- taught the orthodox Catholic faith in the face of heresy and schism
- taught that the sign of the Cross was given to him by the Lord
- cared for the poor and expected the clergy to do the same
- cared for those in the Order of Virgins and Widows
- determined that bishops had the exclusive right to consecrate chrism
- instructed priests, when baptizing, also were to anoint with chrism
- determined that deacons were to wear the dalmatic with a linen maniple
- determined that bread was to be consecrated as Eucharist only a linen corporal
- determined those ordained should be stable in that order before taking a higher order
- instructed the laity should not sue the clergy
- instructed the clergy should not sue another in civil court
- called the 1st and 7th days of the week the "Lord's Day" and the "Sabbath"
- among the first use the word "feria" (a free day) for weekdays of the liturgical calendar without a commemoration.
Saints: December 2010 Archives
The Pope spoke on Sunday at the Angelus on the great foster father of Jesus and the patron saint against doubt, cabinetmakers, Canada, carpenters, China, confectioners, craftsmen, dying people, engineers, families, fathers, happy death, holy death, house hunters, Korea, laborers, Mexico, New France, people in doubt, Peru, pioneers, protector of the Church, social justice, travelers, Universal Church, Vatican II, Viet Nam, workers, working people. AND now the Pope adds pastors to this list under Saint Joseph's care.
At Sunday's Angelus Pope Benedict XVI had this to say about Saint Joseph:
The Byzantine Church honors many Old Testament prophets and holy people that the Church in the West recognizes but does not commemorate in the sacred Liturgy, though the Roman Martyrology noted the holy youths yesterday. I actually think we ought to honor the OT figures as saints in our Liturgy, but greater minds will have to make that decision. Being faithful to the Divine Office you'll recall that we pray the Canticle of the Three Youths (Daniel 3:57-88; 56) at Lauds at Sunday I. The pertinent section of the canticle follows:
In your patience, O Lucy, you possessed your soul; you have hated the things of this world, O bride of Christ, and so received glory among the angels; you vanquished the adversary, O martyr, with your own blood.
(Magnificat Antiphon, First Vespers of St. Lucy)
Today is a good day to remember in prayer before Saint Lucy the people of Sicily, those who live with blindness, diseases of the eye, salesmen and for my friend and seminarian Ken Dagliere on his birthday.
The patristic reading in the Office of Readings (in the Divine Office) there is a beautiful letter from Saint Ambrose about governance and the use of words. Wouldn't be good to heed Ambrose's exhortation about relying on the guidance of the Church as the surest sign of God's faithfulness, in keeping our words clean, reflective and full of meaning? Ambrose's letter bears thinking about today. Let us keep in prayer today the Church in which Ambrose lived and worked, the Archdiocese of Milan.
You have entered upon the office of bishop. Sitting at the helm of the Church, you pilot the ship against the waves. Take firm hold of the rudder of faith so that the severe storms of this world cannot disturb you. The sea is mighty and vast, but do not be afraid, for as Scripture says: he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church's foundation is unshakeable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress. Although the Church is tossed about on the sea, it rides easily on rivers, especially those rivers that Scripture speaks of: The rivers have lifted up their voice. These are the rivers flowing from the heart of the man who is given drink by Christ and who receives from the Spirit of God. When these rivers overflow with the grace of the Spirit, they lift up their voice.
Courage in Your servant's soul,
We here gathered sing the praise of
One who bravely reached heav'n's goal.
Claiming Christ as only Savior,
Scorning those with evil planned,
Now with white-robed brilliance vested,
Near Your throne she finds her stand.
How to love and serve Your Name
That our hearts may not be conquered
By our fears or love of fame.
As she loved You to her last breath,
Give us strength to faithful be,
That our witness may be fearless
And our lives unfeigned and free.
Glory be to God, the Son,
Glory be to God, the Spirit:
Glory to the Three-in-One!
From the virgin choirs of heaven
And from tempted saints below,
Endless hymns and praise unceasing
Shall from all our hearts e'er flow.
J. Michael Thompson, © copyright.