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Feast of the Baptism of the Lord - Final Day of the Christmas season Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/9/22 Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Saturday after Epiphany Saint of the Day: St. Apollinaris; Second Century bishop who wrote a defense of the faith to the emperor, Marcus Aurelius; he reminded the emperor of the favor he had received from God--water for his perishing Twelfth Legion--through the prayers of the Christian soldiers Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/8/22 Gospel: John 3:22-30

Friday after Epiphany Optional Memorial of St. Raymond of Pennafort, 1175-1275; born in Spain, a relative of the King of Aragon; finished studies early and became a teacher, but gave it up to join the Dominicans; along with King James of Aragon and St. Peter Nolasco, he founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom, who were devoted to saving poor Christians captured by Moors Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/7/22 Gospel: Luke 5:12-16

Thursday after Epiphany Saint of the Day: St. Peter of Canterbury; Benedictine monk who accompanied St. Augustine of Canterbury on his mission to England in 597; became the first abbot of the Canterbury monastery Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/6/22 Gospel: Luke 4:14-22

Memorial of St. John Neumann, 1811-1860; born in what is now the Czech Republic, and came to New York at 25; ordained a priest, and joined the Redemptorists; did missionary work in Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio; as bishop of Philadelphia, he organized the parochial school system into a diocesan one, and drew many teaching religious to the city Wednesday after Epiphany Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/5/22 Gospel: Mark 6:45-52

Memorial of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821; founded the first American religious community for women; opened the first American parish school; established the first American Catholic orphanage; first American-born citizen to be canonized a saint Tuesday after Epiphany Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/4/22 Gospel: Mark 6:34-444

Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Monday after Epiphany Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/3/22 Gospel: Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/2/22 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Octave (Eighth Day) of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/1/22 Gospel: Luke 2:16-21

Seventh Day of Christmas Optional Memorial of Pope St. Sylvester I; pope from 314 to 335; preserved the essential independence of the Church in the face of Emperor Constantine; died 335 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/31/21 Gospel: John 1:1-18

Sixth Day of Christmas Saint of the Day: St. Egwin; bishop of Worcester, England, in the Seventh Century; known as a protector of orphans and the widowed, and a fair judge; founded Evesham Abbey, where he died December 30, 717 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/30/21 Gospel: Luke 2:36-40

Fifth Day of Christmas Optional Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, 1118-1170; originally a friend of King Henry II, as Archbishop of Canterbury he opposed Henry's intrusion into Church affairs; slain in Canterbury Cathedral by four of King Henry's knights Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/29/21 Gospel: Luke 2:22-35

Feast of the Holy Innocents: In an effort to rid himself of what believed to be a rival, the "newborn king of the Jews," Herod ordered the massacre of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years and under. Fourth Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/28/21 Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

Feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist, 6-100 A.D.; author of the fourth Gospel, along with three New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation; in his own Gospel, he identifies himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Third Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/27/21 Gospel: John 20:1-8

Feast of the Holy Family Second Day of Christmas Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/26/21 Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/25/21 Gospel: Matthew 1:1-25

Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent - Christmas Eve Saint of the Day: St. Adele; daughter of King Dagobert II of Germany; became a nun on the death of her husband; founded a convent near Trier, and became its first abbess; apparently a disciple of St. Boniface, the apostle of Germany Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/24/21 Gospel: Luke 1:67-79

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent Optional Memorial of St. John Cantius, 1390-1473; educated at the University of Cracow; popular preacher and parish priest; famous for his austerities and care for the poor; patron of Poland, Lithuania, and the University of Cracow Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/23/21 Gospel: Luke 1:57-66

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Saint of the Day: St. Zeno; soldier at Nicomedia (modern Turkey); seized and condemned to death for laughing while Emperor Diocletian offered a sacrifice to the Roman god Ceres; Zeno's jaws were shattered, and he was beheaded in 303 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/22/21 Gospel: Luke 1:46-56

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent Optional Memorial of St. Peter Canisius, 1521-1597; received a masters degree at 19, and joined the Society of Jesus; became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great; attended several session of the Council of Trent, and was assigned to implement its decrees; entrusted with the mission to Germany, from that point on, his life's work; taught in several university, instrumental in establishing many colleges and seminaries Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 12/21/21 Gospel: Luke 1:39-45