January Saints

Feast: January 13
Hilary of Poitiers, who lived in the 4^th century, was named a doctor of the church by Pope Pius IX in 1851. His orthodoxy won him numerous foes, and he is called “The Athanasius of the West” for his staunch and then unpopular defense of the faith against Arianism. He also is a leading theologian of the Trinity, articulating with subtlety and clarity the three persons of the Godhead. He writes in “On the Trinity” (I.6): “There is no space where God is not; space does not exist apart from Him. He is in heaven, in hell, beyond the seas; dwelling in all things and enveloping all. Thus He embraces, and is embraced by, the universe, confined to no part of it but pervading all.”

Feast: January 15
Gregory the Great relates the story of Maurus being dispatched by Benedict to save the drowning Placid, sprinting across the water to offer Placid a hand, and carrying him to safety. Both attribute the miracle to Benedict’s vision and intercession. Most of what we know of these two early disciples of Benedict is from legend. They were the first “oblati,” presented to Benedict at a young age and raised under his guidance both at Subiaco and Monte Cassino. The land for the monastery at Monte Cassino is said to have been given to Benedict by Placid’s father, and Placid accompanied Benedict when he moved there. Maurus is said to have been given the grace of miracles, and has a special patronage not only of oblates, but also of the sick.

Feast: January 17
This early desert father holds many names: The Great, The Abbot, The Anchorite – The Father of All Monks. He spent many years in self-imposed eremitic isolation before serving as spiritual guide and abbot to the many who had come to reside near him. His first biographer was St. Athanasius, a younger contemporary who shared Anthony’s opposition to Arianism. Anthony famously underwent numerous temptations, depicted provocatively in the history of art, as by Bosch, Cezanne, Dali, and others. He is revered throughout monasticism, and particularly in the Coptic Church.

January 21

We know little of this young 4^th century Roman martyr, who was said to have been a beautiful girl. She is the patron of girls, and of chastity and purity. Her name resembles “agnus,” lamb, and she is revered for her steadfast and innocent trust in God. It is on her feast day that the pope traditionally blesses lambs whose wool is used to make palliums for new metropolitan archbishops. The pallium worn by the metropolitans on their shoulders over their chasuble is a white wool vestment, emblazoned with six black silk crosses. The practice dates back to at least the fifth century (Catholic News Agency).

Pope Francis blesses lambs on feast of Agnes

January 23

Vincent of Zaragossa, deacon, patron of Lisbon and of Valencia, Protomartyr of Spain, like Agnes died under the Diocletian Persecution, suffering severe tortures in defense of the faith. With Stephen and Lawrence, Vincent is revered as one of the three most illustrious deacons in the church’s history. An account of his martyrdom reports: “Vincent’s invincible spirit, strengthened by its faith and hope in Christ Jesus, overcame all their efforts; and after triumphing over fire, and sword, and all his tortures, took his flight to heaven, there to receive the crown of martyrdom.”

January 24

This late-Reformation bishop of Geneva was known for his forbearance and his persistent care for the faithful, guiding many back into communion with Rome. The 19^th century saw a flourishing of religious institutions inspired by his spiritual teaching. He is author of the spiritual classic, Introduction to a Devout Life, and source of numerous inspirational quotations, such as: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength; Have patience with all things but first of all with yourself; Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly.”

January 25

Every January the Church commemorates an event which proved a turning point in the history of Christendom: this is the feast day which celebrates the conversion of Saint Paul on his celebrated journey to Damascus - the first of three notable conversions in the history of the Church, which have had a powerful and lasting effect on the Church’s life and development. For each of them call was a distinct experience but closely connected with the actual moment or time of conversion. The other two are those of Augustine in the fourth century and of John Henry Newman in the nineteenth century.

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January 27

We learn about Timothy and Titus mostly through the eyes of Paul, or the authors of letters attributed to him, and in light of the concerns for them and their nascent Christian communities expressed in these letters. The letters are called “pastoral” since they view Timothy and Titus as pastors of these communities, and direct them to lead their flock in matters of faith and morals. Timothy was entrusted with the guidance of the community in Ephesus, “in accordance with the prophecies” (1 Tim 1:18) about him. In the Letter to Titus, Paul writes that he entrusted him to “put in order what remained to be done” in Crete. We see depicted in these letters the many difficulties facing these two in their pastoral tasks. In light of these struggles, Pope Benedict XVI writes that these two early saints, “teach us to serve the Gospel with generosity, realizing that this also entails a service to the Church herself.”

Martyrdom of St. Timothy

January 28

The “Prayer before Study” of this great Doctor of the Church is well worth calling to mind: “Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding. Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

January 31

This 19^th century Italian educator, greatly influenced by the writings and spirituality of Francis de Sales, ministered to many of the poor suffering from the ill-effects of the industrialization and social change of his times, particularly in Turin, Italy. He was active in establishing a number of programs dedicated to the service and education of these groups, most notably the Salesian order.