Cristy Li

Saint Basil the Great (329-379) Image Courtesy: Pinterest

(CNA) Saint Basil, one of the most distinguished Doctors of the Church and Bishop of Ceasarea was one of ten children of St. Basil the Elder and St. Emmelia according to Independent Catholic News, several of his brothers and sisters are also honored among the Saints.

Saint Basil ranks afters Althanasius as a defender of the Asian Church against the heresies of the 4th century, especially Aryanism which denied the divine nature of Jesus Christ.

With his friend ‘Gregory of Nazianzus’ and his brother Gregory of Nyssa, he is part of the trio known as ‘The Three Cappadocians’  of which he was the most important in practical genius and theological writings, rightly placing him as one of the greatest teachers of the Church.

Basil resisted pressure from the Emperor Valens, who wanted to keep him in silence and admit the heretics to communion. No wonder when the Great St. Althanasius died, the responsibility of being the defender of the faith against Aryanism fell upon Basil.

Seventy two years after Basil’s death the Council of Chalcedon described him as ‘the great Basil, minister of grace who has expounded the truth to the whole earth.”

More here from Franciscan Media

Saint Egwin –Image: Catholic Prayer@Twitter

(Franciscan Media) You say that you’re not familiar with Saint Egwin?  Chances are you’re not alone, unless you are especially informed about Benedictine Bishops who established monasteries in medieval England.

Born of royal blood in the 7th Century, Egwin entered a monastery and was enthusiastically received by royalty, clergy and the people as the Bishop of Worcester, England and as a Bishop, he was known as a protector of orphans, the widowed and a fair judge–who could argue with that?

Egwin’s popularity did not hold up among members of the clergy however, they saw him as overly strict, while he believed that he was simply trying to correct abuses and impose appropriate disciplines. Bitter resentments arose and Egwin made his way to Rome to present his case to Pope Constantine–the case against Egwin was examined and annulled. 

Upon his return to England, he founded Evesham Abbey  which became one of the great Benedictine house of medieval England. It was dedicated to Mary who reportedly had made it known to Egwin just where a Church should be built in her honor–

Egwin died at the Abbey on the 30 December, 717 Following his burial, many miracles were attributed to him: The blind could see, the deaf could hear and the sick were healed.

More here on St. Egwin and Evesham Abbey –Benedictines Stanbrook

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas, Visit: -USCCB

St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170)
Image Courtesy: —Aquinas and More

(Franciscan Media) Today is the 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas and we remember St.Thomas Becket, the other Thomas that was martyred for Jesus Christ.

A strong who wavered but for a moment but then learned that one cannot come to terms with evil and so he became a strong churchman, a martyr and a Saint–Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury murdered in his Cathedral on the 29 December, 1170

Thomas Becket’s career began as a stormy one–While Archdeacon of Canterbury he was made Chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II when Henry felt it advantageous to make his Chancellor the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him fair warning, he might not accept all of Henry’s intrusions into Church affairs nevertheless, he was made Archbishop (in 1162) and resigned his Chancellorship and reformed his whole way of life.

Troubles followed, Henry insisted on usurping Church rights–at one time supposing some conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to compromise and momentarily approved the ‘Constitutions of Clarendon’ which would have denied the Clergy the right of trial by a Church Court and prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome but Thomas, rejected the ‘Constitutions’ fled to France for safety and remained in exile for seven years.

When Thomas returned to England in 1170 he suspected it would mean certain death because he refused to remit censures, Thomas placed upon Bishops favored by King Henry who cried out in a rage: “Will no one rid me of this troublesome Priest.”

Four knights taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury Cathedral.

In 1173 Thomas was canonized–In July the following year, King Henry in an attempt to calm a public revolt, did a public penance at St.Thomas’ tomb which became a pilgrimage for the faithful.

More here on St. Thomas Becket from Catholic Online

St. Thomas Becket: A Saint For This Season – Natl Catholic Register

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas, Visit: -USCCB

St. John the Apostle –Image Courtesy: CNA@Twitter

(Franciscan Media) It is God who calls, humans answer–The vocation of John and his brother James is stated very simply in the Gospels, along with that of Peter and his brother Andrew, Jesus called them and they followed.

The absoluteness of their response is indicated by the account–James and John “were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, He called them and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed Him.” —Matthew 4:21-22

For the three former Fishermen, Peter, James and John, that faith was to be rewarded by a special friendship with Jesus. They alone were present at the Transfiguration, the raising of the daughter of Jairus and the agony in Gethsemane but John’s friendship was even more special–tradition assigns to him the 4th Gospel, although most modern scripture scholars think its unlikely the Apostle and the Evangelist are the same person.

John’s own Gospel refers to him as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” —John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2 The one who reclined to Jesus at the ‘Last Supper’ and the one to whom He gave the exquisite honor, as he stood beneath the Cross, of caring for his Mother. ‘When Jesus saw his Mother and the disciple who he loved standing near, He said, “Behold your Mother” and from that hour the disciple took Her to his own home.’ —John 19:26-27

As a result of the depth of the Gospel, John is usually thought of as the ‘Eagle of Theology’ soaring in high regions that other writers did not enter but the ever frank Gospels reveal some very human traits: Jesus gave James and John the nickname “Sons of Thunder.” (Mark 3:17)

Related: Feast of Saint John the Apostle & Evangelist –USCCB

St John of Kanty (1390-1473) Image Courtesy: Catholic Online

(Franciscan Media) John was a country lad who made good in the big city and the big University of Krakow (Poland) after brilliant studies, he was ordained a Priest and became a Professor of Theology.

The inevitable opposition which Saints encounter, led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish Priest at Olkusz–an extreme humble man, he did his best but his best was not to the liking of his parishioners, besides he was afraid of the responsibilities of his position but in the end, he won the people’s hearts. After sometime, he returned to Krakow and taught the scripture for the rest of his life.

A serious man and humble, John was known to the poor of Krakow for his kindness, his goods and his money, were always at their disposal and time and again, they took advantage of him. John would only keep the money and clothes absolutely needed to support himself, he slept little and then on the floor, he ate sparingly and took no meat.

John made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem hoping to be martyred by the Turks, he made four pilgrimages to Rome, carrying his luggage on his back. When he was warned to look after his health, he was quick to point out that, for all their austerity, the fathers of the desert lived remarkably long lives.

John of Kanty is a typical Saint, he was kind, humble and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Many Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except for the last:

Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers–Christmas is a good time at least to reject self-indulgence.

Saint John of Kanty is the patron Saint of Teachers, Students, Priests and Pilgrims according to uCatholic Pope John Paul II drew much inspiration at the grave of his Patron Saint of learning. It was no surprise therefore, during his 1997 pilgrimage to Poland, he once more prayed at Saint John of Kanty’s tomb and it was there during a special gathering with professors from the Jagiellonian-both his and Saint John of Kanty’s alma-mater, he alluded to the Master from Kanty when he stated: “Knowledge and wisdom seek a covenant with holiness.”

More here on Saint John of Kanty from –365 Rosaries