St Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church - Holiday Florida

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Reading 1: Acts of Apostles 14:5-18, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 115:15-16, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 115:1-4, Gospel: John 14:21-26

Image: Saint John Damaskinos | unknown

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Saint of the Day for December 4

(c. 676 -749)

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Saint John Damascene’s Story

John spent most of his life in the Monastery of Saint Sabas near Jerusalem, and all of his life under Muslim rule, indeed protected by it.

He was born in Damascus, received a classical and theological education, and followed his father in a government position under the Arabs. After a few years, he resigned and went to the Monastery of Saint Sabas.

He is famous in three areas:

First, he is known for his writings against the iconoclasts, who opposed the veneration of images. Paradoxically, it was the Eastern Christian emperor Leo who forbade the practice, and it was because John lived in Muslim territory that his enemies could not silence him.

Second, he is famous for his treatise, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, a summary of the Greek Fathers, of which he became the last. It is said that this book is for Eastern schools what the Summa of Aquinas became for the West.

Third, he is known as a poet, one of the two greatest of the Eastern Church, the other being Romanus the Melodist. His devotion to the Blessed Mother and his sermons on her feasts are well known.

Saint John Damascene's liturgical feast is celebrated on April 30.

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Reflection

John defended the Church’s understanding of the veneration of images and explained the faith of the Church in several other controversies. For over 30 years, he combined a life of prayer with these defenses and his other writings. His holiness expressed itself in putting his literary and preaching talents at the service of the Lord.

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Reading 1: Acts of Apostles 9:26-31, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22:26-28, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 22:30-32, Gospel: John 15:1-8, Reading 2: 1 John 3:18-24

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment. While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, Your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: "They have ...

Reading 1: Acts of Apostles 13:44-52, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1-4, Gospel: John 14:7-14

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Before the closing of the day, Creator, we Thee humbly pray, That, for Thy wonted mercy's sake, Thou us under protection take. May nothing in our minds excite Vain dreams and phantoms of the night; Our enemies repress, that so Our bodies no uncleanness know. In this, most gracious Father, hear, With Christ, Thy equal Son, our prayer; Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, Doth live and reign eternally. Amen.

Reading 1: Acts of Apostles 13:26-33, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 2:6-11, Gospel: John 14:1-6

Reading 1: 1 Peter 5:5-14, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89:16-17, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89:2-3, Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89:6-7, Gospel: Mark 16:15-20