People often think that Old Testament characters are not saints, or at least, they don’t have feasts in the Church’s calendar. Not so! The Church’s definitive list of feast days, a prayer book called the Martyrology, has lots of names from both the Old and New Testaments. I want to promote these biblical saints through this blog, and I’ve decided to kick it off with an affectionate nod to my older brother, Josh. Happy nameday, Josh!
Normally the Martyrology for a given day is prayed the day before, so here’s the entry for tomorrow:
September 1.
The commemoration of Saint Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, who, when Moses had imposed hands on him, was filled with the spirit of wisdom and after Moses’ death miraculously led Israel through the Jordan River into the promised land.
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May Holy Mary and all the saints intercede to the Lord for us, that we may merit to be helped and saved by him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
V. Precious in the sight of the Lord
R. Is the death of his holy ones.
V. May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in pace.
R. Amen
V. Go in peace.
R. Thanks be to God.
[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]
