Category: Martyrology

September 21

The feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, who, having the cognomen Levi, when left a post as a publican or tax collector when called by Jesus and, chosen to be one of the Apostles, wrote a Gospel which especially proclaims that Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, has fulfilled the Old Testament.

The commemoration of St. Jonah the prophet, son of Amittai, after whom a book of the Old Testament is named and whose famous escape from the stomach of a whale is narrated in the Gospel itself as a sign of the Lord’s resurrection.

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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

[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]

Today we recall two biblical saints, one from the Old Testament and one from the New.  Know anyone named Zach?  Tomorrow is his day!  Know anyone named…um, Onesiphorus?  Well, it’s his day, too.  Here is the Martyrology entry:

September 6

The commemoration of Saint Zechariah the prophet, who prophesied that the people would return from exile into the promised land and bore to it a message about a king of peace, which Christ the Lord wonderfully fulfilled by his triumphant entry into the Holy City Jerusalem.

Likewise the commemoration of Saint Onesiphorus, who often refreshed blessed Paul the Apostle at Ephesus and who was not ashamed of his chains, but having been conveyed to Rome solicitously sought and found him.

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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

[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]

The biblical saint project continues with the man who may be the biggest Old Testament name of all.  Here is the Martyrology entry:

September 4

The commemoration of St. Moses, the prophet, whom God chose to free his people who were oppressed in Egypt and to lead them into the promised land; to whom also he revealed himself at Mount Sinai, saying, “I am who am,” and to whom he gave the law which would govern the live of the chosen people.  This servant of God, full of days, passed away on Mount Nebo in the land of Morab across from 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

[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]

The biblical saints project I began with a nod to my older brother continues with a wave to his wife, Phoebe.  Her name comes up in Romans 16:1, where St. Paul praises her as an exceedingly helpful person.  Here is the Martyrology entry:

September 3

The commemoration of St. Phoebe, a handmaiden of the Lord among the faithful at Cenchreae, who assisted Paul and many others, as Paul himself bears witness in his letter to the Romans.

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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

[To learn about praying this and other Martyrology entries, see this page.]

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.]