Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Edmund Campion (1540-1581)

Saint Edmund Campion was born in London, England. He was extremely bright, and was given a scholarship to Saint John's College, Oxford, when he was only 15 years old. Edmund was raised a Catholic, but chose to become an Anglican deacon. After his decision, he was plagued with doubts about Anglicanism, and eventually returned to the Catholic faith. He decided to rejoin Catholicism during the Protestant persecution of Catholics in 16th-century England. Edmund was very wily, and managed to avoid capture through a number of close escapes, disguises, and sheer luck. Eventually, his whereabouts were given to the Anglicans by a traitor at one of his secret Masses. He was charged under fabricated accounts of treason, but was truly sentenced for being a priest. He was sentenced to be hanged, and refused to apostatize when offered numerous incentives to do so. Like Saint Thomas More, Saint Edmund died acknowledging his loyalty to the crown, but his greater commitment to God. Saint Edmund Campion was canonized in 1970.

Reflection

Everyone makes mistakes, even saints. Saint Edmund Campion left the Catholic faith, but was welcomed back with open arms by God when he realized his mistake, and rejoined Catholicism. Think about recent mistakes that you have made. If you haven't already, seek God's forgiveness. Ask God to direct your life so that you can be a more repentant sinner.

Prayer

Holy Friend, thank you for loving us so much that you continually call us back to you. Direct me in my life today so that I can become that one repentant sinner. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Gospel

The Christian life is one of vigilance. To be vigilant is to be attentive, alert, and on the look-out, but sometimes we lose track of why we are being attentive! Right after Jesus ascended into Heaven, His followers thought His second coming was going to happen within just a few years. Now it's been over 2,000 years, and His second coming still has not happened! After two millennia, it is hard to keep watch with the same intensity that the early Christians had - whole weeks and months can pass by without ever thinking of preparing ourselves for Christ's second coming! Despite the 2,000 years that have passed, it is still important to practice vigilance. We can be alert by praying daily, receiving the sacraments, doing good deeds, and loving God and others with all our heart. Being vigilant does not mean drinking lots of caffeine in order to stay awake - it means living out the Christian life with integrity and completeness.