Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

Saint Francis Xavier was born to a noble family of the Kingdom of Navarre in what is modern-day Spain. Giving up a promising career as a professor of philosophy, he joined Saint Ignatius of Loyola to become one of the original members of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits. Leaving Europe in 1541, Francis spent the rest of his life as a missionary, working in Mozambique, India, southeastern Asia, and Japan. He baptized and taught the basics of the faith to thousands of people and planned to evangelize China, but died on an island just off the mainland. Francis preferred to live and work among the poor, often ministering to the sick in addition to his preaching. Like Saint Paul, he changed his methods of presenting the faith to suit his audience. He taught people at their level of understanding by teaching catechism, for example, to children using rhyming verses set to popular tunes. He also engaged in theological and philosophical discussions with the more educated. His ministry was accompanied at times by miraculous signs, including the gift of healing. (Taken from "The Church: Christ in the World Today.")

Reflection

Saint Francis Xavier gave up his promising career as a professor of philosophy to join his friend, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in establishing the Jesuits. Would you give up your blossoming career to follow God's call into the unknown? Ask God to help you make decisions in your life that will lead you closer to him.

Prayer

O God, we need to choose the way of faithfulness, the way that leads to you, each day. Let me take the steps necessary to make sure I am on the way to you today. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Reading 1

Nearly fifty years ago, Pope Paul VI went to the United Nations and said: "No more war! War never again!" Yet wars continue to go on and on: military wars between nations, violence in our towns and cities, wars of words between people. It seems we almost get used to it and think of it as normal. But it doesn't have to be this way. In Colorado a little boy was given a free toy army tank when his mother bought him a hamburger in a fast-food restaurant, and he had no idea what it was. Imagine a world in which that is true of everyone! Start a peace awareness campaign. E-mail your local radio and television stations and encourage them to feature stories of people working for peace. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)

Meditation for Gospel

Do the words of the centurion said so many centuries ago sound familiar? They are the basis for the words we say at Mass before Communion. Imagine if the words you said yesterday would be repeated in public for generations. Is there anything you would wish you hadn't said? The words we say may not affect generations of people, but they do impact those who are close to us. And once something is said, we cannot take it back, and even our regret and apologies cannot erase the sting of hurtful or ill-chosen words. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)