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FEAST OF THE DAY
St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra and lived during the fourth
century. Many of the historical facts of his life have been lost, but
many stories about his charity and holiness still survive. Nicholas
was a native of the city Patara in Lycia, he devoted his life to God
from an early age and entered the monastery at Myra as soon as he
was allowed. Nicholas' charity and holiness were recognized by all,
and after many years in the monastery, he was elected abbot. The
holiness of Nicholas also became known outside his monastery and
when the see of Myra became empty, he was asked to be bishop,
and he filled this role with the charity and holiness that he had
become known for. Nicholas died in Myra around the year 342 and
his relics were buried in the cathedral there.
One of the popular stories about the charity of St. Nicholas that has
survived to our own time concerns three young women of a poor
family. Because of the family's poverty, no dowries could be provided
for the marriages of the three young women. To keep the family from
having to resort to sinful means to raise money, Nicholas donated a
sum of money to each of the women as a dowry. St. Nicholas is the
patron of Russia, Greece, Sicily, and Loraine, of children and of
sailors. His feast is commemorated both in the East and in the West.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
The greatest honor God can do a soul is not to give it much, but to
ask much of it. -St. Therese of Lisieux
TODAY IN HISTORY
963 Pope Leo VIII is elected
1352 Pope Clement VI (born Pierre Roger) dies
1865 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery
1950 Pope Pius XII publishes encyclical "Mirabile illud"
INTENTION FOR THE DAY
Please pray for all students as the academic semester comes to a
close, that they remember to save time for prayer in the midst of their
studies.
INTENTION FOR THE DAY
Please pray through the intercession of St. Vincent de Paul, for all
who are poor.