FIRST FRIDAY

• St. Gerald (1109). Bishop. (Historical)
• St. Sabbas (532). Abbot or Abbess. (Traditional)

ST. SABAS, one of the most renowned patriarchs of the monks of Palestine, was born in the year 439, near Cæsarea. In order to settle a dispute which had arisen between some of his relations, in regard to the administration of his estate, while still young, he forsook the world and entered a monastery, wherein he became a model of fervor. When Sabas had been ten years in this monastery, being eighteen years old, he went to Jerusalem to visit the holy places, and attached himself to a monastery then under control of St. Euthymius, but on the death of the holy abbot our Saint sought the wilderness, where he chose his dwelling in a cave on the top of a high mountain, at the bottom of which ran the brook Cedron. After he had lived here five years, several came to him, desiring to serve God under his direction. He was at first unwilling to consent, but finally founded a new monastery of persons all desirous to devote themselves to praise and serve God without interruption. His great sanctity becoming known, he was ordained priest, at the age of fifty-three, by the patriarch of Jerusalem and made Superior-General of all the anchorites of Palestine. He lived to be ninety-four, and died on the 5th of December, 532.

WORD OF THE DAY

BENEVOLENCE. The virtue that disposes a person to promote the welfare of others. As the love of benevolence, it is the charity that seeks what is good for the sake of the one loved, in comparison with the love of concupiscence, whereby good is sought for the benefit of the one who loves. (Etym. Latin benevolentia, good-will, benevolence.)

See also LOVE.

Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)

Advent & The Great Truths

Advent: Short Meditations and The Great Truths Day 9 (Dec 5) The Fulfillment of the Decree & God the End of our Life