• St. Apollinaris of Hieropolis, the Apologist (175). Bishop. (Historical) He wrote two books against the Jews, five against the pagans, and two on Truth.
• St. Lucian of Antioch (312). Martyr, Priest. (Historical)
• St. Raymond of Peñafort (Penyafort) (1275). Patron or Patroness, Priest, Religious. Patron of canon lawyers. (Current)

ST. LUCIAN was born at Samosata, in Syria. Having lost his parents in his youth, he distributed all his worldly goods, of which he inherited an abundant share, to the poor, and withdrew to Edessa, to live near a holy man, named Macarius, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having be come a priest, his time was divided between the external duties of his holy state, the performance of works of charity, and the study of sacred literature. He revised the books of the Old and New Testament, expunging the errors which had found their way into the text either through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics, thus preparing the way for St. Jerome, who shortly after was to give to the world the Latin translation known as “The Vulgate.”

Having been denounced as a Christian, Lucian was thrown into prison and condemned to the torture, which was protracted for twelve whole days. Some Christians visited him in prison, on the feast of the Epiphany, and brought bread and wine to him; while bound and chained down on his back, he consecrated the divine mysteries upon his own breast, and communicated the faithful who were present. He finished his glorious career in prison, and died with the words, “I am a Christian,” on his lips.

REFLECTION: If we would keep our faith pure, we must study its holy truths. We cannot detect falsehood till we know and love the truth; and to us the truth is not an abstraction, but a Person, Jesus Christ, God and Man.

WORD OF THE DAY

BORROW. To receive something from a person on loan, with the understanding that it is returned to the owner. On Catholic moral principles the one who borrows assumes three main duties: proper care of the commodity loaned; keeping within the terms of the contract or even unspoken agreement; restoration of what was borrowed to the owner within a reasonable time or at the end of the term agreed upon.

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!)

Christmastide Meditations

Daily devotional meditations on the Birth of Our Savior and Christmastide: The Magi – Christmas Meditation Day 14 (Jan 7)