DECEMBER 16, 2025 – ST. EUSEBIUS, BISHOP.

• St. Adelaide (999). Patron or Patroness. Patroness of large families. (Historical) Queen of Italy
• St. Eusebius of Vercelli (371). Bishop, Martyr. (Traditional)
• Sts. Ananias, Azarias, and Misael (Companions of Daniel). (Historical)

ST. EUSEBIUS was born of a noble family, in the island of Sardinia, where his father is said to have died in prison for the faith. The Saint’s mother carried him and his sister, both infants, to Rome. Eusebius having been ordained, served the Church of Vercelli with such zeal that on the Episcopal chair becoming vacant, he was unanimously chosen, by both clergy and people, to fill it. The holy bishop saw that the best and first means to labor effectually for the edification and sanctification of his people, was to have a zealous clergy. He was at the same time very careful to instruct his flock, and inspire them with the maxims of the Gospel. The force of the truth which he preached, together with his example, brought many sinners to a change of life. He courageously fought against the heretics who had him banished to Scythopolis, and thence to Upper Thebais in Egypt, where he suffered so grievously as to win, in some of the panegyrics in his praise, the title of martyr. He died in the latter part of the year 371.

REFLECTION: The routine of everyday, commonplace duties is No hindrance to a free intimacy with God. He will disclose His hidden ways to you in proportion as you follow your vocation faithfully, whether in the world or the cloister.

WORD OF THE DAY

HOLY FAMILY, DEVOTION TO THE. Although the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is very prominent in the Gospels, popular devotion to them on a large scale began only in the seventeenth century. General confraternities, on an international scale, were created to promote this devotion. Among modern popes Pius IX in 1847 and Leo XIII in 1892 encouraged these organizations and gave them official approval. A number of religious institutes also came into existence, specially dedicated to the apostolate of helping Christian families survive and prosper through devotion to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In the new revised liturgy the Sunday within the octave of Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family, with its own special Mass and Divine Office.

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 20 (Dec 16) The Dangers of the Careless Soul & Death (Advent Meditation)

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