• St. Lucy (304). Martyr, Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of blind, Italy, & Syracuse. (Current, Traditional)
• St. Odilia (Adilia) (720). Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of Alsace, invoked against blindness. (Historical)

THE mother of St. Lucy suffered four years from an issue of blood, and the help of man failed. St. Lucy reminded her mother that a woman in the Gospel had been healed of the same disorder. “St. Agatha,” she said, “stands ever in the sight of Him for whom she died. Only touch her sepulchre with faith, and you will be healed.” They spent the night praying by the tomb, till, overcome by weariness, both fell asleep. St. Agatha appeared in vision to St. Lucy, and calling her sister, foretold her mother’s recovery and her own martyrdom. That instant the cure was effected; and in her gratitude the mother allowed her daughter to distribute her wealth among the poor, and consecrate her virginity to Christ. A young man to whom she had been promised in marriage, accused her as a Christian to the heathen; but our Lord, by a special miracle, saved from outrage this virgin whom He had chosen for His own. The fire kindled around her did her no hurt. Then the sword was plunged into her heart, and the promise made at the tomb of St. Agatha was fulfilled.

REFLECTION: The Saints had to bear sufferings and temptations greater far than yours. How did they overcome them? By the love of Christ. Nourish this pure love by meditating on the mysteries of Christ’s life; and, above all, by devotion to the Holy Eucharist, which is the antidote against sin and the pledge of eternal life.

WORD OF THE DAY

IMPANATION. A heretical doctrine or theory of the Eucharist presence, taught by some of the Protestant Reformers. It claims that the words of consecration do not change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Rather the substance of bread and wine remains, along with some kind of indefinable presence of Christ. Originally taught by Osiander (1498-1552), a disciple of Luther, it was one of the many attempts of the Reformers to retain some kind of “real presence” in the Eucharist while denying transubstantiation. (Etym. Latin in-, in + panis, bread.)

See also CONSUBSTANTIATION.

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 17 (Dec 13) The Signs of His Coming & The Eternity of Hell