Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Vandals attacked Holy Innocents School in Long Beach, California, desecrating the tabernacle and destroying statues and other objects.

“Statues of the Virgin Mary were smashed—hands and at least one head chopped off,” the Long Beach Post reported. “Prayer books were dumped from bookshelves and strewn across the floor. The tabernacle had been ripped from its chapel, its doors pried partially open.”

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candlemas Day, since the blessing and procession of candles is included in today's liturgy. See the Prayer Section for the full rite of the Procession and Blessing of Candles at Mass.

From the Gospel for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matt 5:10-12).

The Church celebrates the Memorial of St. John Bosco (1815-1888). He was born in Italy, and was the founder of the Salesian Society, named in honor of St. Francis de Sales, and of the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians. His lifework was the welfare of young boys and girls, hence his title, "Apostle of Youth." He had no formal system or theory of education, but rather his methods centered on persuasion, authentic religiosity, and love for young people. He was an enlightened educator and innovator.

The Roman Martyrology has several commemorations, including:

The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Gildas the Wise (516-570), Scottish bishop and author and sometimes listed as Badonicus. He was born in the Clyde River area of Scotland. After becoming a disciple of St. Finnian, Gildas was a hermit for a time in Wales. He was also trained by St. Illtyd. He was famous for writing De Excidiio Britanniae, a Latin work describing moral decline in Britain.

The Universal Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). He is considered the Dominican Order's greatest glory. He taught philosophy and theology with such genius that he is considered one of the leading Christian thinkers. His innocence, on a par with his genius, earned for him the title of "Angelic Doctor."

It is the Optional Memorial of St. Angela Merici (1474-1540). St. Angela was born in northern Italy. In 1516, she founded the Order of Ursulines, the first teaching order for women approved by the Church.

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, Bishops.