Saint Joseph Catholic Church

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The Church celebrates the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom (347-407). St. John was born in Antioch. His powerful eloquence earned him the surname of Chrysostom, or golden mouthed. With St. Athanasius, St. Gregory Nazianzen and St. Basil, he forms the group of the four great doctors of the Eastern Church. As Archbishop of Constantinople, his courageous stance against the vices of even the wealthy caused him to be exiled several times. As a result he died in 407, still in exile. In 1204 his relics were brought to St. Peter's in Rome. Some of the relics were returned to the Orthodox on November 27, 2004 by Pope Saint John Paul II. His silver and jewel-encrusted skull is now kept in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos in northern Greece, and is credited by Christians with miraculous healings. His right hand is also preserved on Mount Athos, and numerous smaller relics are scattered throughout the world.

On this day dedicated to the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary let us repeat that wonderful prayer of Saint Bernard, responding to Pope Benedict XVI's invitation to "invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. Saint Bernard says, and we say with him: 'Look to the star of the sea, call upon Mary … in danger, in distress, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May her name never be far from your lips, or far from your heart … If you follow her, you will not stray; if you pray to her, you will not despair; if you turn your thoughts to her, you will not err. If she holds you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you need not fear; if she is your guide, you will not tire; if she is gracious to you, you will surely reach your destination"' (Benedict XVI, address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, September 9, 2007).

The Vatican press office has provided a partial explanation of the announcement, issued earlier this week, the Pope Leo XIV has created a new diocese in Zhangjiakou, China.

The Chinese Patriotic Association had created a “Diocese of Zhangjiakou” in 1980, without the approval of the Holy See. By formally establishing the diocese, which covers the territory of the city of Zhangjiakou, the Vatican allowed for the installation of a bishop, Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui, whose authority is now recognized by both the Chinese regime and the Holy See. An auxiliary, Bishop Joseph Ma Yan’en, is also recognized by both.

In what apparently a reciprocal gesture, the Chinese government has finally recognized the episcopal authority of Bishop Augustine Cui Tai, who for years had been subject to harassment because of his affiliation with the “underground” Catholic Church. However Bishop Cui Tai is now retired, having reached the age of 75, and the Xuanhua diocese that he led has been folded into the new Zhangjiakou diocese.

In the earlier announcement of the changes, the Vatican had stressed that the moves were made within “the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.”

The Roman Martyrology commemorates the martyrs Saints Protus and Hyacinth (d. 257). They were Romans by birth, brothers and servants in the house of St. Basilla. They were burned alive around 257, during the persecution of Valerian and Gallian. St. Hyacinth is unique among Roman martyrs in that his epitaph and grave in the cemetery of Basilla on the Old Salarian Way were found intact in modern time (1845); in it were the charred bones of the martyr, who had been put to death by fire. Part of the empty tomb of St. Protus was also found.

Today the Roman Martyrology commemorates:

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Peter Claver (1581-1654), who was born of a distinguished family in Catalonia, Spain. He became a Jesuit in 1604, and left for Colombia in 1610, dedicating himself to the service of black slaves. For thirty-three years he ministered to slaves, caring for the sick and dying, and instructing the slaves through catechists. Through his efforts three hundred thousand souls entered the Church. He is the Patron of the African Missions, proclaimed in 1896 by Pope Leo XIII.

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Roman Martyrology states Mary was "of the lineage of Abraham, born of the tribe of Judah and of the progeny of King David, from whom the Son of God was born, made man by the work of the Holy Spirit, to free humanity from the ancient bondage of sin."

Gospel Excerpt, Luke 14:25-33: Jesus turned and addressed them, "If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

The Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Eleutherius, abbot (d. 585) of St. Mark's monastery near Spoleto in the Italian province of Perugia, he was the friend of St. Gregory who mentions him several times in his Dialogues. He died around the year 585.