FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Sunday 8th June : PENTECOST SUNDAY
The Church was made manifest to the world on the day of Pentecost by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit ushers in a new era in the dispensation of the mystery - the age of the Church, during which Christ manifests, makes present and communicates his work of salvation through the liturgy of his Church "until he comes".
On the first day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and upon Mary and filled them with his power. Today we remember that moment and we open ourselves again to the gift of that same Holy Spirit. In that Spirit we are baptised. In that Spirit we are confirmed. In that Spirit we are called to share in the mission of Christ. In that Spirit we shall indeed become the People of Pentecost, the apostles of our time. "Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love". Amen.
Pope St. John Paul II, Pentecost, Coventry, 30 May 1982
Monday 9th June : St. Columba (Colum Cille)
One of the three Patron Saints of Ireland along with St. Patrick and St. Brigid.
Abbot & Missionary.
Born in Gartan, Co. Donegal in 521 of royal lineage. He studied under St. Finnian of Moville and St. Finnian of Clonard. He founded monasteries in Derry, Durrow, Iona and possibly Kells. He left Ireland, either for penance or to be a pilgrim for Christ, but Iona became his principal foundation. From it missionaries undertook the conversion of Northumbria. Columba is noted for his great love for people and for all living creatures. He died 9 June 597.
A Prayer of St. Columba:
My dearest Lord,
Be thou a bright flame before me,
a guiding star above me,
a smooth path beneath me,
a kindly shepherd behind me,
today, tonight and for evermore. Amen.
Tuesday 10th June : St. Ephrem the Syrian
He was a native of Misibis in Mesopotamia, and became a monk and deacon near Edessa in modern Turkey. He wrote commentaries on scripture and several hymns which were later included in the liturgy, he defended the faith against Arianism and encouraged devotion to Our Lady.
Wednesday 11th June : St. Barnabas
Born on the island of Cyprus. He was one of the first converts in Jerusalem and preached at Antioch. He became a companion of St. Paul and went with him on his first missionary journey, and he took part in the Council of Jerusalem. He returned to his native land to preach the Gospel and there he died.
(He is invoked in the Canon of the Mass - Eucharistic Prayer 1)
Friday 13th June : St. Anthony of Padua
Born Fernando Martins in Lisbon, Portugal. At the age of 15 he asked to be sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, the then capital of Portugal. There he studied theology and Latin. Following his ordination to the priesthood, he remained in the abbey until Franciscan friars settled a small hermitage outside Coimbra dedicated to St. Anthony of Egypt, Fernando felt a longing to join them. When he was admitted, he changed his name to Anthony. He travelled to Morocco to spread God's truth, but became sick and was returned to Portugal to recover. The return voyage was blown off-course and he arrived in Sicily, from which he travelled to Tuscany He was assigned to the hermitage of San Paolo. Francis of Assisi entrusted his friars' pursuits of studies to Anthony. He had a book of psalms that contained notes and comments to help when teaching students - he greatly valued this book. A novice stole it when leaving the hermitage, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned. The culprit did return the book and in fact returned to the Order as well. The book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna. He died in Padua in 1231 and was canonised less then one year afterward by Pope Gregory IX.
Saturday 14th June : St. Davnet
She lived and died at Tydavnet at Sliabh Beagh, Co. Monaghan. Tradition speaks of St. Davnet as a virgin and founder of a church or monastery. A bachall (staff) said to have been hers has been preserved and in the past it was used as a test of truth.