Advent: November 29th
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Other Commemorations: St. Saturninus, Martyr (RM)
MASS READINGS
November 29, 2021 (Readings on USCCB website)
COLLECT PRAYER
Monday of the First Week of Advent: Keep us alert, we pray, O Lord our God, as we await the advent of Christ your Son, so that, when he comes and knocks, he may find us watchful in prayer and exultant in his praise. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
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Advent is the time for renewal or repentance for the coming of Christ. "Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart)" (CCC, 1431). Today's Gospel (Matthew 8:5-11) of the Centurion and his servant illustrates both the invitation for all, from both East and West, to come to Christ. The Centurion gives us words for our heart for trust and mercy in his grace, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof: only say the word and my servant will be healed."
Jesse Tree, Day 2 ~ Adam and Eve
Jesse Tree Overview
St. Saturninus
Saturninus went from Rome, by direction of Pope Fabian, about the year 245, to preach the faith in Gaul. He fixed his episcopal see at Toulouse, and thus became the first Christian bishop of that city. There were but few Christians in the place. However, their number grew fast after the coming of the Saint; and his power was felt by the spirits of evil, who received the worship of the heathen. His power was felt the more because he had to pass daily through the capitol, the high place of the heathen worship, on the way to his own church. One day a great multitude was gathered by an altar, where a bull stood ready for the sacrifice. A man in the crowd pointed out Saturninus, who was passing by, and the people would have forced him to idolatry; but the holy bishop answered: "I know but one God, and to Him I will offer the sacrifice of praise. How can I fear gods who, as you say, are afraid of me?" On this he was fastened to the bull, which was driven down the capitol. The brains of the Saint were scattered on the steps. His mangled body was taken up and buried by two devout women.
—Excerpted from Butler's Lives of the Saints
Symbols and Representation: Bishop dragged by a bull; bishop with a bull at his feet.
Highlights and Things to Do:
- San Saturnino Martire is the church in Rome in the place were St. Saturninus was martyred.
- Some of St. Saturnius' relics are found in the minor basilica of St. John and St. Paul (Santi Giovanni e Paolo) in Rome, the rest are now housed in San Saturnino Martire.
On November 29, 1987, the relics of the holy Roman martyr Saturninus, which remained for a long time in the Basilica of Saints John and Paul, were transferred to the parish church dedicated to his name and erected by the Supreme Pontiff Pius XI, in 1930, for the pastoral care. - Read more about his relics and see more images.
