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Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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NOVENA

Nine days of public or private prayer for some special occasion or intention. Its origin goes back to the nine days that the Disciples and Mary spent together in prayer between Ascension and Pentecost Sunday. Over the centuries many novenas have been highly indulgenced by the Church. In modern times the one before Pentecost was prescribed for parochial churches. (Etym. Latin novem, nine.)

Sat10 May
Easter

Saturday of the Third Week of Easter; Opt. Mem. of St. Damien de Veuster, Priest; Opt. Mem. of St. John of Avila

Image for Saturday of the Third Week of Easter; Opt. Mem. of St. Damien de Veuster, Priest; Opt. Mem. of St. John of Avila

Today the Proper Calendar for the US celebrates the Optional Memorial of Father Damien de Veuster, SS.CC. (1840-1889), formerly Joseph de Veuster, and fondly called St. Damien of Molokai. (In Hawaii this is an Obligatory Memorial.) He was a Belgian missionary of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of…

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