December 13, 2008

St. Lucy, virgin and martyr

CNS / Saints for Today

This virgin was martyred, possibly by a sword thrust into her throat, in Sicily, probably during the persecution of Diocletian. Her memory was venerated from an early date, as she was remembered in the canon of the Mass. Legends suggest she was denounced as a Christian by a rejected suitor and miraculously saved from a brothel and from death by fire. The object of popular devotion for diseases of the eye, she often was painted holding two eyes in a dish. Some artwork shows her holding a flame, a reference to purity.

Read

Daily Readings from the New American Bible (NAB)

Pray

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Reflect

View the Daily Reflection on today's readings brough to you by the Catholic Communication Campaign

Act

Learn how to defend the teachings of the Catholic Church by expanding your knowledge. Visit the Jesus Decoded Web site.