Catholic Fire

Optional Memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop Old Calendar: St. Nicholas, bishop and confessor Happy Feast Day of St. Nicholas! Today's Mass Readings On This Day in Catholic History 1273 Saint Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225–1274) ceased writing following a tremendous mystical experience while conducting Mass. He suspended his work on his Summa Theologica. “I can do no more,” he told his servant. “Such things have been revealed to me that all that I have written seems to me as so much straw. Now I await the end of my life.” 1352 Pope Clement VI died (b. 1291, France). He was elected pope on May 7, 1342 at Avignon, where he died. 1964 The Roman Catholic hierarchy in both England and Wales authorized joint prayers with other churches. Birthdays: 1642 - Johann Christoph Bach , German composer (d. 1703), Johann Sebastian's first cousin once removed. 1886 - Joyce Kilmer , American poet (d. 1918) 1896 - Ira Gershwin , American lyricist (d. 1983) 1900 - Agnes Moorehead , American actress (d....

Saint Nicholas was born in Patara of Lycia about the middle of the third century, of devout and wealthy parents who provided him with a Christian upbringing and education. He was orphaned at an early age. Later he was ordained a priest, and when the bishop of his district died, he was made Bishop of Myra of Lycia. Saint Nicholas is distinguished for his great faith and especially for his charity. His faith was so great, that with his prayer he calmed a stormy sea while on a trip to the Holy Lands. For this reason sailors pay homage to him as their protector. He is particularly well known for his charity and his love for children. He used his great wealth to assist all who were in need: poor families, widows, and especially orphans and poor children. As Bishop, he established a poorhouse and a hospital. Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters, who were all hoping to be married. Rath...