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Saint of the Day
In times past there was a Catholic Saint
for practically every day of the year and these are referred
to as the Feast Days or Saint's Days. What is the origin and meaning of
Feast Days and why are they referred to as Saint of the Day? Many saints have specially designated feast days
which are associated with a specific day of the year and
these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The Catholic
Saint's feast days first arose from the very early Christian
custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates
of their deaths, at the same time celebrating their entrance
into heaven. Eventually, as time passed, practically every
day of the year had at least one saint who was commemorated
on that date - a Saint of the day.
Saint of the Day - Changes
& Reforms
The dates and names
attributed to the Saint of the year section include
those used by many Catholics in America in the 1900's as
detailed in the Lives of the Saints by Alban Butler
which was taken from the Benziger Brothers edition of the
book published in 1894. Various changes and reforms have
resulted in different calendars culminating in the
General Roman Calendar of 1962.
Definition of Saints
The term 'Saints' is used
in Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic
religion, to describe a person who is perceived of being an
example of great holiness and virtue and considered capable
of interceding with God on behalf of a person who prayed to
them. A person who has died and has been declared a saint by
canonization. The Roman Catholic Church has an official
process for creating saints.
Definition of a Martyr
The Definition of a
Christian martyr is one who is murdered or put to death for
his Christian faith or convictions. Many Christian martyrs
suffered cruel and torturous deaths like stoning,
crucifixion, and burning at the stake and many have been
canonized to become one of the Roman Saints of the Days. The word
'martyr' comes from the Greek word translated "witness."
Martyrdom is the result of religious persecution. The first
known Christian martyr was St. Stephen as recorded in the
Acts 6:8–8:3, who was stoned to death for his faith.
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