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Weekly Bulletin November 13, 2022
by Terrie Evans
During the week of November 14th through the 18th we honor the following saints on their Feast Day. On Tuesday, November 15th, we remember St. Albert the Great, the 1st German Dominican. Born Albert Magnus (!200-1280) was widely known as a philosopher and scientist who was considered the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages. St. Albert was very interested in the works of Aristotle and in doing so, studied several Muslim Scholars. At that time, the Islamic world led Europe in the fields of Science and Medicine. He wrote 38 volumes on subjects ranging from Philosophy, Geography, Astronomy, Law, Friendship and Love. St. Albert died in 1280, was beatified 342 years later in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV and was Canonized 309 years later in 1931 by Pope Pius IX. He is the Patron Saint of Medical Technicians, Scientists and Philosophers.
On Wednesday, November 16th, we honor two saints, Margaret, and Gertrude. St. Margaret was born in Hungary and in 1057 at the age of 12 arrived in England at the court of English King Edward the Confessor. At the age of 22 after the Battle of Hastings Margaret fled to Scotland and became known as “The Pearl of Scotland”. She would bring English Monks to settle in a Benedictine Priory in Scotland and it was there Margaret would go on to build a church in 1072. She was married to Malcolm III, King of Scotland and she became the mother of three Kings of Scotland, Edgar, Alexander l, and David l. Malcolm III died in battle in 1093 and Margaret died 3 days later. St. Margaret was canonized in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV and is also venerated in the Anglican Communion. St. Gertrude is also honored on Wednesday, November 16th. She was born in 1256 in Saxony and by the age of 5 was placed in the care of the Benedictine Nuns where she received a good education. Gertrude would later join the order and become the Abbess at the same Monastery until moving her nuns to another Monastery in Hefita. St. Gertrude was well versed in Sacred Literature and wrote and composed her writings in Latin. She was characterized by her great devotion to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord in His Passion and in the Blessed Eucharist and her love for the Blessed Virgin. St. Gertrude died in 1302 at the age of 46 and is considered the Patron Saint of the West Indies.
On Thursday, November 17th, we honor the Feast Day of St. Elizabeth known for many good works in helping those less fortunate. St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a Princess in the Kingdom of Hungary, born in 1207 and died in 1231 at the age of 24 in modern day Germany. At the age of 4, Elizabeth was promised in marriage to Louis IV of Thuringia, her future husband. Elizabeth was living in the same household with his family and had fallen in love with Ludwig during their childhood. The young Elizabeth was married in 1221 at age 14 and had two sons and one daughter. In 1223 Franciscan Friars arrived and at this time, Elizabeth became very interested in the ideals of St. Francis of Assisi and adopted them in her life. Her charitable efforts pleased her husband and with his support they both continued her work until his death in Otranto, Italy while he took part in the Sixth Crusade. St. Francis of Assisi heard of her good works and sent her a personal message of Blessing before his death in 1226. She built a hospital for the poor and sick at Marburg before her death in 1231 at the age of 24. Due to miracles being reported between August 1232 and January 1235, Elizabeth was Canonized by Pope Gregory IX on May 24, 1235. St. Elizabeth is often depicted holding a basket of bread or other items of foods or beverages to characterize her devotion to the poor. In 2007, the city Marburg proclaimed the year “Elizabeth Year” to commemorate her good works with Pilgrims coming from all over the world for this celebration. The Friars and Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis took part of this celebration with members of the Order holding special events to honor her in chapters all over the world.
On November 18th, the Catholic Church holds the Feast Day for the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul to honor the Apostles who are believed to be buried there. Built by the Emperor Constantine the Great during the 4th Century, the Basilicas have been visited by pilgrims from all over the world. Their significance in the Church is referenced to the obligation of Catholic Bishops to make a Quinquennial Visit Ad Limina, a requirement to go “To the tombs of the Apostles” Rome every 5 years to report on the status of their Dioceses or Prelatures. This requirement was set in 1585 by Pope Sixtus V in 1585 who established the norms for these visits. In 1909, Pope Pius X decreed that a Bishop needs to report directly to the Pope on the state of his Diocese once every five years, starting in 1911.