Thomas was born about the year 1225 into the family of the Count of Aquino. He first studied at the monastery of Monte Cassino and later at the University of Naples. Afterward he joined the Friars Preachers and completed his studies at Paris and Cologne, his instructor being Saint Albert the Great. Becoming himself a teacher, he wrote many learned volumes and was especially renowned for his philosophical and theological studies. Saint Thomas died near Terracina on March 7, 1274, but his memory is honored on January 28, the day his body was transferred to Toulouse in 1369.

Prayer
God our Father,
you made Thomas Aquinas known for his holiness and learning.
Help us to grow in wisdom by his teaching
and in holiness by imitating his faith.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saints Timothy and Titus were disciples and assistants of the apostle Paul. Timothy had charge of the Church at Ephesus and Titus of the Church in Crete. The letters written to them are called the pastorals epistles, for they contain excellent admonitions for the instruction of both pastors and laity.

Prayer
God our Father,
you gave your saints Timothy and Titus
the courage and wisdom of the apostles:
may their prayers help us to live holy lives
and lead us to heaven, our true home.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Francis was born at Savoy in 1567. After being ordained a priest he labored diligently for the restoration of Catholicism in his country. Chosen bishop of Geneva, he showed himself as a true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful, strengthening their faith by his writings, works and example. He died at Lyons on December 28, 1622, and was buried at Annecy on this day.

Prayer
Father,
you gave Francis de Sales the spirit of compassion
to befriend all men on the way to salvation.
By his example, lead us to show your gentle love
in the service of our fellow men.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Vincent, deacon of the Church of Saragosa, after suffering extreme tortures, died as a martyr at Valencia in Spain during the Diocletian persecution. His cult immediately spread throughout the Church.

Prayer
Eternal Father,
you gave Saint Vincent
the courage to endure torture and death for the gospel:
fill us with your Spirit
and strengthen us in your love.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Agnes died a martyr at Rome during either the second half of the third century or, more probably, at the beginning of the fourth century. Pope Damascus adorned her tomb with sacred poetry, and many of the Fathers of the Church, following Saint Ambrose, have honored her in their writings.

Prayer
Almighty, eternal God,
you choose what the world considers weak
to put the worldly power to shame.
May we who celebrate the birth of
Saint Agnes into eternal joy
be loyal to the faith she professed.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Fabian was elected bishop of the Church of Rome in 236. In 250, at the beginning of the persecution of Decius, he won the crown of martyrdom, as Cyprian bears witness. He was buried in the cemetery of Saint Callistus.

Prayer
God our Father, glory of your priests,
may the prayers of your martyr Fabian
help us to share his faith
and offer you loving service.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

——————-

St. Sebastian, Martyr

Saint Sebastian died a martyr at Rome in the beginning of the Diocletian persecution. From antiquity the faithful have venerated his tomb on the Appian Way ad Catacumbas.

Prayer
Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage
which gave your martyr Sebastian
strength to offer his life in faithful witness.
Help us to learn from him to cherish your law
and to obey you rather than men.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Saint Hilary was born at Poitiers at the beginning of the fourth century. About the year 350 he was chosen bishop of that city, and for his vigorous fight against the Arians was exiled by the Emperor Constantine. To strengthen the Catholic faith and interpret sacred Scripture. He wrote works of wisdom and learning. Saint Hilary died in 367.

Prayer
All-powerful God,
as Saint Hilary defended the divinity of Christ your Son,
give us a deeper understanding of this mystery
and help us to profess it in all truth.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Raymond of Peñafort was born near Barcelona around 1175. He became a canon of the diocese of Barcelona and afterward joined the Order of Preachers. At the command of Pope Gregory IX, he produced a collection of canon law. He was elected general of his order and directed it wisely. The Summa casuum, which treats of the correct and fruitful administration of the sacrament of penance, is the most notable of his works. He died in 1275.

Prayer
Lord,
you gave Saint Raymond the gift of compassion
in his ministry to sinners.
May his prayers free us from the slavery of sin
and help us to love and serve you in liberty.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

John Charles Marchioni was born at Sezze, Italy, on October 19, of humble parents. He became a shepherd and wanted to become a priest. When unable to do so because of his poor scholarship (He barely learned to read and write), he became a lay brother at Naziano, served in various menial positions – cook, porter, gardener – at different monasteries near Rome and became known for his holiness, simplicity, and charity. He wrote several mystical works, lived a life of great mortifications, and worked heroically to help the stricken in the plague of 1656. He died in Rome on January 6. His family name may have been Melchior, and he is also known as Charles of Sezze. He was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1959. His feast day is January 5th.

John Neumann was born in Bohemia on March 20, 1811. Since he had a great desire to dedicate himself to the American missions, he came to the United States as a cleric and was ordained in New York in 1836 by Bishop Dubois. In 1840, he entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He labored in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1852, he was consecrated bishop of Philadelphia. There he worked hard for the establishment of parish schools and for the erection of many parishes for the numerous immigrants. Bishop Neumann died on January 5, 1860; he was beatified in 1963 and June 19, 1977 he was canonized by Pope Paul VI.

Prayer
Father, you called Saint John Neumann to labor for the gospel
among the people of the new world.
His Ministry strengthened many others in the Christian
faith:
through his prayers may faith grow strong in this land.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.