00 19/01/2013 18:53




Saturday, January 19, First Week in Ordinary Time

ST. FABIAN (d. 250), POPE AND MARTYR
Fabian was a Roman layman who came into the city from his farm one day in 236, as clergy and people were preparing
to elect a new Pope. Eusebius, historian of the early Church, says a dove flew in and settled on the head of Fabian.
This sign united the votes of clergy and laity and he was chosen unanimously. He led the Church for 14 years and was
one of the first martyrs killed during the persecution of Decius in 250 AD. He is credited with having Christianized
Gaul (now France), sending out seven trusted bishops to do this. St. Cyprian wrote That Fabian was an 'incomparable'
man whose glory in death matched the holiness and purity of his life. He was buried in the catacombs of St. Callistus;
his gravestone, broken into four by time, bears the Greek words, “Fabian, bishop, martyr.”
Readings for today's Mass: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011913.cfm


AT THE VATICAN TODAY

The Holy Father met with

- Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops (weekly meeting)

- Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. Address in Italian.






SEVEN YEARS, NINE MONTHS AND COUNTING...

AD MULTOS ANNOS, SANCTE PATER!





[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 19/01/2013 18:53]