• November 16: Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin—Optional Memorial
    Nov 12 2025
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    November 16: Saint Gertrude the Great, Virgin—Optional Memorial

    1256–1302
    Patron Saint of nuns
    Invoked for poor souls in Purgatory
    Equivalent canonization in 1606
    Added to the Universal Roman Calendar by Pope Clement XII in 1677
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    Let the Abyss of Uncreated Wisdom invoke the Abyss of Omnipotent Power to praise and extol the amazing charity which, by an excess of Thine infinite mercy, O most sweet God of my life and only Love of my soul, hast led Thee through a desert, pathless, and dry land,— that is, through the many obstacles I have placed to Thy mercy,—to descend into the valley of my miseries. I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age when, on the Monday before the Feast of the Purification of Thy most chaste Mother, in a happy hour, after Compline, at the close of day, Thou the true Light, Who art clearer than any light, and yet deeper than any recess, having resolved to dissipate the obscurity of my darkness, didst sweetly and gently commence my conversion by appeasing the trouble which Thou hadst excited in my soul for more than a month, which Thou didst deign to use, as I believe, to destroy the fortress of vain-glory and curiosity which my pride had raised up within me, although I bore the name and habit of a religious to no purpose; but Thou didst will to use this means, that Thou mightest thereby show me Thy salvation. ~Saint Gertrude

    Prayer:
    Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen. Saint Gertrude the Great and Saint Matilda, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Image: Pietro Liberi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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    13 mins
  • November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland—Optional Memorial
    Nov 12 2025
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    November 16: Saint Margaret of Scotland—Optional Memorial

    c. 1045–1093
    Patron Saint of learning, parents of large families, parents who have lost a child, queens, and widows
    Canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1251
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    She was called Margaret, and in the sight of God she showed herself to be a pearl, precious in faith and works. She was indeed a pearl to you, to me, to all of us, yea, to Christ Himself, and being Christ’s she is all the more ours now that she has left us, having been taken to the Lord. This pearl, I repeat, has been removed from the dunghill of the present world, and now she shines in her place among the jewels of the Eternal King. ~From a biography written by her spiritual director, Bishop Turgot

    Prayer:
    Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland, you received much in this earthly life, but gave so much more. The glory of God and the salvation of souls was your greatest desire. Please pray for me, that I will always use what I have received, not for selfish gain, but for the fulfillment of the will of God in all things. Saint Margaret, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Image: William Hole, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Common
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    10 mins
  • November 15: Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial
    Nov 14 2024
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    November 15: Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor—Optional Memorial

    c. 1200–1280
    Patron Saint of scientists, medical technicians, natural sciences, philosophers, schoolchildren, and theology students
    Canonized by Pope Pius XI on December 16, 1931
    Declared a Doctor of the Church (Universal Doctor) during his canonization
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    I have felt moved to write a few last thoughts describing, as far as one may in this waiting-time of our exile and pilgrimage, the entire separation of the soul from all earthly things and its close, unfettered union with God.
    I have been more urged to this, because Christian perfection has no other end but charity, which unites us to God. This union of charity is essential for salvation, since it consists in the practice of the precepts and in conformity to the Divine will. Hence it separates us from whatever would war against the essence and habit of charity, such as mortal sin. ~Saint Albert, “On Union With God”

    Prayer:
    Saint Albert the Great, though your mind was incapable of comprehending the depth and breadth of God, you strove for that goal nonetheless. As a result of that continuous striving, God used you in numerous ways, helping to lay a firm foundation for the development of the Church’s faith. Please pray for me, that I will devote myself more fully to the study, prayerful pondering, and contemplation of all that God has revealed, so that I will be drawn more deeply into communion with Him. Saint Albert the Great, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Image from Lawrence OP, Flickr
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    14 mins
  • November 13: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin—USA Memorial
    Nov 12 2024
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    November 13: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin—USA Memorial

    1850–1917
    Patron Saint of immigrants, emigrants, hospital administrators, and orphans
    Invoked against malaria
    Canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 7, 1946
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    How lovely and sweet it is to undertake a sea voyage when one is tired and worn out with the labors of the Missions! The day was fixed, the cabins were secured, and September the 2nd came all too quickly…As soon as I had finished waving my handkerchief to the Sisters, I sat on a chair, and fell asleep. When I awoke…I realized that I was far away from the Sisters and felt the sorrow of separation from them… Reflecting upon my vocation as a Missionary, I remembered that I ought not to allow sadness to take hold of me. So I entered into the Heart of Jesus, where I saw all the Sisters, and though I could not speak to them, I asked the Sacred Heart to tell each of them what I had forgotten, or what I had not time to say. Great was my pleasure at the thought that the Sacred Heart would inspire you with the good resolution to do what I want you to do, and to add to it His Grace, and thus facilitate the exercise of those virtues which give to true Missionaries of the Sacred Heart that energy which makes them zealous for the salvation of souls. ~Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, letter to her daughters

    Prayer:
    Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, in your humility and obedience you became a founder of an army of holy women who went forth across the globe to bring the Mercy in the Heart of Jesus to those in need. Please pray for me, that I will discover that same abundant mercy in Jesus’ Heart and will become an instrument of that love to all. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Image from Lawrence OP, Flickr
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    13 mins
  • November 12: Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial
    Nov 11 2024
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    November 12: Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial

    1580–1623
    Patron Saint of Ukraine
    Invoked for the reunification of Eastern and Western Christians
    Canonized by Pope Pius IX on June 29, 1867
    Liturgical Color: Red

    Quote:
    You people of Vitebsk want to put me to death. You make ambushes for me everywhere, in the streets, on the bridges, on the highways, and in the marketplace. I am here among you as a shepherd, and you ought to know that I would be happy to give my life for you. I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of Saint Peter, and of his successor the Supreme Pontiff. ~Saint Josaphat

    Prayer:
    Saint Josaphat, God drew you to Himself from an early age, and you responded to His grace. As you grew in faith, God also drew you to the mission of Church unity. Please pray for me, and pray for our Church and world, that all will become one in Christ and that I will do my part to help bring that unity about. Saint Josaphat, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Main image: Józef Simmler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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    12 mins
  • November 11: Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial
    Nov 11 2024
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    November 11: Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop—Memorial

    316 or 336–397
    Patron Saint of beggars, cavalry, equestrians, geese, horses, innkeepers, Pontifical Swiss Guards, quartermasters, reformed alcoholics, soldiers, tailors, and winemakers
    Invoked against alcoholism and poverty
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    Accordingly, at a certain period, when he had nothing except his arms and his simple military dress, in the middle of winter, a winter which had shown itself more severe than ordinary, so that the extreme cold was proving fatal to many, he happened to meet at the gate of the city of Amiens a poor man destitute of clothing. He was entreating those that passed by to have compassion upon him, but all passed the wretched man without notice, when Martin, that man full of God, recognized that a being to whom others showed no pity, was, in that respect, left to him. Yet, what should he do? He had nothing except the cloak in which he was clad, for he had already parted with the rest of his garments for similar purposes. Taking, therefore, his sword with which he was girt, he divided his cloak into two equal parts, and gave one part to the poor man, while he again clothed himself with the remainder. ~From the Life of Saint Martin, by Sulpicius Severus

    Prayer:
    Saint Martin of Tours, though you were born into a pagan family, God spoke to your heart from an early age, and you listened and responded. Your kindness, deep prayer, and generosity led to your ongoing conversion, making you an inspiration to all. Please pray for me, that I will always listen to God’s voice and respond with all my heart. Saint Martin of Tours, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Main image: Anthony van Dyck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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    13 mins
  • November 10: Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor—Memorial
    Nov 6 2025
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    November 10: Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor—Memorial

    c. 400–461
    Pre-Congregation canonization
    Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV in 1754
    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    He conquered that we too might likewise conquer. For there are no works of power, dearly beloved, without the trials of temptations, there is no faith without proof, no contest without a foe, no victory without conflict. This life of ours is in the midst of snares, in the midst of battles; if we do not wish to be deceived, we must watch: if we want to overcome, we must fight. ~Sermon by Saint Leo the Great

    Prayer:
    Saint Leo the Great, you exercised your papal ministry with humility and strength, wisdom and pastoral diplomacy, guiding the Church through a difficult period. Please pray for me, that I will learn from your example and always remain firm in my faith, doing all I can to lead others to God. Saint Leo the Great, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.


    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Main image: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
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    13 mins
  • November 9: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica—Feast
    Nov 8 2024
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    November 9: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica—Feast

    Liturgical Color: White

    Quote:
    “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his Body. ~John 2:19–21

    Prayer:
    Christ our Savior, through the intercessions of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, I pray for the Church today. I pray for your abundant mercy upon every sinner whom you are calling into your Church for reconciliation. I pray for my local parish, diocese, country, and the Universal Church headed in Rome. I especially pray for the Holy Father, the pastor of the Lateran Basilica and shepherd of the whole Church. Draw him close to You, make him holy, and use him to draw many people to Yourself. Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, pray for us. Jesus I trust in You.

    Source of content: mycatholic.life
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    Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia
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    9 mins