Today is the feast of Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597), a Dutch Jesuit priest known for his defence and evangelisation of Catholicism during the Protestant Reformation in Germany, Austria and Poland. He is a Doctor of the Church, and patron of the Catholic press, and of Germany.

Today is the feast of Blessed Michal Piaszczynski (1885-1940), a Polish priest who held inter-faith dialogue with Jewish rabbis in his role as a seminary spiritual director. Arrested by the Nazis, he died in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, and is considered a martyr.

Today is the feast of Blessed Kazimiera Wolowska (1879-1942), a Polish nun and prioress of a convent in Słonim, Belarus. She fed, sheltered, hid and taught Jews during the Nazi persecutions of WWII, and was arrested and executed as a result. She is considered a martyr.

Today is the feast of Blessed Giulia Valle (1847-1916), an Italian nun of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joan Antida Thouret. A teacher in Turin and its surrounds known for her careful attention to people's individual educational needs, she is a patron of educators.

Today is the feast of Saint Lazarus of Bethany, the friend who Jesus restored to life after he had died and lain in the tomb for four days. He is honoured in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches, and in the Islamic faith.

Today is the feast of Blessed Filip Siphong Onphithakt (1907-1940), a Thai layman, catechist, husband and father of five children. He protested the harassment of Christians in his local community and was martyred. He is honoured as one of the Seven Martyrs of Thailand.

Today is the feast of Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli (1587-1651), an Italian noblewoman who was widowed at the age of 20, and founded the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Cavalry to assist the poor and the sick. She is the patron of her order.

Today is the feast of Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591), a Spanish priest, mystic, and Carmelite friar. He is a Doctor of the Church, and a patron of contemplative life, mystics, and Spanish poets.

Today is the feast of Saint Lucy of Syracuse (c. 283-304), a Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic persecution. She is remembered by name in the First Eucharistic Prayer, and is a patron of the blind, of martyrs, and of epidemics.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared five times in December 1531 to Saint Juan Diego. A basilica is built on the site of the apparitions, and is a place of pilgrimage. She is the patron of Mexico, and the Americas.

Today is the feast of Saint Damasus I (c. 305-384), the 37th Pope. He presided over the Council of Rome in 382, which determined the canon of sacred scripture, and helped reconcile relations between the Church of Rome and the Church of Antioch. He is a patron of archaeologists.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Loreto, a visual representation of Our Lady who according to legend had her likeness captured by Saint Luke the Evangelist. She is the patron of air passengers and auspicious travel.

Today is the feast of Saint Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin (1474-1548), the first indigenous saint of the Americas. Granted an apparition of the Virgin Mary - known as Our Lady of Guadalupe - he dedicated his life to serving at her shrine. He is a patron of indigenous peoples.

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, recognising the dogma that Our Lady was free of original sin from the moment of conception. She is the patron of Argentina, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Guam, Nicaragua Panama, Tanzania, Tunisia & the USA.

Children’s Liturgy - offering our children the opportunity to listen and respond to the Sunday Gospel at an age-appropriate level - takes place at St John the Evangelist (Mill End) today at the 10.30am Mass for primary school children. Please join us!

Today is the feast of Saint Ambrose (c. 340-397), the Bishop of Milan, a theologian, and one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. Honoured by Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran denominations, he is the patron of Milan.

Today is the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-343), an early Christian bishop of Greek descent whose reputation of secret gift-giving to help the poor inspired the concept of Santa Claus. He is a patron of children, pawnbrokers, merchants, repentant thieves, and prostitutes.

Today is the feast of Saint Crispina (d. 304), an early Christian woman arrested and martyred during the Diocletian persecutions in Numidia (Algeria). St Augustine wrote of her: “She was strong, because the Lord was for her a better defense than the hand of her right hand.”

Today is the feast of Saint John Damascene (c. 675-749), a monk and priest whose polymath abilities contributed to law, theology, philosophy, and music. He is a Father of the Eastern Orthodox Church and a Doctor of the Catholic Church. He is a patron of theology students.

Today is the feast of Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552), a Spanish priest & co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a missionary to many countries, reflected in his patronage of Australia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Macau, Madagascar, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore & Sri Lanka.