In the Novus Ordo calendar it is the Feast of St. John Neumann (+1860) and also of St. Edward the Confessor (+1066). It’s also a 1st Friday! (GO TO CONFESSION!)
However, it is also the Vigil of Epiphany and feast of St. Telesphorus (c. 137). St. Irenaeus says he was martyred, which would have been in the time of Antoninus Pius.
To Telesphorus is attributed the singing of the Gloria at Mass. Liturgically, Telesphorus can be celebrated today in the Vetus Ordo.
On the Feast of St. Telesphorus I always think of my old friend Fr. Robert Altier, who had a devotion to to him, perhaps because of his connection with the Carmelites who venerate him. Fr. A (I am Fr. Z… we were the Alpha and Omega in our circle) prayed to St. Telesphorus because he has less to do than other saints and can work on a petition.
I’m not sure if that’s how Heaven’s intercessors get things done, but it’s amusing. And if it gets someone to invoke a nearly forgotten saint, it’s worth it.
Anyway, a prayer right now, please, for my old friend, whom I haven’t seen in years. Perhaps a Hail Mary from you for him?
Meanwhile, “ATTENTION SAINT TELESPHORUS! POPE & MARTYR! CLEAN UP IN AISLES 1… 2… 3… 4…”
A bonus shot from Rome.
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Done, with pleasure! Fr. Altier was one of the first priests I was assigned to pray for when I joined the Opus Sanctorum Angelorum’s spiritual adoption program, and I continue to remember him daily with my morning offering! I do hope he is well; he was a guest on Relevant Radio some years back, I remember. May Our Blessed Mother, St. Telesphorus, and Fr. A’s Guardian Angel intercede for him before the heavenly Throne!
I’ve just followed a 3 part series on humility by Fr Altier through spiritualdirection.com.
Very good
Fr. Altier is still one of the best homilists on any given day. He is at Holy Trinity in South St. Paul where he does the NO and St. Augustine’s where he does the Tridentine Mass. His homily from New Year’s Eve was particularly on point in this present troubled period in the Church. Our parish is St. Agnes where we have both the Tridentine Mass and the Latin Novus Ordo but we regularly catch Mass in South St. Paul. Fr. A’s homilies can be found at Catholic Parents Online website or YouTube page. Blessings to you, Fr. Z.