Saint of the Day (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)-St. Sylvester I

St. Sylvester I Wednesday, December 31, 2014 Lived(d. 335) | Feast Day: Wednesday, December 31, 2014
When you think of this pope, you think of the Edict of Milan, the emergence of the Church from the catacombs, the building of the great basilicas, Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter's and others, the Council of Nicaea and other critical events. But for the most part, these events were planned or brought about by Emperor Constantine. A great store of legends has grown up around the man who was pope at this most important time, but very little can be established historically. We know for sure that his papacy lasted from 314 until his death in 335. Reading between the lines of history, we are assured that only a very strong and wise man could have preserved the essential independence of the Church in the face of the overpowering figure of the Emperor Constantine. The bishops in general remained loyal to the Holy See and at times expressed apologies to Sylvester for undertaking important ecclesiastical projects at the urging of Constantine. Comment: It takes deep humility and courage in the face of criticism for a leader to stand aside and let events take their course, when asserting one's authority would only lead to useless tension and strife. Sylvester teaches a valuable lesson for Church leaders, politicians, parents and others in authority. Quote: To emphasize the continuity of Holy Orders, the recent Roman breviary in its biographies of popes ends with important statistics. On the feast of Saint Sylvester it recounts: "He presided at seven December ordinations at which he created 42 priests, 25 deacons and 65 bishops for various sees." The Holy Father is indeed the heart of the Church's sacramental system, an essential element of its unity. Click here for a printer friendly version
About • Contact • Blog • Catalog
This email was sent to visioner.shop.wisdom@blogger.com Franciscan Media | 28 W. Liberty St. | Cincinnati, OH 45202 ©2014 Franciscan Media. All Rights Reserved. Unsubscribe | Update Preferences

UPDATE: An urgent plea from Pope Francis to all Catholics

Your Catholic Voice Foundation The bitter cold could prove as deadly as the terrorists.

MOMMY, IT'S SO COLD...

UPDATE: Since the UN cut all aid, private help for Christians is all that's left, trickling to families. Much more is needed. Any help you can provide will have an impact. Please give generously.  UPDATE: (12/31) POPE FRANCIS is asking all Catholics to be part of the effort to save Christians and all those facing hunger and presecution in the freezing winter conditions of the region. Hunger does not take holidays off, help TODAY. Dear Reader, "Mommy, it's so cold..." complains a child in a refugee camp, covered with only a thin blanket. Displaced Christians survived the Islamic State, now they face a new, more terrible threat: a freezing winter protected only by the thin canvas of a shelter tent. NOBODY DESERVES TO SUFFER LIKE THIS Hundreds of thousands of people were forced out of their homes because they were Christians. Now herded into refugee camps, they fight bitter cold in the mountains of Northern Iraq.   HELP NOW >>   Your support will help provide for fellow Christians A blanket, a coat, some food or medicine can make a world of difference. This holiday season, please remember those who have lost everything for our faith. HELP NOW >>

Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.

This e-mail is never sent unsolicited. You have received this Catholic Online e-mail
because you subscribed to it or someone forwarded it to you. To opt out, see the links below.

TO ADVERTISE
For information on advertising at Catholic Online, please contact Advertising Sales.

TO SUBSCRIBE
If this email has been forwarded to you and would like a subscription, please
sign up for Catholic Online email deals.

Remove your e-mail address from our list. We respect your right to privacy. View our policy.

This e-mail was sent by:
Catholic Online
P.O. Box 9686
Bakersfield, CA 93389 USA