Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church

Optional memorial

December 21

The Church remembers Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor of the Church (d. 1597). Today is an optional memorial.

Readings of the day

Sorrowful Mysteries

Fourth Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

In Advent, the Joyful Mysteries are a natural companion any day.

“The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”John 19:17

Jesus carries His Cross to Calvary. Simon of Cyrene is made to help Him, and along the way He speaks to the women of Jerusalem who weep for Him.

Fruit of the mystery: Patience

“O Dayspring” — the O Antiphon for December 21

O Dayspring, splendor of eternal light and sun of justice: come, and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Roman Breviary, Magnificat antiphon (translated for this app)

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This day’s five mysteries (Sorrowful Mysteries)

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

Coming up

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Sat, Dec 25 · Solemnity
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistMon, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsTue, Dec 28 · Feast
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of GodSat, Jan 1 · Solemnity

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

Scripture from the Douay–Rheims Bible. Private: no account. Visits are counted with Cloudflare Web Analytics (cookieless, no personal data). If you sign up, the server keeps only your browser’s anonymous push address, the time you chose and your time zone.