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

Luminous Mysteries

Fifth Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

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

“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”Luke 22:19

At the Last Supper, on the night before He suffered, Jesus takes bread and wine and gives His Body and Blood to the apostles as food and drink, the new covenant in His Blood.

Fruit of the mystery: Adoration

“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 (Luminous Mysteries)

The Baptism of the Lord
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

Coming up

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mon, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrTue, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistWed, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsThu, Dec 28 · Feast
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 31 · Feast

✝ 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.