GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 52, 26 December 1907, Page 3

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK'S CALENDAR

December 29, Sunday.— St.. Thomas of- Canterbury, Bishop and Martyr. '-" - „ 30, Monday.— St. Elizabeth of -Hungary, * Widow. „ 31, Tuesday.— St. Sylvester, Pope and Con- ' fessor. January 1, Wednesday. — Feast of the Circumcision. Holi- -_ day of Obligation. „ 2, Thursday.— Octave of St. Stephen. 1 „ 3, Friday.— Octave of. St. John, Evangelist. „ 4, Saturday.— Octave of the Holy Innocents. St. Thomas, Bishop and Martyr. St. Thomas a'Beckett was born in London in 1117. - Having embraced the 'ecclesiastical state, and given proof of singular ability and fervent piety/ he was soon called to occupy very important positions in the Church. In 1157 he was appointed Lord Chancellor of England by 'King Henry 11., and in 1162 was elected Arch/bishop of Canterbury. Though rema,rkabile for humility and meekness, he did not hesitate to boldly defend the rights of the Church against the unjust attacks of the English king. His firmness cost him his life. He was murdered in his cathedral by four knights at the instigation of the king, A.D. 1170. St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Widow. St. Elizabeth was the daughter of the King of Hungary, and the wife of Louis, Landgrave of Thuringia. She was remarkable for her charity, and took a special delight in sen ing the sick with her own hands. On the death of her husband, St. Eli/.abeth was driven from her home, and reduced to take shelter, with her children, in a building that had been used' for swine. These and other privations she bore uncomplainingly. She died in 1231, in the twenty-fourth year of her age.