Monday, 24th June, The Nativity of St John the Baptist. We rejoice at the coming of St. John the Baptist, a man of self-denial, integrity of life and purpose, and an uncompromising prophetic voice. John means, ‘The Lord has shown favour’. This feast relates to the summer solstice when the days begin to grow shorter, recalling John’s words, ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’
Tuesday, 28th June, St. Ireneaus, lived just after the time of the apostles and knew those who had seen and talked with them. He became Bishop of Lyons, the largest trading centre in Gaul (present day France). The note of moderation, the desire to win people to Christianity by love rather than by fear, was apparent in all of his work.
Saturday, 29th June, Ss. Peter and Paul. On this day, we celebrate the twin founders of the Church in Rome. St. Peter, originally called Simon, a fisherman who became leader of the Apostles and the rock on which the Church is built, died by crucifixion in Rome around the year 64. St. Paul, Saul the Pharisee, who became the ‘Apostle to the Gentiles’, was martyred by beheading around 67. Both proclaim with their lives that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.