Monday 24th, St Sharbel Makhluf, became a monk at the monastery of St. Maron at Annaya and was ordained in 1859. He became a hermit from 1875 until his death in 1898. He was much sought after for counsel and blessing and had a great personal devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Tuesday 25th, St James, Apostle, son of Zebedee and brother of John, called the Greater. He was put to death by Herod Agrippa about the year 44, being the first of the Apostles to die for Christ. His shrine is at Compostella in Spain.
Wednesday 26th, Ss. Joachim and Anne (or Anna.) traditionally named parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of the Lord. The earliest reference to their names is the second-century apocryphal Gospel of James. Their feasts were celebrated separately until joined together in the Calendar reform of 1969. St Anne is patron of Canada, women in labour, miners, cabinet-makers and home-makers.