Tuesday 21st, The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates Mary in her grace-filled life, wholly given over to the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday 22nd, St. Cecilia, the patroness of music and musicians, was a third-century Roman Christian martyr. According to tradition, she refused to worship the Roman gods and was beheaded.
Thursday 23rd, St Columban, abbot and missionary, also known as Columbanus, wasborn around 543. He became a monk at Bangor and later principal teacher there. In 591, desiring to ‘go on pilgrimage for Christ’, he set out with twelve companions and came to Burgundy. He established monasteries at Annegray, Luxeuil and Fontaine according to the severe Irish rule. Later he founded Bregenz in Austria ad his greatest foundation at Bobbio, near Genoa, where he died in 615. He is remembered as one of the greatest of the Irish missionary monks.
Friday 24th, St. Colman. Patron of the Diocese of Cloyne, was born around 530, probably in west Cork. A bard by profession, he is reputed to have been influenced by St. Brendan to become a priest. His apostolate was to east Cork and his main foundation was at Cloyne.
Saturday 25th, St. Clement I, pope and martyr, third successor of St. Peter as bishop of Rome (88-97). His letter to the Corinthians called for peace and harmony in the life of that community. Exiled, he was martyred by drowning in Crimea. Later, his relics were brought to the church of San Clemente in Rome.