Thursday, May 27, 1999
Thursday, May 27: Eighth Thursday of Ordinary Time and Feast of Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop, Religious and Missionary
Green or White vestments
First Reading: Sirach 42: 15-25
Psalms: Psalm 33: 2-9
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 46-52
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY, BISHOP, RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY
Known as the "Apostle of England," Saint Augustine of Canterbury served as the prior at the Monastery of St. Andrew. Having been appointed by Saint Gregory the Great to lead his missionaries to England, Augustine was at first hesitant for he and his friars, like the first apostles, feared being killed by the barbarians, but Gregory encouraged them praying for the infusion of the Holy Spirit and reminding them that the greater their trials and hardships, the greater their crown in eternity. In obedience the band of missionaries, led by Augustine persevered. Their perseverance paid off as they converted the Britons' leader King Ethelbert in 596 and throughout the north and south of England the faith was spread. On the western shores the people balked, jealous and proud, they would not allow Augustine to enter their area. With enough to do in the rest of England, Augustine, the appointed Papal Legate to Britain, obediently continued to minister to these people, strengthening the Anglo-Saxon Church which he founded, becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury and leaving the rest of England to later missionaries as the Holy See would direct. He died in 604.
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