St. Nicholas
Bishop, Optional Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Introduction
St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra, (in Turkey) in the fourth century. He became one of the most popular saints of the Church. Historically, we know little more about him than that he lived during the time the Church struggled with Arianism. He must have been a very good and generous person, caring for the poor and those in need, as the many legends surrounding his name point to his kindness and liberality, even going so far as to provide a dowry for poor girls. That is why he is the model of the giver of gifts to children and to the poor.
Commercialised and the centre of all sorts of fantasies, he became the Santa Claus of secularised Christmas celebrations.
Opening Prayer
Generous God,
we are happy to honor today Saint Nicholas,
a saint with an open hand like you.
May we be men and women
who are big-hearted enough
to let many share in your gifts,
that people may come to admire and love you
and to respond to your liberality
with great faith and trust.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayers of the Faithful
*Prayer over the Gifts
Our loving God,
we bring bread and wine before you
from your own good gifts to us
and we ask you to let them become for us
the greatest of all gifts,
your own Son Jesus Christ.
Let him make us generous to our neighbor
with all the gifts of mind and heart
with which you have enriched us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
*Prayer after Communion
Generous God,
we thank you that you have let us share
in the table of the word and the bread
of Jesus, our Savior and our brother.
May we be grateful to you and to people
for all you have given us so graciously
and sing to you our songs of praise and thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.