ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY FEAST, May 27

St. Augustine was Italian by birth, a monk of St. Andrew’s Abbey in Rome. In 597, Augustine, along with 39 companions, was sent to England by Pope Saint Gregory the Great, who named Augustine archbishop of Canterbury. With the assistance of King Ethelbert, whom Augustine had baptized, Augustine successfully established three dioceses and a monastery dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul at Canterbury. Augustine laboured as missionary-bishop for ten years and is honoured with laying the foundations of the Church in England.

Prayer;

O Lord our God, who by your Son Jesus Christ called your Apostles and sent them forth to preach the Gospel to the nations: we bless your holy name for your servant Augustine, first Archbishop of

Canterbury, whose labours in propagating your Church among the English people we commemorate; Grant almighty God, that we may withstand the trials of this world with invisible firmness of purpose, and we pray that all whom you call and send may do your will, and bide your time, and see your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.