Saturday, December 6, 2008 (Feast of St. Nicholas)

Saturday, December 6 (Feast of St. Nicholas)

Is 30:19-21.23-26/Mt 9:35-10:1. 5a,6-8

“The Lord will be gracious to you when he hears your cry. When he hears he will answer.” –Is 19

Nicholas, a third century Bishop of Myra, must have been seen as pastoral by the people he served. Whether fact or fiction, the story of his providing of dowries to three young girls who otherwise would have been forced into prostitution suggests a deeply generous and caring man.

Sadly prostitution and other forms of slavery continue today. We see a global effort to curb by law the widespread trafficking of women, men and children--especially young girls. Let us pray to St. Nicholas for the safety of the young, especially those enslaved by the lust and greed of others.

St. Nicholas, protector of the young and oppressed, help us to restore to these victims of violence the precious gifts of freedom and hope through prayer, advocacy and other action.

Mantra: For victims, freedom and hope.

Margaret Hoffman SNDdeN