Monk (d. ca. 1210)
His life
+ Adam was a Cistercian monk and priest in the abbey of Loccum (in what is modern-day Hanover, Germany).
+ Remembered for his strong devotion to the Mother of God, he is said to have received visions of her and two have been healed through her intercession on two separate occasions.
+ Honored as a miracle worker during his life, Blessed Adam died around the year 1210.
For prayer and reflection
O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Church also remembers Saint Zeno of Nicomedia. An imperial Roman soldier, he was among the many who lost their lives during the fierce persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. Having refused to offer sacrifice to the goddess Ceres, Zeno was put to death in Nicomedia (modern-day Izmit, Turkey) in 303.
Prayer
O God, who, seeing the human race fallen into death,
willed to redeem it by the coming of your Only Begotten Son,
grant, we pray,
that those who confess his Incarnation with humble fervor
may merit his company as their Redeemer.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal—Collect for December 22)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...