Americas saint’s feast a time for prayer, evangelization

Last updated on: November 6, 2012 at 1:07 am by CNA Daily News

Americas saint’s feast a time for prayer, evangelization 2012-11-06T01:07:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Nov 5, 2012 / 06:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Vatican official called Nov. 5 “an occasion of prayer” and renewed evangelization efforts, as the day marks the feast of Saint Emeric, a patron saint of the Americas.

“It's a time to thank our Lord for the great blessings he has bestowed not just on the United States but upon all the Americas, and to pray for the future – for the re-evangelization of our own United states, of North America and certainly South America,” said Monsignor Richard Soseman, a member of the Vatican's Congregation for Clergy.

In a Nov. 5 interview with CNA, Msgr. Soseman explained that America gets its name from Amerigo Vespucci, a 15th century Italian mapmaker.

Vespucci was in turn named after St. Emeric, as Amerigo is the Italian form of Emeric. “Today then, in that sense, is the name day of all the Americas,” Msgr. Soseman observed.

“When Vespucci drew the maps of the New World, he saw this continent without a name, so he put his own name on it, 'Ameriga.'”

During his remarks, the priest's thoughts turned to the United States elections which will take place Nov. 6.

“My heart is filled with pride that our country has had peaceful elections since the beginning, and I expect the same for tomorrow…that we can be an example for others, that even if you disagree, you can go in to vote your conscience, and eventually there will be in a month or two a peaceful transfer of power.”

“When I study things from other parts of the world, we see terrible strife, battles at election time, and we don't have that in the United States, so I'm pleased about that.”

St. Emeric was a prince of Hungary who died in 1031. He was the son of Saint Stephen of Hungary. His tomb was the site of several healings and conversions. He was canonized in 1083 along with his father and also his teacher, Bishop Gerard Sagredo.

As St. Emeric is listed in the Roman Martyrology for Nov. 5, priests are free to celebrate a Mass in his honor at their will.

In addition to serving the Congregation of Clergy, Msgr. Soseman is a priest of the Diocese of Peoria. In January, he will have served in Rome for five years. He oversaw the collection of documents for the cause of Venerable Fulton Sheen, and assists the Sheen Foundation at coordinator of international outreach.

The monsignor also teaches the extraordinary form at the North American College in Rome, and teaches the epistles of St. Paul at the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts' Rome semester program.

Uncategorized

Vatican

Previous Post

November 5, 2012

One day before election, Catholic vote remains good indicator

Next Post

November 6, 2012 US bishops launch religious freedom website

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which New Testament book quotes Psalm 110 to describe Jesus as the eternal High Priest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hebrews Revelation Acts Romans