Feast of St. Romanus the Melodist, hymnographer of 1000 compositions, some master works of religious literature. One of the greatest of Syrio-Greek hymnographers of the 6th century, during the “Golden Age” of Byzantine hymnography. Patron of church singers.

Feast of St. Jerome, Geronimo in Italian, the most learned of the Fathers of the Western Church. Patron of Librarians. Died in 420.

Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, triumphant leader of God’s armies against Satan. Patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, Vatican City, Germany, France, Ukraine and Guardian of the Catholic Church.

Feast of St. Wenceslaus, martyr, Duke of Bohemia, “Good King Wenceslaus” of the Christmas carol. Patron of Prague, Bohemia and the Czech Republic.

Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, The Apostle of Charity, founder, the Vincentians. Patron of charities, hospitals, prisoners, volunteers, lost articles, spiritual help, Saint Vincent de Paul Societies and Vincentian Service Corps volunteers.

Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, twin martyrs under the Diocletianic persecutions.  Patrons of surgeons, physicians, dentists, barbers, pharmacists, veterinarians, orphanages, protectors of children, day-care centers, confectioners, against hernia and against the plague.

Feast of St. Cadoc, Welsh bishop and martyr. Patron of famine victims, deafness, glandular disorders, Glamorgan and Llancarfan Wales.

Feast of St. Gerard Sagredo (Gerard of Csanád), the first Bishop of Csanád in the Kingdom of Hungary, martyred with St. Bystrik and Buldus. Taught St. Emeric of Hungary. Patron of Hungary. Died 1046.

Feast of St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Capuchin friar, Italian priest, stigmatist, mystic.  Patron of Civil defense volunteers, adolescents, stress relief, January blues, Italy, Malta and Pietrelcina, Italy.

Feast of St. Thomas of Villanueva, Spanish Augustinian friar, archbishop, preacher, grand almoner of the poor, Patron of Villanova University.