Recta Ratio

From Sext of the Hours of the Virgin of a Book of Hours probably from northern France, possibly the diocese of Chartres, c. 1510

Illumination from a French Book of Hours by Jean Bourdichon (1457-1521) c. 1498

Book of Hours, use of Rome, Master of James IV of Scotland, Bruges or Ghent, circa 1510

From a 15th century Flemish Book of Hours

From the De Grey Book of Hours in the National Library of Wales

1st Octave of Christmas, Solemnity of the Blessed Mother, Circumcision of Lord
2nd Most Holy Name of Jesus
3rd St. Genivieve
4th St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
5th St. John Neumann (Twelfth Night)
6th Epiphany of the Lord
7th St. Raymond of Penafort
10th St. William of Bourges
12th St. Benedict Biscop
14th St. Hilary of Poitiers
15th St. Paul the Hermit
17th St. Anthony the Abbot
18th Chair of St. Peter
20th St. Sebastian
21st St. Agnes
23rd Espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph
24th St. Francis de Sales
25th Conversion of St. Paul
26th SS. Timothy & Titus
27th St. Angela Merici
28th St. Thomas Aquinas and Bl. Charlemagne
31st St. John Bosco

January begins in the Season of Christmas, and ends in the Season After Epiphany. There are no ember periods in January. Septuagesima Sunday is February 4th.

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's public prayer intentions for the month of January are:
General:
That in our time, unfortunately marked by many episodes of violence, the Church’s bishops and priests may continue to indicate the way of peace and understanding among peoples.

Mission:
That the Church in Africa may become a constantly more authentic witness of the Good News of Christ and be committed, in every Nation, to the promotion of reconciliation and peace.

Flemish 15th century Book of Hours

Seventeen years ago today, my father died at the age of 69. He and my mother had just retured from Mass, because that year, as this, New Year's Eve was a Sunday. He had been chipping ice on the porch of an elderly lady neighbor, and just keeled over.

V. Requiem aeternam, dona ei Domine.
R. Et lux perpetua luceat in ei.
V. Requiescat in pace.
R. Amen.

Annunciation to the shepards, from Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry