OM: St. Albert the Great, OP Bishop & Doctor of the Church - St. Rose of Lima Catholic School

Today the Church celebrates the optional memorial of St. Albert the Great, son of a German nobleman, who was studying at Padua when the Master General of the Dominicans, Jordan of Saxony, succeeded in attracting him to that Order.

He was to become one of its greatest glories. After taking his degrees at the University of Paris he taught philosophy and theology at Paris and then in Cologne. St. Thomas Aquinas was among his pupils.

His knowledge was encyclopedic. In 1260 he was named Bishop of Ratisbon and devoted himself zealously to the duties of his office. But soon resigned in order to continue his teaching and research.

St. Albert died in Cologne on November 15, 1280.

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  O God, who made the Bishop Saint Albert great by his joining of human wisdom to divine faith, grant, we pray, that we may so adhere to the truths he taught, that through progress in learning we may come to a deeper knowledge and love of you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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RENAMING A SCHOOL:

ST. ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC

Last year, during a visitation to St. Martin de Porres Parish, Msgr. Muldoon and I visited Bayshore Catholic School and learned that parents were considering asking the Ottawa Catholic School Board for authorization to change the name so that it might be more obviously Catholic, under the patronage of a saint.

In researching saints, the parents and school committee noted the relationship of St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose in Lima and felt this was an association that could be helpful. 

Yesterday, at the Mass to celebrate with the students, teachers and staff of the newly-renamed school, I also mentioned the holy bishop, St. Turibius of Mongrovejo who likely confirmed both of the young saints.

The children are keenly interested in learning about their new patron as was evident from the extensive artwork in the school.  A statue of the saint is currently stuck in a warehouse in New York, unable to move for a bit longer as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Here are some images from the school--and the original dedication plaque of 1966--and some photos of the reception in the staff lunch room afterwards.