more than all the other contributors to the treasury.”
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 12,38-44.
In the course of his teaching Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
St. Willibrord was born in Northumberland in 657. At twenty years old, he went to Ireland to study under St. Egbert. Twelve years later, he set out to convert the pagan tribes of northern Europe.
St. Willibrord went to Rome for the blessing of the Pope, and with eleven companions reached Utrecht. The pagans would not accept the religion of their enemies, the Franks; and St. Willibrord could only labor in the track of Pepin Heristal, converting the tribes whom Pepin subjugated.
At Pepin’s urgent request, St. Willibrord again went to Rome, and was consecrated Archbishop of Utrecht. As bishop for more than fifty years, St. Willibrord built churches, ordained priests, wrought miracles, and prophesied. His faith was radical as it broke the emptiness: Caritas filled the rational void in pagan rituals and worship.
St. Willibrord was stately in person, frank and joyous, wise in counsel and an unwearied shepherd. By converting the tribes under Frankish dominion, St. Willibrord sowed the seeds of egalitarianism and Western civilization.
Saturday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
6 November 2021
Holy Gospel of Jesus Chris
No servant can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16,9-15.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all these things and sneered at him. And he said to them, “You justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is of human esteem is an abomination in the sight of God.”
Saturday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
6 November 2021
Saint of the day
St. Leonard
(† c. 550)
SAINT LEONARD OF NOBLAC († c. 550)
Leonard, one of the chief personages of the court of Clovis, and for whom this monarch had stood as sponsor in baptism, was so moved by the discourse and example of St. Remigius that he relinquished the world in order to lead a more perfect life.
The Bishop of Rheims having trained Leonard to virtue, he became the apostle of the Franks who remained pagans. Fearing a summon to the court because of his reputation for sanctity, he withdrew secretly to the monastery of Micy, near Orleans, and afterwards to the solitude of Noblac near Limoges.
St. Leonard’s charity accustomed him to remain active in works of mercy: comforting prisoners and freeing them from spiritual enslavement. “You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Isa. 9:4). A true reformer, St. Leonard used his gifts to pour out Christ’s mercy; liberating prisoners.
Before passing away in peace and joining the Church Triumphant in heaven, St. Leonard constructed an abbey. He intercedes as the patron of slaves, captives, prisoners and all souls with faith in God.
‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your
stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 16,1-8.
Jesus said to his disciples, “A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, ‘What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.’ The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.’ He called in his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’ Then to another he said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.’ And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. “For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.”
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
_______________________________________________
Friday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
5 November 2021
Saint of the day
St. Bertilla
ABBESS
(7TH CENTURY)
IMAGE: N/A
SAINT BERTILLA Abbess (7th century)
St. Bertilla was born to an illustrious family in the territory of Soissons, France during the reign of Dagobert I. As she grew up, St. Bertilla learned to despise the vanities of the world. She longed for the consecrated life, but did not dare tell her parents. First, she consulted St. Ouen, who encouraged and helped build up her resolution.
When St. Bertilla announced that she desired to profess vows to her parents, they did not oppose, but rather helped her. They helped her move to Jouarre, a great monastery in Brie, four leagues from Meaux, where St. Bertilla was received with great joy and trained up in the strictest practice of monastic perfection.
By her perfect humility toward her sisters, St. Bertilla seemed every one’s servant, and acquitted herself with such great charity that she was chosen prioress to assist the abbess in her administration.
About the year 646, St. Bertilla was appointed as the first abbess of the abbey of Chelles. She administered the abbey with equal vigor and discretion for forty-six years.
Thursday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
4 November 2021
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15,1-10.
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them he addressed this parable. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Thursday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
4 November 2021
Saints of the day
St. Charles Borromeo
ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN
(† 1584)
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO Archbishop of Milan (1538-1584)
About fifty years after the Protestant heresy broke out, Our Lord raised up a youth to renew the face of His Church. In 1560, Charles Borromeo, then twenty-two years of age, was elected cardinal, and by the side of his uncle, Pius IV, administered the affairs of the Holy See.
His first care was the direction of the Council of Trent. He urged forward its sessions, guided its deliberations by continual correspondence from Rome, and with firmness carried it to its conclusion. Then he entered upon a still more arduous work: the execution of its decrees.
As Archbishop of Milan, St. Charles enforced the reforms from the Council of Trent and restored the discipline of his see. He founded schools for the poor, seminaries for clerics, and trained his priests to perfection with his community. Inflexible in maintaining discipline, to his flock he was a tender father. He would sit by the roadside to teach a poor man the Pater and Ave, and would enter hovels so dirty that tough men would cringe.
During the great plague, he refused to leave Milan, and was ever by the sick and dying. He even sold his bed to support the work. He passed away as a faithful servant, following the Good Shepherd to paradise.
Thursday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
4 November 2021
Saints of the day
St. Felix of Valois
CO-FOUNDER OF THE TRINITARIANS
(1127-1212)
SAINT FELIX OF VALOIS Hermit and co-founder of the Trinitarians (1127-1212)
St. Felix was son of the Count of Valois. His mother helped him cultivate his Faith and spirit. The unjust divorce between St. Felix’s parents matured a long-formed resolution to leave the world. He entrusted the care of his mother to her pious brother, Thibault, Count of Champagne; and he took the Cistercian habit at Clairvaux.
St. Felix’s rare virtues were conspicuous, but his particular calling was still taking shape. With St. Bernard’s consent, St. Felix departed for Italy where he led an austere life with an aged hermit. When St. Felix’s spiritual director passed away, he returned to France, and for many years lived as a solitary at Cerfroid. Here, God inspired him to found an Order for the redemption of Christian captives. St. John of Matha, moved by a similar impulse, joined St. Felix; and together they enshrined the rules of the Order of the Holy Trinity.
When many disciples rallied under their banner, Sts. Felix and John made a pilgrimage to Rome and obtained Pope Innocent III’s permission for their Order. Their prayers granted, St. Felix spent the next fifteen years of his life organizing and developing his foundations.
Although he passed away in 1212, the spirit and intercession of St. Felix carries on with the Trinitarians and the universal Church.
Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
3 November 2021
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and
come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14,25-33.
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If any one comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
3 November 2021
Saints of the day
St. Martin de Porres
RELIGIOUS
(1579-1639)
SAINT MARTIN de PORRES Religious (1579-1639)
Our hero’s story begins in Lima, Peru; where his Spanish father abandoned him and his native mother. The family grew up destitute, but Martin’s incredible sprit was uncontainable. An unconquerable work ethic belied a brilliant mind, as he received education and apprenticeship to a surgeon. More importantly, he spent deep nights in prayer. Fully in love and seeking his maker.
When he was fifteen, he sought admission to the Dominican order, but was only received as a servant because slaves were still being imported. Just to be close to the Sacraments and the altar, St. Martin toiled, performing menial labor, and begging to provide his Order with food. St. Martin himself never ate meat; and only the strength from penance in love could sustain such noble character.
St. Martin’s superiors broke the code of racism when they gave him St. Dominic’s habit. The fidelity and patience of St. Martin already tinging on heroism, the superiors placed him in charge of the infirmary, where he ministered to slaves and nobles alike. He worked so hard and did the worst jobs, that it was almost as if he sought out the suffering. Like St. Mother Teresa, they looked for Christ who suffered deprivation.
St. Martin passed away age 59 on November 3. The miracles during his life and those proceeding from his intercession were recognized, but it would be over one hundred years later before he was declared a saint. He is our intercessor in clutch moments and a source of inspiration forever.
Wednesday of the Thirty-first week in Ordinary Time
3 November 2021
Saints of the day
St. Hubert
BISHOP
(657-727)
SAINT HUBERT Bishop (657-727)
St. Hubert’s early life is so obscured by popular traditions that we have no authentic account of his actions. He is said to have been passionately addicted to hunting, and was entirely taken up in worldly pursuits. One thing is certain: he is the patron saint of hunters.
Moved by divine grace, he resolved to renounce the world. His extraordinary fervor, and the great progress which he made in virtue and learning, strongly recommended him to St. Lambert, Bishop of Maestricht, who ordained him, and entrusted him with the principal share in the administration of his diocese.
That holy prelate being murdered in 681, St. Hubert was unanimously chosen his successor. With incredible zeal, St. Hubert penetrated into the most remote and tribal places of Ardenne, and abolished the worship of idols. While evangelizing, God bestowed on St. Hubert the gift of miracles.
He passed away at seventy while reciting the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer.
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
2 November 2021
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne“
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 25,31-46.
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
2 November 2021
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
The Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed
It is very significant and appropriate that after the Solemnity of All Saints, the Liturgy has us celebrate the Commemoration of all of the Faithful Departed. The “communion of saints”, which we profess in the Creed, is a reality that is constructed here below, but is fully made manifest when we will see God “as he is” (I Jn 3: 2).
It is the reality of a family bound together by deep bonds of spiritual solidarity that unites the faithful departed to those who are pilgrims in the world. It is a mysterious but real bond, nourished by prayer and participation in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Mystical Body of Christ the souls of the faithful meet, overcoming the obstacle of death; they pray for one another, carrying out in charity an intimate exchange of gifts.
In this dimension of faith one understands the practice of offering prayers of suffrage for the dead, especially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, memorial of Christ’s Pasch which opened to believers the passage to eternal life.
Dear friends, may the traditional visit of these days to the tombs of our dear departed be an occasion to fearlessly consider the mystery of death and to cultivate that constant vigilance which prepares us to meet it serenely. The Virgin Mary, Queen of Saints… will help us.
We should consider, beloved brethren, and we should reflect constantly that we have renounced the world and as strangers and foreigners we sojourn here for a time (Heb 11,13). Let us embrace the day which assigns each of us to his dwelling, which on our being rescued from here and released from the snares of the world, restores us to paradise and the kingdom. What man, after having been abroad, would not hasten to return to his native land? Who, when hurrying to sail to his family, would not more eagerly long for a favorable wind that he might more quickly embrace his dear ones? We account paradise our country, we have already begun to look upon the patriarchs as our parents.
Why do we not hasten and run, so that we can see our country, so that we can greet our parents? A great number of our dear ones there await us, parents, brothers, children; a dense and copious throng longs for us, already secure in their safety but still anxious for our salvation… There are to be found the glorious choir of apostles, there the throng of exultant prophets, there the innumerable multitude of martyrs wearing crowns on account of the glory and victory of their struggle and passion, there the triumphant virgins…, the merciful enjoying their reward who have performed works of justice by giving food and alms to the poor, who in observing the precepts of the Lord have transferred their earthly patrimony to the treasuries of heaven!
To these, beloved brethren, let us hasten with eager longing! let us pray that it may befall us speedily to be with them, speedily to come to Christ. May God see this our purpose… who will give more ample rewards of His charity to those whose longings for Him have been greater.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5,1-12a.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. “
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
_______________________________________________
All Saints
1 November 2021
Saints of the day
All Saints’ Day
Holy Day of Obligation
Happy All Saints Day!
Through the celebration of all the saints, known and unknown, the Catholic Church honors the innumerable living and luminous witnesses of Christ. “All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity” (C.C.C §2013). But how can we experience this “intimate union with Christ”?
“The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. The children of our holy mother the Church rightly hope for the grace of final perseverance and the recompense of God their Father for the good works accomplished with his grace in communion with Jesus” (C.C.C §2015-2016).
All Saints’ Day, Holy Day of Obligation . All Saints’ Day (also known as All Hallows, Solemnity of All Saints, or The Feast of All Saints) is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. All Saints’ Day is the second day of Hallowmas, and begins at sunrise on the 1st of November and finishes at sundown on the 1st of November. It is the day before All Souls’ Day.
The Western Christian holiday of All Saints\’ Day falls on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November, and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.
The origin of the festival of All Saints celebrated in the West dates to 13 May 609 or 610, when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs; the feast of the dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres has been celebrated at Rome ever since. There is evidence that from the fifth through the seventh centuries there existed in certain places and at sporadic intervals a feast date on 13 May to celebrate the holy martyrs. The origin of All Saints’ Day cannot be traced with certainty, and it has been observed on various days in different places. However, there are some who maintain the belief that it has origins in the pagan observation of 13 May, the Feast of the Lemures, in which the malevolent and restless spirits of the dead were propitiated. Liturgiologists base the idea that this Lemuria festival was the origin of that of All Saints on their identical dates and on the similar theme of “all the dead”.
The feast of All Saints, on its current date, is traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (731–741) of an oratory in St. Peter’s for the relics “of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world”, with the day moved to 1 November and the 13 May feast suppressed.
This fell on the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which had a theme similar to the Roman festival of Lemuria, but which was also a harvest festival. The Irish, having celebrated Samhain in the past, did not celebrate All Hallows Day on this 1 November date, as extant historical documents attest that the celebration in Ireland took place in the spring: “…the Felire of Oengus and the Martyrology of Tallaght prove that the early medieval churches [in Ireland] celebrated the feast of All Saints on April 20.”
A November festival of all the saints was already widely celebrated on 1 November in the days of Charlemagne. It was made a day of obligation throughout the Frankish empire in 835, by a decree of Louis the Pious, issued “at the instance of Pope Gregory IV and with the assent of all the bishops”, which confirmed its celebration on 1 November. The octave was added by Pope Sixtus IV (1471–1484).
The festival was retained after the Reformation in the calendar of the Anglican Church and in many Lutheran churches. In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. In the Church of England it may be celebrated either on 1 November or on the Sunday between 30 October and 5 November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants of the English tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, the Methodist churches, and the Wesleyan Church.
Protestants generally regard all true Christian believers as saints and if they observe All Saints Day at all they use it to remember all Christians both past and present. In the United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those who have died who were members of the local church congregation.In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person\’s name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are affixed to a memorial plaque.
In many Lutheran churches, All Saints’ Day and Reformation Day are observed concurrently on the Sunday before or after those dates, given Reformation Day is observed in Protestant Churches on 31 October. Typically, Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is sung during the service. Besides discussing Luther’s role in the Protestant Reformation, some recognition of the prominent early leaders of the Reformed tradition, such as John Calvin and John Knox, occurs. The observance of Reformation Day may be immediately followed by a reading of those members of the local congregation who have died in the past year in observance of All Saints’ Day. Otherwise, the recognition of deceased church members occurs at another designated portion of the service. ::::
Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 12,28b-34.
One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, ‘He is One and there is no other than he.’ And ‘to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself’ is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that (he) answered with understanding, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask him any more questions.
St. Quintin was a Roman from a senatorial family. Full of zeal for the kingdom of God, St. Quintin went to Gaul with St. Lucian of Beauvais. They preached the Faith together until reaching Amiens in Picardy, where they parted. Lucian went to Beauvais, where he sowed the seeds of divine faith in the hearts of many, and received the martyr’s crown.
St. Quintin lived in Amiens and preached Jesus Christ crucified. His good actions scandalized some bad people. His enemeies condenmned him before local authorities, who imprisoned and torturned him. His body was pierced with two iron wires from the neck to the thighs, and iron nails were thrust under his nails and in his flesh in many places, particularly into his skull. Lastly, St. Quintin’s head was cut off.
St. Quintin was martyred and joined the Church triumphant on October 31, 287. He reigns with Christ alongside St. Lucian and the Saints.
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14,1.7-11.
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
________________________________________________
Saturday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
30 October 2021
Saint of the day
St. Marcellus
MARTYR
(3RD CENTURY)
SAINT MARCELLUS THE CENTURION Martyr (3rd century)
In the year 298, Emperor Maximian Herculeus’ birthday was celebrated with extraordinary feasting and pagan sacrifice. Marcellus, a Christian centurion in the legion of Trajan, then posted in Spain, left his company rather than partake in the pagan rituals.
When the festival was over, Marcellus was apprehended for being Christian. He was brought before a lenient judge, but in a twist of fate, his persecutors remanded him to a savage tormentor. Marcellus was taken to Aurelian Agricolaus, vicar to the prefect of the prætorium, who pronounced sentence of death.
Cassian, the secretary of the court, refused to write the sentence pronounced against Marcellus, calling it unjust. The former was imprisoned and beheaded a month after St. Marcellus on December 3.
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading
Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 14,1-6.
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?” But they were unable to answer his question.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
________________________________________________
Friday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
29 October 2021
Saint of the day
St. Narcissus
BISHOP
(2ND CENTURY)
SAINT NARCISSUS Bishop (2nd century)
St. Narcissus was consecrated Bishop of Jerusalem about the year 180. Although elderly, God attested his merits with miracles long-held in the memory of Jerusalem’s Christians.
One Holy Saturday in church, the faithful were in trouble because no oil could be found for the lamps during the Paschal feast. St. Narcissus bade them draw water from a neighboring well, prayed over it, and told them to put it in the lamps. The water had become oil; some of which was preserved.
Some were scandalized by the Saint’s eminent virtue. Three false acusers charged him with a henious crime. As narrated by some authors, the accusers confirmed their testimony by horrible imprecations: The first prayed that he might perish by fire, the second that he might be wasted by leprosy, and the third that he might be struck blind if they charged the bishop falsely. The holy bishop had long desired a life of solitude, and he withdrew secretly into the desert, leaving the Church in peace. But God spoke for his servant: the bishop’s accusers suffered the penalties they had invoked. Narcissus afterward returned to Jerusalem to resume his office.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from
them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles:
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 6,12-16.
Jesus departed to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
The name of Saint Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the apostles. Nothing is known of him except that he was born at Cana and is surnamed “The Zealot.”
Saint Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the apostle who asked the Lord at the Last Supper why he manifested himself just to his disciples and not to the whole world (John 12:22).
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13,22-30.
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
St. Frumentius was a child when his uncle, Meropins of Tyre, took him and his brother, Edesius, on a voyage to Ethiopia. During the course of their voyage, the vessel touched at a certain port, and barbarians put the crew and passengers to the sword, except the two children. They were carried to Axuma’s king, who, charmed with the boys’ wit and sprightliness, took special care of their education. Not long after, he made Edesius his cup-bearer and Frumentius, who was the elder, his treasurer and secretary of state. On his death-bed, he thanked them for their services and in recompense gave them their liberty.
After the king’s death, the queen begged them to remain at court and assist her in the government of the state, until their young king came of age. Edesius went back to Tyre, but St. Athanasius ordained Frumentius as bishop of Ethiopia. Vested with this sacred character, Frumentius gained great numbers to the Faith until the Lord called him at the end.
“It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures
of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13,18-21.
Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that a person took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush and ‘the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches.'” Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
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Tuesday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
26 October 2021
Saint of the day
St. Evaristus
POPE AND MARTYR
(† 112)
SAINT EVARISTUS Pope and Martyr († 112)
St. Evaristus succeeded St. Anacletus in the see of Rome during the reign of Trajan. He governed the Church nine years and passed away in 112.
The institution of cardinal priests is ascribed to St. Evaristus since he divided Rome into several parishes and assigned a priest to each. He also appointed seven deacons to attend the bishop.
Evaristus conferred holy orders thrice during the month of December. The ceremony was usually performed in seasons appointed for fasting and prayer.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13,10-17.
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the sabbath. And a woman was there who for eighteen years had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are set free of your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and she at once stood up straight and glorified God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus had cured on the sabbath, said to the crowd in reply, “There are six days when work should be done. Come on those days to be cured, not on the sabbath day.” The Lord said to him in reply, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger and lead it out for watering? This daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound for eighteen years now, ought she not to have been set free on the sabbath day from this bondage?” When he said this, all his adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by him.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen
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Monday of the Thirtieth week in Ordinary Time
25 October 2021
Saints of the day
Sts. Crispin & Crispinian
MARTYRS
(† C. 287)
SAINTS CRISPIN and CRISPINIAN Martyrs († c. 287)
Sts. Crispin and Crispinian were brothers and nobles. They went from Rome to preach the Faith in Gaul toward the middle of the third century. Fixing their residence at Soissons, they instructed many in the Faith of Christ, which they preached publicly in the day, and at night they worked at making shoes.
Many Celts received faith in Jesus Christ by their preaching of the Gospel. Like St. Paul, the brothers “became all things to all people.” Especially effective were their examples of charity, disinterestedness, contempt of earthly glory and heavenly piety. Many Celts converted to Christianity.
The brothers worked in Gaul for several years before a malicious complaint was lodged against them. The emperor, to gratify the accusers, ordered that the brothers be tried by Varus, an cruel persecutor of Christians.
The brothers were patient and constant under torture, and were martyred by the sword about the year 287.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10,46-52.
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things and I desire You in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though You were already there,
I embrace You and unite myself wholly to You;
Permit not that I should ever be separated from You. Amen.
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Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
24 October 2021
Saints of the day
St. Anthony Mary Claret
ARCHBISHOP
(1807-1870)
SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET Claretian Archbishop and Founder (1807-1870)
St. Anthony Claret founded The Claretians. Their schools and libraries spanning the globe trace back to St. Anthony’s tireless missions. A reformer and peacemaker, St. Antony abandoned his own will, relying wholly on the will of Jesus with devotion to Mary.
St. Anthony was ordained in 1835 after recovering from an illness. His preaching was successful and he championed the cause of the poor. St. Anthony’s works scandalized anti-clerical groups. The threats made on his life saw him sent abroad. When he returned, he founded The Claretians.
St. Anthony was elected archbishop of Cuba for his brilliant preaching and apostolic success. By the time he returned, he had survived an assasination attempt for reforms, like building schools, credit unions, and preaching racial equality. “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have enough room for the books that would be written.”
In 1857, St. Anthony was appointed confessor to Queen Isabella of Spain. He built hospitals, colleges and other institutions. Even forced exile did not stop him from preaching and pursuing missions for education. He passed away on October 24, 1870 in a Cistercian abbey in Fontfroide, Narbonne, southern France.
St. Magloire was born in Brittany at the end of the fifth century. When he and his cousin, St. Sampson, came of an age, Sampson entered a monastery and Magloire returned home.
Magloire’s father, Amon, was cured of a dangerous disease by prayer. In response, Magloire, Amon and Amon’s wife gave their belongings to the poor, and received the habit in Sampson’s monastery. When Sampson was elected bishop, Magloire accompanied him in Armorica, or Brittany.
St. Magloire resigned his bishopric at seventy years old and retired into a desert on the continent, and some time after into the isle of Jersey. There, he founded another monastery and governed sixty monks.
FRANCIS XAVIER SAMSEN 