Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop (†1584). Born in 1538, of a noble Italian family. At only 21 years of age, he was consecrated as Bishop of Milan, and raised to a Cardinal by his uncle, Pope Pius IV. He gave extraordinary examples of virtue and was a perfect model of pastor of souls. He was instrumental in applying the reforms of the Council of Trent, and died at the age of 46. See: Seek to Preach with Your Life
Other Featured Saints
St. Felix of Valois (†thirteenth century). Prince of the royal French house, he renounced the world and aided St. John of Matha in founding the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the ransom of captive Christians.
St. Emeric of Hungary (†1031). Son of St. Stephen of Hungary, he collaborated with his father in the evangelization of his subjects. He died at the age of 24.
St. Pierius,priest (†fourth century). Priest of Alexandria and outstanding philosopher, known especially for his virtuous life and voluntary poverty..
St. Modesta, abbess (†seventh century). Consecrated to God since childhood, she was the first abbess of the hermitage of St. Mary of Oehren in Trier, Germany
Blessed Helen Enselmini, virgin (†1242). She received the habit from St. Francis; St. Anthony of Padua was her spiritual director. Stricken by a painful infirmity, she gave heroic proofs of patient resignation.
Blessed Frances d’Amboise, religious (†1485). Married to Peter II, Duke of Brittany, both agreed to keep perfect chastity. she founded the first female Carmel of France, to which she withdrew when she was widowed.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Rom 14:7-12
Brothers and sisters:
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.
For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For this is why Christ died and came to life,
that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why then do you judge your brother or sister?
Or you, why do you look down on your brother or sister?
For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written:
As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.
So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1bcde, 4, 13-14 (R.13)
R.I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. R.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R.
Gospel – Lk 15:1-10
The 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 Jesus addressed this parable to them.
“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.”
