Memorial of St. Stanislaus of Krakow
St. Stanislaus, bishop and martyr (†1079). Bishop of Krakow, killed by King Boleslaw II of Poland, whom he had reproached for scandals and counselled to respect the Catholic precepts regarding marriage.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 5:27-33
When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, “We gave you strict orders did we not,
to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior o grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Responsorial Psalm – PS 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20 (R. 7a)
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.R.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them. R.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him. R.
Gospel – Jn 3:31-36
The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
Featured Saints
St. Gemma Galgani, virgin (†1905). Italian Mystic and ardent devotee of the Cross of Our Lord; she was privileged with the stigmata and died on Holy Saturday at age 25. See also: From His Wounds Issued Flames As of Fire, and A Rare Pearl.
Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso, priest (†1495). Left his office as senator in Piedmont, distributed his goods and became a Franciscan.
Blessed Lanuíno, monk (†1119). He was chosen to accompany St. Bruno in the service of the Pope. After the founder’s death, he was elected as prior of the monasteries. Despite being frequently obliged to travel on papal missions, he never lost the Carthusian spirit.
Blessed Symforian Ducki, religious and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Capuchin, martyred in Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland.
Blessed Sancha of Portugal, virgin (†1229). Daughter of King Sancho I, she renounced earthly goods and consecrated herself to God in the Cistercian monastery of Celas, founded by her near Coimbra.
Blessed Elena Guerra, virgin (†1914). Founded the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Lucca, Italy.
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