Feast of St. Mark, evangelist and martyr
St. Mark, Evangelist and martyr († First century). Disciple of St Peter, who refers to him as “my son”, and the author of the second Gospel. He accompanied St. Paul and Barnabas on their journey to Antioch and on the mission to Cyprus.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Pt 5:5b-14
Beloved: Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for: God opposes the proud but bestows favor on the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon Him because he cares for you. Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your brothers and sisters throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To Him be dominion forever. Amen. I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17 (R. 2)
R.For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim Your faithfulness.
For You have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in Heaven you have confirmed Your faithfulness. R.
The heavens proclaim Your wonders, O LORD,
and Your faithfulness, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies can rank with the LORD?
Who is like the LORD among the sons of God? R.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of Your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At Your name they rejoice all the day,
and through Your justice they are exalted. R.
Gospel – Mk 16:15-20
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Then the Lord Jesus, after He spoke to them, was taken up into Heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Featured Saints
St. Anianus of Alexandria, bishop (†circa 67). Shoemaker converted by St. Mark, and served as his successor in the See of Alexandria, Egypt, governing it for 22 years.
St. Stephen of Antioch, bishop and martyr (†479). He was thrown in the Orontes River and drowned by adherents to the monophysite heresy for defending the Catholic Faith in Antioch.
St. Erminus, abbot and bishop (†737). Succeeded St. Ursmar in the governance of Lobbes Abbey in Belgium. He led an profound life of prayer and received the spirit of prophecy.
Blessed Giovanni Piamarta, priest (†1913). Founded the Congregation of Poor Servants of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Brescia, Italy, to provide young men with a religious formation and the opportunity to learn a trade.
St. Peter of St. Joseph Betancur, religious (†1667). Franciscan tertiary, he founded the Order of Bethlehemites in Antigua, Guatemala, to care for orphans, beggars, illiterate and outcast youths, immigrants and those condemned to forced labour in Antigua, Guatemala.
St. Franca of Piacenza, abbess (†1218). Superior of the Cistercian monastery of Montelana, Italy, she spent entire nights in prayer.
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