Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena
(†1380) Virgin and Doctor of the Church. At the age of 15, she became a Dominican tertiary and led a life of seclusion, prayer and fasting until the age of 20. Our Lord appeared to her and asked her to abandon her solitude and to embrace an apostolic way of life. She began to dedicate herself to the poor and sick, convert sinners, and expell demons. She played an important role in the Pope’s return from Avignon to Rome.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:32-37
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the Apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need. Thus Joseph, also named by the Apostles Barnabas (which is translated Ason of encouragement”), a Levite, a Cypriot by birth, sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.
Responsorial Psalm – 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5 (R.1a)
The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength. R.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD. R.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed:
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days. R.
Gospel – Jn 3:7b-15
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “You must be born from above. The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
Featured Saints
St. Severus of Naples, bishop (†c. 409). Bishop of Naples, loved by St. Ambrose as a brother and by his Church as a father.
St. Achard, Bishop and abbot (†1172). As Abbot of the Abbey of St. Victor in Paris, he was elected Bishop of Avranches, France. He wrote several works encouraging souls along the way of perfection.
St. Hugh of Cluny, abbot (†1109). Governed the monastery of Cluny in France for 61 years. He was advisor to nine Popes and many sovereigns of Western Europe.
St. Tychicus, Disciple of the Apostle St. Paul, by whom he was found worthy to be called “beloved brother and faithful minister” (Eph 6:21).
St. Anthony Kim Song-u, martyr (†1841). Killed during the religious persecution in Korea for gathering Catholics in his house to pray and read Scripture.
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