Memorial of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (†1153 Langres – France). At age 22, together with a group of 30 other men made up of friends and relatives, he entered the monastery of Citaux. His superior, St. Stephen Harding, later sent him to found a new monastery in Clairvaux, where he brought about the great Cistercian reform, favoured with great growth. He was also influential in convincing his only sister St. Humbeline to abandon the world and embrace religious life. Renowned for his inspired preaching and writing, which earned him the title the Mellifluous Doctor, St. Bernard was a great proponent of Marian piety, and a counselor to kings and Popes.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ez 43:1-7AB
The angel led me to the gate which faces the east, and there I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. I heard a sound like the roaring of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. The vision was like that which I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and like that which I had seen by the river Chebar. I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple by way of the gate which faces the east, but spirit lifted me up and brought me to the inner court. And I saw that the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD. Then I heard someone speaking to me from the temple, while the man stood beside me. The voice said to me: Son of man, this is where my throne shall be, this is where I will set the soles of my feet; here I will dwell among the children of Israel forever.
Responsorial Psalm – PS 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R.see 10b)
R. The glory of the Lord will dwell in our land.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land. R.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven. R.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps. R.
Gospel – Mt 23:1-12
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Maria Climent Mateu, virgin and martyr (†1936). Franciscan tertiary shot to death during the Spanish Civil War
St. Philibert, abbot (†c. 684). Educated at the court of King Dagobert; he became a monk while still an adolescent. He founded and directed the abbeys of Jumièges and Noirmoutier, in France.
St. Bernard Tolomei, abbot (†1348). Founder of the Benedictine Congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Monte Oliveto, he went to Siena, Italy, to assist his monks during an epidemic and died from the disease.
Blessed Maria Climent Mateu, virgin and martyr (†1936). Third Order Franciscan dedicated to the lay apostolate, killed by firing squad for her Faith during the Spanish Civil War.
St. Samuel, prophet. Called by God as a child; judge of Israel. He anointed Saul as king, who was unfaithful, and later anointed David, of whose lineage Jesus was born.
St. Maria de Mattias, virgin (†1866). Disciple of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of Christ in Rome.
St. Maximus, monk (†fifth century). Disciple of St. Martin of Tours and monk in the Abbey of Île-Barbe (in Lyon, France). He founded a monastery near Chinon, where he spent the rest of his life.
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