Memorial of St. Monica
St. Monica widow.(†387 Ostia – Italy). Mother of St. Augustine, for whose conversion she shed many tears. Through her patience, she also obtained the conversion of the pagan husband. A model Christian mother, she died at the age of fifty, shortly after St. Augustine’s baptism, just as both were departing for Africa.
Other featured Saints
St. Guarinus, bishop (†1150). Having been a monk of Molesme during the time of St. Robert, he founded the Aulps Abbey in France, and united it to the Cistercian Order. He was elected Bishop of Sion, Switzerland.
St. David Lewis, priest and martyr (†1679). Jesuit priest who became the last of those martyred in Wales for the Catholic Faith after having clandestinely administered the Sacraments to Catholics in the Hereford-Monmouth region for thirty years.
St. Caesarius, bishop (†542). After living the monastic life on the Island of Lerins, he was appointed Bishop of Arles, France. He wrote a book of sermons as a catechetical aid for priests and drew up rules for monastic discipline.
Blessed Angelo Conti, priest (†1312). Priest of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, who died in Foligno, Italy, he stood out for patience in bearing affronts.
Blessed Maria del Pilar Izquierdo Albero, virgin (†1945). She was blind and paraplegic as the result of a series of infirmities; after a miraculous cure, she founded the Missionary Work of Jesus and Mary in Madrid.
St. Amadeus, bishop (†1159). Abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Hautecombe, France, he was elected Bishop of Lausanne, Switzerland.
St. Poemen, abbot (†fourth-fifth century). An anchorite famous for his wise teachings.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Thes 4:1-8
Brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God– and as you are conducting yourselves– you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality, that each of you know how to acquire a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you before and solemnly affirmed. For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Responsorial Psalm – 97:1 and 2b, 5-6, 10, 11-12 (R.12a)
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory. R.
The LORD loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful ones;
from the hand of the wicked he delivers them. R.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name. R.
Gospel – Mt 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise ones replied,
‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’
But he said in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’
Therefore, stay awake,
for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
