Mass Readings

First Reading – Jer 20:7-9

You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped; You were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself, I will not mention Him, I will speak in His name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

Responsorial Psalm – 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (R.2b)

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R.

You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me. R.

Second Reading – Rom 12:1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Gospel – Mt 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

Featured Saints

St. Pammachius (†410). Roman senator and close friend of St. Jerome. As a widower, he devoted himself to a life of piety and works of charity.

 Blessed Eustachius van Lieshout, priest (†1943). A priest of Dutch origin belonging to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Brazil. He was favoured with the gift of healing and acquired a reputation for sanctity during his life.

St. Margaret Ward, virgin, martyr (+1588). She was arrested during the reign of Elizabeth I for helping a priest escape from prison, but refused under torture to reveal his hiding place or to renounce her Faith. She was executed in London.

Blessed Maria Rafols, virgin (†1853). Through many hardships, with wisdom and holy zeal she guided the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Anne, which she had founded in Zaragoza, Spain.

Blessed John Juvenal Ancina, bishop (†1604). Young doctor who entered the Congregation of the Oratory and stood out as a preacher in Naples, Italy; he was named Bishop of Saluzzo.

St. Fiacre, hermit (†c. 670). Native of Ireland, he settled in a solitary place in France where he built a cell and an oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The multitudes that flocked there seeking his aid eventually  gave rise to the village of Saint-Fiacre.

St. Bononius, abbot (†1026). He lived a hermetic life in Egypt and on Mount Sinai. Upon returning to Italy, he was appointed abbot of Lucedio.

Blessed Alfred Ildefonso Schuster, bishop (†1954). Benedictine monk, he was abbot of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, and later Archbishop of Milan.

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Saints of August 30

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