Memorial of St. Jean-Marie Vianney
St. Jean-Marie Vianney, priest (†1859 Ars-sur-Formans – France). Popularly known as the Curé of Ars, he is the Patron Saint of diocesan priests. He was a model parish priest in the city of Ars, where he spent 42 years, since the inhabitants vehemently objected to his transfer. As a great apostle of the Sacrament of Penance, he displayed mystical gifts of discernment in administering it, attracting multitudes to the confessional, thus obtaining countless conversions.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD: For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book. For thus says the LORD: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; There is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you. Thus says the LORD: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; City shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them. His sons shall be as of old, his assembly before me shall stand firm; I will punish all his oppressors. His leader shall be one of his own, and his rulers shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly risk of approaching me? says the LORD. You shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23 (R.17)
R. The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
When the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
When he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer. R.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
“The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die.” R.
The children of your servants shall abide,
and their posterity shall continue in your presence,
That the name of the LORD may be declared on Zion;
and his praise, in Jerusalem,
When the peoples gather together
and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. R.
Gospel – Mt 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.” After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
or:
Mt 15:1-2, 10-14
Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Cecilia Cesarini, virgin (†1290). She received the religious habit from St. Dominic himself, in Bologna, Italy.
St. Raynerius, Bishop and martyr (†1180). Elected Bishop of Cagli, Italy, he suffered much to defend the rights of the Church. He was stoned to death in Split, Croatia.
St. Euphronius, bishop (†573). He restored many churches in the city of Tours, France, founded new parishes and spread devotion to the Holy Cross.
Blessed Henry Joseph Krzysztofik, priest and martyr (†1942). Capuchin from the monastery of Lublin, Poland, he was deported to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, where he died.
St. Euphronius, bishop (†573). He participated in several councils, restored and built shrines in the city of Tours of which he was bishop, and promoted veneration of the Holy Cross.
St. Aristarchus. Macedonian Christian, disciple of St. Paul, faithful companion on his journeys and imprisonment in Rome.
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