Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent
Featured Saints
St. Maravillas de Jesus, virgin (†1974). Daughter of the Marquis of Pidal, ambassador of Spain to the Holy See, she left the world to become a Carmelite religious, and founded several monasteries in Spain and India. See also: The Reform of the Incarnation, and St. Teresa’s Kitchen
St. Damasus I, Pope (†384). Of Iberian descent, he was born in Rome around 305 and governed the Church for 18 years.
St. Daniel the Stylite, priest (†493). After living in a monastery, he followed the example of St. Simeon, living atop a column for thirty-three years, until his death in Constantinople, Turkey.
Blessed Jerome Ranuzzi, priest (†c. 1468). He became a priest in the Order of the Servants of Mary and was a professor in several different Servite houses in Italy.
Blessed Arthur Bell, priest and martyr (†1643). Franciscan religious executed in London during the reign of Charles I, simply for being a Catholic priest.
Blessed David, monk (†1179). Admitted by St. Bernard into the Abbey of Clairvaux, he was sent with other monks to found a monastery in Germany, where he engaged in prayer and good works.
Blessed Francis Lippi, hermit (†1292). Soldier living a licentious life, he lost his sight and, repentant, went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, where he was cured. He returned to Italy, becoming a Carmelite hermit.
Blessed Maria Pilar Villalonga Villalba, virgin and martyr (†1936). Laywoman of a deep spiritual life, dedicated to apostolate in parish associations. She was imprisoned and shot during religious persecution in Spain.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
In those days,
like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah
whose words were as a flaming furnace.
Their staff of bread he shattered,
in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens
and three times brought down fire.
How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with fiery horses.
You were destined, it is written, in time to come
to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD,
To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons,
and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.
Blessed is he who shall have seen you
and who falls asleep in your friendship.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19 (R.4)
R. Lord, make us turn to You; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power. R.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong. R.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name. R.
Gospel – Mt 17:9a, 10-13
As they were coming down from the mountain,
the disciples asked Jesus,
“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
but I tell you that Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased.
So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood
that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
