Wednesday of 2nd Week of Advent
Optional memorial of St. Damasus I, Pope (†384). Of Iberian descent, he was born in Rome around 305 and governed the Church for 18 years.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 40:25-31
To whom can you liken me as an equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 (R.1a)
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. R.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion. R.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes. R.
Gospel – Mt 11:28-30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
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 and
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, near Valencia, Spain.
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