Saturday of the 2nd Week of Advent
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.
Featured Saints
Prophet Haggai. In the time of Zerubbabel, ruler of Judah, he exhorted the people to reconstruct the Temple.
St. Adelaide, empress (†999). A Burgundian princess who became the spouse of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I. She demonstrated great charity toward the indigent and contributed to the Church’s growth in the empire, building several churches and monasteries.
St. Ado of Vienne, bishop (†875) Of noble birth, he renounced the world and became a Benedictine monk. He wrote an updated Roman Martyrology, published in 858. He became the archbishop of Vienne, reforming the clergy there, and firmly opposing the unlawful remarriage of Lothair II, king of Lorraine.
St. Eberhard, confessor (†867). Duke of Friuli and important figure in the Holy Roman Empire. He founded a monastery of Canons Regular in Cysoing, France, to which his remains were transferred some years after his death.
Blessed Sebastian Maggi, priest (†1496). Italian Dominican religious and eminent theologian, he exercised the office of prior in several houses of his Order, striving to re-establish the observance as promoted by St. Catherine of Sienna and Blessed Raymond of Capua. He died at the monastery of Santa Maria di Castello in Genoa.
Blessed Honorat of Biala Podlaska, priest (†1916). Capuchin priest, he dedicated himself to administering the Sacrament of Penance, preaching the Gospel and consoling prisoners. He died in Nowe Miasto, Poland.
Blessed Clemente Marchisio, priest (†1903). Parish priest from Rivalba, Italy; he founded the Institute of the Daughters of St. Joseph.
Blessed Philip Siphong Onphitak, martyr (†1940). Lay catechist and father of a family and who was shot for his Faith during the religious persecution in Thailand.
Blessed Mary of the Angels Fontanella, virgin (†1717). At age 15 she entered the Carmel of Turin, Italy, and eventually became prioress. She left many writings on the spiritual life.
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