Friday of the 4th Week of Advent
Optional memorial of St. John of Kanty (or Cantius), priest (†1473). A theologian and professor of Sacred Scripture for many years at the University of Krakow, Poland, thus serving as a model and teacher for several generations of priests. Patron saint of Poland and Lithuania.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Mal 3:1-4, 23-24
Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending My messenger to prepare the way before Me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD Whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who will endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in the days of old, as in years gone by. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with doom.
Responsorial Psalm – 25:4-5ab, 8-9, 10 and 14 (R. see Luke 21:28)
R. Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me Your paths,
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are God my savior. R.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus He shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
He teaches the humble His way. R.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep His covenant and His decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear Him,
and His covenant, for their instruction. R.
Gospel – Lk 1:57-66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
Featured Saints
St. Yves, bishop (†1116). In the Diocese of Chartres, France, he re-established order among the clergy and laboured and wrote much to promote concord between the civil and ecclesial powers, for the good of the Church.
St. Thorlac of Skálholt, bishop (†1193). He was ordained a priest at age 19. Appointed Bishop of Skálholt, Iceland, he dedicated himself to the moral restoration of the clergy and people.
St. Servulus of Rome (†c. 590). A paralytic from childhood, he begged alms at the entrance of St. Clement’s Church in Rome, and shared what he received with other poor people.
St. Joseph Cho Yun-ho, martyr (†1866). Clubbed to death at a young age in Tjyen-Tiyon (Korea), for following in the steps of his father, the martyr St. Peter Cho Hwa-sŏ.
Blessed Nicholas Factor, priest (†1583). Franciscan priest who, on fire with love of God, experienced ecstasies on various occasions. He died in Valencia, Spain at 63 years of age.
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