Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier, priest. Born in 1506 in the Xavier Castle, in Navarre, Spain. He studied in Paris, where he met St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was among the first group which of the Company of Jesus founded by the latter. At 35 years of age, he was sent as a missionary to the Portuguese colonies in India, Goa becoming the centre of his activities. From there, he proceeded to Japan, where he constituted the first nucleus of Christians. He next planned to carry out a mission in China, but died on the way, on the Shangchuan Island at the age of 46. He, together with St. Therese of the Child Jesus, is the patron of missions. See: Sincere and Religious Love
Other featured Saints
St. Birinus, bishop (†650). Sent by Pope Honorius I as a missionary to Britain, he preached among the West Saxons, obtained the conversion of King Cynegils and established his episcopal see in Dorchester.
St. Zephaniah (Sophonias), prophet. During the reign of Josiah, this Old Testament prophet foretold the ruin of the ipious and fortified the poor and needy in the hope of salvation.
Blessed Edward Coleman, martyr (†1678). He converted to Catholicism and served as secretary to the Duchess of York. Falsely accused of conspiracy, he was executed during the reign of Charles II.
Blessed Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer, Bispo (†1860). Born in northern Italy to Austrian parents, he became the Bishop of Trent, and was an admirable testimony of ardent charity for his diocese during difficult times.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 29:17-24
Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 (R.1a)
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. R.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R.
Gospel – Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out,
“Son of David, have pity on us!”
When he entered the house,
the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them,
“Do you believe that I can do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they said to him.
Then he touched their eyes and said,
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
And their eyes were opened.
Jesus warned them sternly,
“See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
