Thursday, Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Featured Saints
St. Felix I, Pope (†274). He ruled the Church during the government of Emperor Aurelian.
St. Roger, Bishop of Bari, Italy (†1129).
St. Perpetuus of Tours, bishop (†491). He built the Basilica of St. Martin in Tours, France, and reestablished the practice of fasts and vigils in his church.
St. Anysius, Bispo (†406). He participated in the Synod of Capua and was highly praised by St. Ambrose for his fidelity to the doctrine of the Church.
St. Lawrence of Frazzano, monk (†c. 1162). He led a monastic life following the observance of the eastern Fathers in Frazzano, on the island of Sicily.
Blessed Giovanni Maria Boccardo, priest (†1913). Pastor in Pancalieri, Italy; he founded the Congregation of the Poor Daughters of St. Cajetan to care for orphans, the sick, elderly, and to provide Christian education for youth.
Blessed Eugenia Ravasco, virgin (†1900). Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, for the education of girls and assistance to poor and abandoned children.
Blessed Margaret Colonna, virgin (†1280). As a young lady from a noble family, she distributed her great fortune among the poor and founded a Clarist convent in Palestrina, Italy, dedicated to prayer, penance and contemplation.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1Jn 2:12-17
I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the Evil One. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong and the word of God remains in you, and you have conquered the Evil One. Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (R.11a)
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name! R.
Bring gifts, and enter his courts;
worship the LORD in holy attire.
Tremble before Him, all the earth. R.
Say among the nations: The LORD is King.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
He governs the peoples with equity. R.
Gospel – Lk 2:36-40
There was a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the Temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee,
to their own town of Nazareth.
The Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon Him.
