Friday of the 1st Week of Advent
Optional memorial of St. Nicholas, bishop († 350). Bishop of Myra, in present-day Turkey. He was renowned for his miracles and is recognized as the patron Saint of Russia. His relics were carried to Bari (Italy) and for this reason, he is also known as St. Nicholas of Bari.
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.
Featured Saints
St. Peter Pascual, bishop and martyr († 1300). Mercedarian religious, appointed Bishop of Jaen, Spain. He was captured by the Moors while visiting the faithful of his diocese and died in captivity in Granada.
St. Obitius, penitent († 1204). When close to death in battle, he experienced a a vision of hell , which convinced that he would have deserved condemnation if he had died on that occasion. Abandoning his military career, he became a Benedictine oblate in the monastery of Santa Giulia, in Brescia, Italy.
St. Joseph Nguyễn Duy Khang, martyr († 1861). Catechist and traveling companion of Bishop Jerome Hermosilla, in Vietnam. He was tortured and beheaded during the persecution of Emperor Tu Ðúc.
St. Dionysia, St. Majoricus, and companions, martyrs († 5th century). They were subjected to grievous tortures by the Arian king Hunneric. Majoricus, yet a child, was terrified in the face of torture, but was sustained by the words of his mother, Dionysia.
Blessed John Scheffler, Bishop and martyr († 1952). Hungarian born, he was appointed Bishop of Satu Mare, Romania. Under the atheist regime, he died in prison in Bucharest.
Blessed Luísa Maria Cañizares, virgin († 1936). A university professor from Valencia. During the Spanish Civil War she was arrested, and when she refused to renounce her Faith, she had her eyes and tongue torn out before being shot.
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