Memorial St. Cyril, monk and St. Methodius, bishops
These brother-saints, apostles to many Slavic peoples, are recognized as co-patrons of Europe, together with St. Benedict. St. Cyril, who in his missionary work developed what became known as the Cyrillic alphabet for the Slavonic language died in Rome in 869. St. Methodius, who baptized Prince Bořivoj and his wife, St. Ludmila, the first Czech rulers to embrace the Faith, died in 885 in Moravia.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Jas 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. The brother in lowly circumstances should take pride in high standing, and the rich one in his lowliness, for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.” For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Responsorial Psalm – 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76 (R.77a)
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I hold to your promise. R.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes. R.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes. R.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces. R.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. R.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants. R.
Gospel – Mk 8:11-13
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from Him a sign from heaven to test Him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then He left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.
Other featured Saints
St. Auxentius, priest (†fifth century). He left his post in the Imperial guard to become a hermit, forthwith dedicating his life to mortification and the defence of the Faith.
St. John Baptist of the Conception Garcia, priest (†1613). Trinitarian religious and a man of great learning and oratorical gifts. Repentant of the vanity of worldly esteem, he withdrew to the Monastery of Valdepeñas, Spain, where he undertook the reform of his Order, defending it amidst great difficulties.
St. Antoninus, abbot (†c. 830). Monk from the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino. When it was destroyed by the Lombards, he withdrew to solitary life near Sorrento.
St. Vincent Vilar David, martyr (†1937). Renowned engineer of Manises, Spain, killed during the Spanish Civil War for refusing to renounce the Faith and for assisting priests and religious, giving them shelter in his home.