Memorial of St. Agatha, virgin and martyr
Virgin martyred in the year 250. She was a young noblewoman from Catania, Sicily, where the Church suffered terrible persecution. St. Agatha has been greatly venerated by the Popes, and owes to St. Gregory Gregory the Great the inclusion of her name into the Roman Canon.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Chronicles 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf when he said, ‘If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel.'” David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years: he reigned seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David, with his sovereignty firmly established.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a (R. see 17)
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.” R.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.” R.
“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.” R.
“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.” R.
Gospel – Mk 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick –no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Featured Saints
St. Sabas the younger, monk (†995). Together with his brother St. Macarius, he spread monastic life in Calabria and Lucania (Italy), during a time of devastation caused by the Saracens.
Blessed Elizabeth Canori Mora, housewife (†1825). She patiently and charitably endured her husband’s infidelity and abuse. She joined the Third Order of the Trinitarians in Rome, offering her life for the conversion of sinners, and was favoured with mystical gifts.
St. Luke of Lucania, abbot (†995). He lived a monastic life, initially in Sicily, and then in several other places, fleeing the Saracen incursions. He died in the monastery of Sts. Elias and Anastasius, which he had founded in Carbone (Italy).
St. Adelaide, abbess (†1015). Descendant of high nobility, she became a nun and was elected abbess of the Monastery of Villich, Germany. She adopted the Benedictine Rule and promoted the intellectual formation of the religious.
Blessed Françoise Mézière, virgin and martyr (+1794). A laywoman who dedicated herself to caring for the sick and teaching poor children. For her faith she was decapitated in Laval during the French Revolution.
St. Jesus Méndez Montoya, priest and martyr (†1928). Killed by firing squad in the Archdiocese of Morelia during the Mexican persecution.
St. Avitus, bishop (†518). Converted St. Sigismund, King of Burgundy, to Catholicism. He defended the Gauls from the Arian heresy and died in Vienne, France.
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