Memorial of St. Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs
St. Paul Miki and Companions (†1597). Twenty- six martyrs in Nagasaki, Japan. The group was comprised of three Japanese Jesuit catechists – St. Paul Miki among them – six Spanish Franciscan missionaries, and seventeen Japanese Third Order Franciscans, laymen. They were raised on crosses and then pierced with spears.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Heb 12:18-19, 21-24
Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 48:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 9, 10-11 (R. see 10)
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth. R.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold. R.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever. R.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full. 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. Vedastus (Vaast), bishop (†circa 540). By order of St. Remigius he gave Christian instruction to King Clovis. He was Bishop of Arras, France for 40 years and evangelized the pagans of that region.
St. Amand of Elnon, bishop (†circa 679). He was elected bishop after many years of hermetic life. He preached missions around Flanders and along the Danube and died in the monastery which he had founded in Elnon, France.
St. Brinolfo Algotsson, Bishop (†1317). Wise and dedicated prelate of Skara, Sweden.
St. Alphonse Maria Fusco, priest (†1910). He founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist in Angri, italy.
St. Matthew Correa, priest and martyr (†1927). He refused to break the seal of Confession during the persecution of the Church and was shot in Durango, Mexico.
Blessed Francis Spinelli, priest (†1913). Seminary professor, and spiritual director and advisor for several communities of nuns. With St. Gertrude Comensoli, he founded the Congregation of the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. He died in Cremona, Italy.
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