Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
St. Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Born at the Chateau de Sales in the Kingdom of Savoy near Geneva, Switzerland, in the year 1567. Initially coadjutor Bishop of Annecy, he was appointed Bishop of Geneva during a time of great religious upheaval in Europe. He is the founder of the Visitation order, together with his spiritual daughter, St. Jane Frances de Chantal. A zealous pastor and excellent director of souls, he became known as the saint of sweetness and humility. He wrote various books, the most famous being the Introduction to the Devout Life.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-273
David returned from his defeat of the Amalekites and spent two days in Ziklag. On the third day a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. Going to David, he fell to the ground in homage. David asked him, “Where do you come from?” He replied, “I have escaped from the camp of the children of Israel.” “Tell me what happened,” David bade him. He answered that many of the soldiers had fled the battle and that many of them had fallen and were dead, among them Saul and his son Jonathan. David seized his garments and rent them, and all the men who were with him did likewise. They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the soldiers of the LORD of the clans of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. “Alas! the glory of Israel, Saul, slain upon your heights; how can the warriors have fallen! “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and cherished, separated neither in life nor in death, swifter than eagles, stronger than lions! Women of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and in finery, who decked your attire with ornaments of gold. “How can the warriors have fallen– in the thick of the battle, slain upon your heights! “I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother! most dear have you been to me; more precious have I held love for you than love for women. “How can the warriors have fallen, the weapons of war have perished!”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 80:2-3, 5-7 (R.4b)
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
O guide of the flock of Joseph!
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us. R.
O LORD of hosts, how long will you burn with anger
while your people pray?
You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in ample measure.
You have left us to be fought over by our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us. R.
Gospel – Mk 3:20-21
Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Featured Saints
St. Babylas, bishop and martyr (†250). Put to death in Antioch of Syria, present-day Turkey, during the persecution of Emperor Decius, together with three youths whom he instructed in the Faith.
St. Felician of Foligno, bishop (†third century). He evangelized a vast area of Umbria, Italy, and was the first bishop of that region for fifty-six years.
Blessed Timothy Giaccardo, priest (†1948). Religious of the Society of St. Paul, he formed many disciples to proclaim the Gospel through social communications media.
Blesseds Vincent Lewoniuk and twelve companions, martyrs (†1874). Laity from Pratulin, Poland; they were shot to death by Russian troops of the Czar for refusing to renounce the Catholic Church.
Blessed Marie Poussepin, virgin (†1744). Dominican tertiary; founded the Dominican Sisters of Charity of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin in Sainville, France.
Blessed Paola Gambara-Costa, widow (†1515). Franciscan tertiary from Binasco, Italy, she patiently endured abuse from her husband, leading him to conversion.
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