Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest
St. John Bosco, priest. Born in Castelnuovo d’Asti on August 16 of 1815 and received a solid Christian formation from his mother. He dedicated his priestly life to the formation of youth, founding two congregations for this purpose: the Society of St. Francis de Sales (Salesian Fathers) and, together with St. Maria Mazzarello, the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. A prolific writer of catechetical and apologetic works, his “Catholic Readings” spread throughout Italy. He died in 1888.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Heb 12:1-4
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 22:26b-27, 28 and 30, 31-32 (R. see27b)
R. They will praise You, Lord, who long for You.
I will fulfill my vows before those who fear Him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise Him:
“May your hearts be ever merry!” R.
All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before Him.
To Him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth;
Before Him shall bend
all who go down into the dust. R.
And to Him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve Him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice He has shown. R.
Gospel – Mk 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him, and He stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing Him he fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay Your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed Him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak. She said, “If I but touch His clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon You, and yet You ask, Who touched Me?” And He looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While He was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany Him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, He caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So He went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed Him. Then He put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with Him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
Featured Saints
St. Abraham, bishop and martyr (†345). Bishop of Arbela (Assyria), he was beheaded for refusing to obey the king’s order to adore the sun.
St. Francis Xavier Maria Bianchi, priest (†1815). Barnabite priest, proclaimed Apostle of Naples by Pope Leo XIII. He combined academic life with contemplation and works of charity.
St. Eusebius, religious (†884). Irish monk from the Benedictine Monastery of St. Gall, in Switzerland; he withdrew to Mount St. Victor in Vorarlberg, Austria, where he lived as a hermit for thirty years.
St. Metranus, martyr (†c. 249). For refusing to utter impious words, he was tortured and stoned by pagans in Alexandria, Egypt.
St. Marcella, widow (†410). St. Jerome attests of this Roman lady that, after despising her wealth and honours, she became even nobler through poverty and humility.
Blessed Candelaria of St. Joseph, virgin (†1940). She founded the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters of Mother Candelaria in Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela.
Blessed Louisa Albertoni, widow (†1533). After the death of her husband, she became a Franciscan tertiary and dedicated herself to works of charity, ministering to the poor in her own mansion.
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