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 10:32-39
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering. At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated. You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence; it will have great recompense. You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised. For, after just a brief moment,he who is to come shall come; he shall not delay. But my just one shall live by faith, and if he draws back I take no pleasure in him. We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 37:3-4, 5-6, 23-24, 39-40 (R.39a)
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests. R.
Commit to the LORD your way;
trust in him, and he will act.
He will make justice dawn for you like the light;
bright as the noonday shall be your vindication. R.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate,
for the hand of the LORD sustains him. R.
The salvation of the just is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in time of distress.
And the LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him. R.
Gospel – Mk 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
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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