Mass Readings

First Reading – Gn 28:10-22a

Jacob departed from Beer-sheba and proceeded toward Haran. When he came upon a certain shrine, as the sun had already set, he stopped there for the night. Taking one of the stones at the shrine, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep at that spot. Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s messengers were going up and down on it. And there was the LORD standing beside him and saying: “I, the LORD, am the God of your forefather Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying I will give to you and your descendants. These shall be as plentiful as the dust of the earth, and through them you shall spread out east and west, north and south. In you and your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing. Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the LORD is in this spot, although I did not know it!” In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to Heaven!” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a memorial stone, and poured oil on top of it. He called the site Bethel, whereas the former name of the town had been Luz. Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the LORD shall be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.”

Responsorial Psalm – Ps 91:1-2, 3-4, 14-15ab (R.see 2b)

R. In You, my God, I place my trust.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” R.

For He will rescue you from the snare of the fowler,
from the destroying pestilence.
With His pinions he will cover you,
and under His wings you shall take refuge. R.

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress. R.

Gospel – Mt 9:18-26

While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before Him, and said, “”My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.”” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did His disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the tassel on His cloak. She said to herself, “”If only I can touch His cloak, I shall be cured.”” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “”Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.”” And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, He said, “”Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.”” And they ridiculed Him. When the crowd was put out, He came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.

Featured Saints

Seven Holy Brothers (†circa 162) – Sons of St. Felicitas, these seven brothers – Alexander, Felix, Januarius, Marialis, Philip, Silvanus and Vitalis – were martyred in Rome during the persecution waged by Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

St. Amalburga, virgin (†eighth century). She received the veil of the consecrated virgins from the hands of St. Willibrord and spent the last years of her life in Temse, present-day Belgium.

St. Pascarius, bishop (†seventh century). Bishop of Nantes, France; he founded a monastery to receive St. Hermeland and the monks of Fontanelle, on the Island of Aindre.

St. Peter Vincioli, priest (†1007). Rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in Perugia, Italy, and erected an adjacent monastery where he introduced the discipline of Cluny.

St. Canute IV, martyr (†1086). King of Denmark; he promoted divine worship and the construction of many monasteries and churches. He was assassinated by seditious subjects.

St. Apollonius of Sardis, martyr (+fourth century). Crucified during the religious persecution in Laodicea.

Sts. Rufina and Segunda, virgin martyrs, (circa †257). In Rome, under Emperor Valerian, these two sisters were tortured and put to death for their Faith.

Blessed Manuel Ruiz, priest, and companions, martyrs (†1860). Franciscan priest massacred in his convent in Damascus, along with seven religious and three laymen.

Blessed Maria Gertrude of St. Sophia of Ripert d’Alauzin, virgin and martyr (†1794). Ursuline nun of noble blood guillotined in Orange, France, for refusing to take the anti-religious oath demanded of her.