Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Joachim and St. Anne. The names of the mother and father of the Blessed Virgin have been handed down from early Christianity, and devotion to both Saints has continued to grow over the centuries. It is traditionally held that the Nativity of Mary was a miraculous event which took place when her venerable parents were of an advanced age, after suffering many years of childlessness. Obedient to the will of God, they consecrated her to the service of the Temple at a tender age. Memorial in the U.S.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Jer 14:17-22
Let my eyes stream with tears day and night, without rest, Over the great destruction which overwhelms the virgin daughter of my people, over her incurable wound. If I walk out into the field, look! those slain by the sword; If I enter the city, look! those consumed by hunger. Even the prophet and the priest forage in a land they know not. Have you cast Judah off completely? Is Zion loathsome to you? Why have you struck us a blow that cannot be healed? We wait for peace, to no avail; for a time of healing, but terror comes instead. We recognize, O LORD, our wickedness, the guilt of our fathers; that we have sinned against you. For your name’s sake spurn us not, disgrace not the throne of your glory; remember your covenant with us, and break it not. Among the nations’ idols is there any that gives rain? Or can the mere heavens send showers? Is it not you alone, O LORD, our God, to whom we look? You alone have done all these things.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 (R.9)
R. For the glory of your name, O Lord, deliver us.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low. R.
Help us, O God our savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake. R.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise. R.
Gospel – Mt 13:36-43
Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the children of the Kingdom. The weeds are the children of the Evil One, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his Kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Featured Saints
St. George Preca, priest (†1962). Founded the Society for Christian Doctrine in Malta, for the evangelization of youth through example and catechetical instruction.
St. Erastus. Treasurer for the city of Corinth, he renounced his post to become a disciple of St. Paul the Apostle, and an assistant in his ministry.
Blessed Titus Brandsma, priest and martyr (†1942). Dutch Carmelite, imprisoned in Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany for his energetic endeavours in favour of the liberty of the Church and of Catholic schools.
Blessed Mary Margaret of St. Augustine and companions, virgins and martyrs (†1794). Ursuline religious guillotined in Orange during the French Revolution.
St. George Preca, priest (†1962). Youth catechist and founder of the Society of Christian Doctrine in Valletta, Malta.
St. Austindus, bishop (†1068). He built the cathedral, reformed sacred buildings and enriched the customs of the faithful in the Diocese of Auch, France.
Blesseds Vincent Pinilla and Manuel Martín Sierra, priest and martyrs (†1936). Violently dragged out of a church and shot to death during the Spanish Civil War.
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