Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, 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. According to tradition, the Nativity of Mary took place when her venerable parents were of an advanced age, and they consecrated her to the service of the Temple while yet a child. Memorial in the U.S
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Sir 44:1, 10-15
Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: These were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; Through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity for their sake. And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on. At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their praise.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 132:11, 13-14, 17-18 (Luke 1:32)
R. God will give him the throne of David, his father.
The LORD swore to David
a firm promise from which he will not withdraw:
“Your own offspring
I will set upon your throne.” R.
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
he prefers her for his dwelling.
“Zion is my resting place forever;
in her will I dwell, for I prefer her.” R.
“In her will I make a horn to sprout forth for David;
I will place a lamp for my anointed.
His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but upon him my crown shall shine.” R.
Gospel – Mt 13:16-17
Jesus said to his disciples: “Blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it
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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