Memorial of St. Justin, martyr
St. Justin, martyr (†c. 165 Rome). A pagan philosopher who embraced Christianity and thenceforth became a prolific apologist for the Faith. Denounced to the Roman authorities by one of his disciples, he suffered martyrdom for love of Christ.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 20:28-38
At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. I have never wanted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship
Responsorial Psalm – 68:29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab (R.33a)
R.Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Show forth, O God, your power
the power, O God, with which you took our part;
For your temple in Jerusalem
let the kings bring you gifts. R.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God,
chant praise to the Lord
who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens.
Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power:
“Confess the power of God!” R.
Over Israel is his majesty;
his power is in the skies.
Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people. R.
Gospel – Jn 17:11b-19
Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.
When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me,
and I guarded them, and none of them was lost
except the son of destruction,
in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
But now I am coming to you.
I speak this in the world
so that they may share my joy completely.
I gave them your word, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world
but that you keep them from the Evil One.
They do not belong to the world
any more than I belong to the world.
Consecrate them in the truth.
Your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world,
so I sent them into the world.
And I consecrate myself for them,
so that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
Featured Saints
St. Hannibal Maria di Francia, priest (†1927). Founded the Congregation of Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and the Daughters of Divine Zeal.
St. Simeon of Syracuse, hermit (†1035). Born in Italy to a Greek father, he lived as a hermit near Bethlehem and on Mount Sinai, and later in Trier, Germany, where he died.
St. Joseph Túc, martyr (†1862). Peasant farmer decapitated in the city of Hoàng Xá, Bac Ninh, Vietnam, for refusing to to trample a cross, during the anti-Christian persecution of the emperor Tu-Duc.
Blessed John Baptist Scalabrini, bishop (†1905). Governed the Diocese of Piacenza, Italy, dedicating himself especially to priests, workers and farmers. He founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Charles, and the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles to aid emigrants leaving for America.
Blessed John Pelingotto (†1304). Franciscan tertiary from Urbino, Italy. He lived in a cell, which he only left to attend the poor and sick.
St. Iñigo, abbot (†1060). At the request of King Sancho III of Navarre, he left contemplative and solitary life to become abbot of the Monastery of Oña, in Burgos. near Burgos, Spain.
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