Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Cor 1:1-7
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the Church of God that is at Corinth, with all the holy ones throughout Achaia: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all encouragement, Who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R. 9a)
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad. R.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol His name.
I sought the LORD, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. R.
Look to Him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress He saved him. R.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in Him. R.
Gospel – Mt 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain, and after He had sat down, His disciples came to Him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in Heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Flórida Cevoli, virgin (†1767). Of a noble Italian family, she entered the Capuchin convent of the Poor Clares of Città di Castello. Her virtues were valued by the abbess, St. Veronica de Giuliani, whom she served as secretary and confidante.
St. Leo III, Pope (†816). He crowned the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, and strove to defend the true doctrine on the divine dignity of the Son of God.
Blessed Maria Candida of the Eucharist, virgin (†1949). She felt called to enter the religious life since the age of 15, but was prohibited by her relatives. Only at 35 did she enter the Carmel of Ragusa, Italy, of which she was later elected prioress.
Blessed Mercedes Maria de Jesús Molina, virgin (†1883). Foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of Mariana de Jesús, in Riobamba, Ecuador, for the education of girls from poor families.
St. Caspar Bertoni, priest (†1843). Founded the Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Stigmatines) in Verona, Italy, to provide bishops with missionaries.
St. Onuphrius, Confessor. († Fourth century). Hermit of the desert of Egypt for 70 years.
St. Eskil, martyr (†c. 1080). Native of England, he was ordained Bishop by St. Sigfrid, his teacher. He ardently strove to convert the pagans who eventually stoned him to death, in Sweden.
Blessed Guido of Cortona, priest (+1245). Disciple of St. Francis of Assisi, he founded the convent of Celle, Italy. He earned a reputation for sanctity during his life, a and worked many miracles.
Blessed Lorenzo Maria of St. Francis Xavier, priest (†1856). Religious from the Congregation of the Passion, he spread devotion to the Child Jesus in Capranica, Italy.
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