Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional memorial of St. Romuald, abbot (+1027) Anchorite and founder of the Camaldolese Order. Born to the noble family of the duchy of Ravenna, he withdrew to a Benedictine monastery, where he discerned his vocation for hermitic life.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Corinthians 11:1-11
Brothers and sisters: If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God, since I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ. For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough. For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “super-apostles.” Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; in every way, we have made this plain to you in all things. Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge? I plundered other churches by accepting from them in order to minister to you. And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. By the truth of Christ in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps. 111:1B-2, 3-4, 7-8 (R. 7a)
R. Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
or: R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. R.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD. R.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity. R.
Gospel – Mt 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Featured Saints
St. Juliana Falconieri, virgin (†circa 1341). Founder of the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites, in Florence, Italy, dedicated to contemplation and charity.
Sts. Remy Isore and Modeste Andlauer, priests and martyrs (†1900). French Jesuits killed at the altar at which they were praying, during religious persecution waged in connection with the Boxer Revolution in the province of Hebei, China.
Bl. Thomas Woodhouse, priest and martyr (+1573). Secular parish priest from Lincolnshire, England, he was arrested for celebrating the Catholic Mass. During his twelve years of imprisonment, he became a Jesuit. He was put to death at Tyburn, England, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Blessed Gerlandus, religious (†circa 1271). Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; protector of widows and orphans.
Blessed Elena Aiello, virgin (†1961). Foundress of the Congregation of the Sister Minims of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Cosenza, Italy.
Blessed Michelina, widow (†1356). She entered the Franciscan Third Order in Pesaro (Italy), sold all her goods, gave the money to the poor and dedicated herself to a life of prayer.
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