Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, (†1591). Jesuit religious. Heir of the Marquess of Castiglione, he consecrated himself to God and made a vow of chastity. Praying to Our Lady of Good Counsel, he felt called to be a Jesuit. He renounced his title and entered the novitiate, where St. Robert Bellarmine was his spiritual director. He dreamed of being a missionary and a martyr. When a plague struck Rome in 1591, the Jesuits opened a hospital to care for its victims, and Aloysius contracted the illness while caring for the sick, and died shortly thereafter.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Cor 9:6-11
Brothers and sisters, consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1bc-2, 3-4, 9 (R. 1b)
R.Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in His commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
His generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious and merciful and just. R.
Lavishly He gives to the poor;
His generosity shall endure forever;
His horn shall be exalted in glory. R.
Gospel – Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Jesus said to His disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
Featured Saints
St. Raymond of Barbastro, bishop (†1126). He was canon regular of the Church of St. Saturninus in Toulouse, France, when he was appointed Bishop of Barbastro-Roda, Spain.
St. José Isabel Flores, priest and martyr (†1927). Parish priest from Matatlán, Mexico, beheaded during the religious persecutions in Zapotlanejo.
St. Meven (or Méen), abbot (†sixth century). He was born in Wales and went into seclusion in a forest in Brittany. He founded the monastery named in his honour, in the present-day commune of Saint-Meén-le-Grand, France.
St. Leutfridus, abbot (†738). Founded a monastery and shelter for the poor in Evreux, France, both of which he guided with holiness and wisdom for almost forty-eight years .
St. John Rigby, martyr (†1600). Young layman arrested and executed in London, during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, for having reconciled with the Church.
St. Ralph of Bourges, bishop (†866). Benedictine abbot elected Bishop of Bourges, France. He showed great concern for the progress of the clergy.
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