Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
St. Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church (+1231). Disciple of St. Francis and renowned miracle-worker, he preached relentlessly against the errors of Albigensianism, earning the title “Hammer of the Heritics”. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, he exercised his apostolate in Paudua, Italy, where he died.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 116:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 (R. 17a)
R. To you, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.
or: R. Alleluia.
I believed, even when I said,
“I am greatly afflicted”;
I said in my alarm,
“No man is dependable.” R.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds. R.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people. R.
Gospel – Mt 5:27-32
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. “It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Featured Saints
St. Fandilas, priest and martyr (†853). Monk from the Monastery of Peñamelaria, Córdoba, beheaded by order of Emir Muhammad I.
St. Eulogius, bishop (†c. 607). Patriarch of Alexandria; he vigorously fought the heresies of his time, especially Monophysitism.
St. Rambert, martyr (†680). Knight of high nobility, imprisoned and killed in the vicinity of Lyon by order of Ebroin, Mayor of the Palace of the King of Neustria.
Sts. Augustine Phan Viet Huy and Nicholas Bui Viet, martyrs (†1839). Soldiers in the Vietnamese army, executed for the “crime” of being Christian, during persecutions in Vietnam.
Blessed Gerard of Clairvaux, monk (†1138). He left his military career to enter the Monastery of Clairvaux, France, governed by his brother, St. Bernard. He stood out for his intelligence and spiritual discernment.
Blessed Marianna Biernacka, widow and martyr (†1943). During the religious persecution of the Polish people during World War II, she offered to be imprisoned and killed in place of her daughter-in-law Ana, who was about to give birth. She was shot in Naumowicze, Poland.
Image gallery
