Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Featured Saints
St. Felix III, Pope (†492). Of the Roman nobility, he entered the clerical state and succeeded St. Simplicius to the Chair of Peter.
St. Albinus, bishop (†c. 550). He vehemently censured the abusive customs of those in power and ardently promoted the Third Council of Orleans for the renewal of the Church.
St. Rudesind, bishop (†977). As Bishop of Mondoñedo, Spain, he strove to renew and foster monastic life. After renouncing the Episcopal See, he entered the Benedictine monastery of Celanova, and became its abbot.
St. David, bishop (†c. 601). He founded a monastery in his Diocese of Menevia, Wales, from which missionaries departed to evangelize Ireland, Cornwall and Armorica.
St. Swithbert, bishop (†713). Monk of Northumbria, England, he was one of the eleven companions of St. Willibrord in his evangelizing mission in Friesland, the Netherlands and Germany. After his ordination as bishop by St. Wilfrid of York, he became an apostle of Westphalia.
St. Leo Luke, abbot (†c. 900). He shone in the hermetic and monastic life, following the observance of the eastern monks in the hill country of Calabria.
St. Agnes Cao Guiying, martyr (†1856). As a widow she dedicated her time to teaching Catholic doctrine. For this she was imprisoned and tortured to death in Yaoshan, Guangxi, China.
Blessed Giovanna Maria Bonomo, abbess (†1670). Greatly favoured with mystical visions, she received the stigmata of the Passion of Christ during an ecstasy. She was abbess of the Benedictine monastery of Basano, Italy.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Dn 9:4b-10
“Lord, great and awesome God, You who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love You and observe your commandments! We have sinned, been wicked and done evil; we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and all the people of the land. Justice, O Lord, is on your side; we are shamefaced even to this day: we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel, near and far, in all the countries to which You have scattered them because of their treachery toward You. O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers, for having sinned against You.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against You and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God, to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13 (R. cf. 103:10a)
R. Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins.
Remember not against us the iniquities of the past;
may your compassion quickly come to us,
for we are brought very low. R.
Help us, O God our Savior,
because of the glory of your name;
Deliver us and pardon our sins
for your name’s sake. R.
Let the prisoners’ sighing come before you;
with your great power free those doomed to death.
Then we, your people and the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to You forever;
through all generations we will declare your praise. R.
Gospel – Lk 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
