Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
St. Matthias was one of the seventy disciples of Jesus from the time of His Baptism, and was elected to complete the number of Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot. Some sources state that he was crucified in Ethiopia; according to another tradition, he received the crown of martyrdom in Jerusalem, where he was stoned and then decapitated, which is why he is often depicted holding an axe.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. Judas was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate, and may no one dwell in it. and: May another take his office. Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles.
Responsorial Psalm – 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (R.8)
R.The Lord will give him a seat with the leaders of his people.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Praise, you servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD
both now and forever. R.
From the rising to the setting of the sun
is the name of the LORD to be praised.
High above all nations is the LORD;
above the heavens is his glory. R.
Who is like the LORD, our God,
who is enthroned on high
and looks upon the heavens and the earth below? R.
He raises up the lowly from the dust;
from the dunghill he lifts up the poor
To seat them with princes,
with the princes of his own people. R.
Gospel – Jn 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
Featured Saints
St. Michael Garicöits, priest (†1863). Superior of the Major Seminary of Bétharram, France, and founder of the Society of Missionary Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bétharram.
St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello, religious (†1881). Together with St. John Bosco, she founded the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Italy. See also: Incomparable Model and Master.
St. Theodora Teresa Guérin, virgin (†1856). Entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence in Ruillé-sur-Loire, France. Sent to found a new community of the Congregation in the United States, she demonstrated wisdom in face of difficulties, and admirable charity in community life.
Blessed Giles of Vaozela, priest (†1265). From a noble Portuguese family, he left the world and entered the Dominican Order to dedicate himself to teaching and preaching.
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