Memorial of St. Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
St. Athanasius St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church (†373). As Bishop of Alexandria, he defended Catholic orthodoxy for forty years against the Arian heresy which denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. He was exiled five times, enduring unrelenting injuries and accusations. In addition to the Life of St. Anthony of Egypt, he wrote many doctrinal works.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 15:7-21
After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to the Apostles and the presbyters, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the Gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they.” The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old. It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10 (R. Cf. 3)
R. Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. Or: Alleluia.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity. R.
Gospel – Jn 15:9-11
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.”
Featured Saints
St. Antoninus of Florence, bishop (†1459). Founded the dominican convent of St. Mark where, during his priorship, Blessed Angelico produced his famous artworks. Appointed Archbishop of Florence, he was a renowned moralist, director of souls and preacher.
St. Joseph Maria Rubio y Peralta, priest (†1929). Spanish Jesuit, apostle of the confessional and preacher of the spiritual exercises in Madrid. His motto was: Do what God wants and want what God does.
St. Joseph Nguyen Van Luu, martyr (†1854). Vietnamese farmer and catechist; he offered himself in the place of priest Peter Luu, and died in prison, during the reign of Emperor Tự Đức.
St. Wiborada, virgin and martyr (†926). She lived a recollected life in a cell beside the Church of St. Magnus in St. Gallen, Switzerland. She was killed by Hungarian invaders because of her Faith and religious vow.
Blessed Nicholas Hermansson, bishop (†1391). Demanding with self but compassionate with the poor; he dedicated himself entirely to his Diocese of Linköping, Sweden, where he reverently received the relics of St. Bridget.
Blessed William Tirry, priest and martyr (†1654). Augustinian priest executed in Clonmel, Ireland, for his fidelity to the Pope, during the regime of Oliver Cromwell.
Blessed Boleslas Strzelecki, priest and martyr (†1941). Parish priest with a reputation for holiness among his parishioners. During the anti-Catholic persecution waged during the Nazi occupation of Poland, he was arrested and detained in Auschwitz concentration camp, where he died four months later as a result of the severe mistreatment inflicted on him there.
Image gallery
