Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Pt 1:10-16
Beloved: Concerning the salvation of your souls the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and investigated it investigating the time and circumstances that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the glories to follow them. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you with regard to the things that have now been announced to you by those who preached the Good News to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels longed to look. Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, Be holy because I am holy.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 (R.2a)
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm. R.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel. R.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise. R.
Gospel – Mk 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Margaret Pole, widow and martyr (†1541). Countess of Salisbury, she was despoiled of all her possessions and beheaded at age 68, after suffering for two years in the Tower of London, for opposing the divorce of King Henry VIII.
St. William, monk (†812). He left life at the imperial court and founded the Monastery of Gellone, near Narbonne, France.
St. Germain, bishop (†576). During his tenure as abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Symphorien in Autun, France, he was called to the Episcopal See of Paris. He was a zealous shepherd of souls.
St. Justus of Urgell, bishop (†sixth century). Bishop of Urgell, Spain, who wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs and participated in Spanish councils.
St. Ubaldesca, virgin (†1206). At fifteen years of age she entered the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, dedicating herself to the care of the sick and needy for 55 years.
Blessed Lanfranc of Canterbury, bishop (†1089). As Benedictine Abbot of Caen, France, he initiated an effective reform of monastic discipline. He continued his work in England after his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury.
Blessed Herculanus of Piegaro, priest (†1451). Outstanding Franciscan preacher, known for his austere life and miracles; he died in the monastery of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana in Lucca (Italy).
Blessed Wladislav Demski, martyr (†1940). He died in the concentration camp of Sachsenhausen, Germany, as a result of torture.
Blessed Maria Bartholomew Bagnesi, virgin (†1577). Tertiary of the Order of Penance of St. Dominic, she endured a serious illness with heroic patience for more than forty years.
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