Memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Bishop
St. Martin of Tours, Bishop of this city, appointed in 371. He was born in Hungary and abandoned a military career in order to become a religious. It was during his time as a soldier that the famous episode took place of his cutting his cloak in half to clothe a beggar suffering from the cold. He went on to found several monasteries, including that of Ligugé, o the oldest in Europe.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Titus 3:1-7
Beloved: Remind them to be under the control of magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deluded, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful ourselves and hating one another. But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but because of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6 (R. 1)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. R.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:11-19
As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!” And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?” Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.”
Featured Saints
St. Veranus, bishop (†fifth century). Governed the Diocese of Vence, France with wisdom and sanctity; he supported the letter of St. Leo the Great against monophysitism.
St. Theodore the Studite, abbot (†826). Abbot of the Stoudios Monastery in Constantinople; under his governance were formed saints and martyrs who died as victims of the iconoclast persecutions.
St. Bartholomew, abbot (†1055). Disciple of St. Nilus of Rossano, whom he helped found the Abbey of St. Mary of Grottaferrata, near Rome; he developed this monastery into a school of arts and sciences.
St. Marina de Omura, virgin and martyr (†1634). Dominican tertiary who was imprisoned and burned alive in Nagasaki, Japan, for her Christian Faith.
Blessed Vincent Eugene Bossilkov, bishop and martyr (†1952). Religious of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, he was tortured and shot by the Bolshevist regime in Bulgaria for refusing to renounce the Pope.
Blessed Vincenza Maria, virgin (†1855). With Blessed Charles Steeb, she founded the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, Italy.
Blessed Alice Kotowska, virgin and martyr (†1939). Religious from the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection, she was killed by a Nazi firing squad in Laski Piasnica, Poland.
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