in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
Memorial of St. Josaphat
St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr. From a Polish-Lithuanian schismatic family, he converted to Catholicism and became a member of the Basilian Order. Later consecrated as archeparch (archbishop) of Polotsk (today Belarus), he laboured as an apostle for unity among the Christians of the East, and was savagely killed in 1623 by opponents of this ideal.
Other featured Saints
St. Hesychius, bishop (†552). From his office of senetor, he was elevated to that of the Bishop of Vienne, France. He is the father of St. Avitus and St. Apolinaris.
St. Cunibert, bishop (†circa 663). Under his governance of the Diocese of Cologne, Germany, after the barbarian invasions, ecclesiastical life was renewed, monasticism flourished, churches were built and the piety of the faithful restored.
St. Emilian of Cogolla, priest (†574). He left his occupation of shepherd to devote himself to the hermitic life. Owing to his reputation of holiness, he was ordained by the Bishop of Tarazona, Spain. Exercising his ministry with eminent sanctity, he elicited much envy, until the bishop sent him back to the solitude of the mountains, where he founded a community.
St. Margarito Flores, priest and martyr (†1927). Imprisoned and killed by firing squad for being a priest, during the religious persecution in Mexico.
St. Diego of Alcalá, religious (†1463). Spanish Franciscan lay brother who spent some years in the Canary Islands mission, where he distinguished himself for his humility and charity. He died in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. The first Californian mission was named after him, hence the name of the Californian city of San Diego (celebrated on November 7 in the US).
St. Nilus of Ancyra, abbot (†circa 430). Disciple of St. John Chrysostom, he contributed to ascetic doctrine with his writings. He died in the vicinity of present-day Ankara, Turkey.
Blessed John of Peace, penitent (†1335). A soldier from Pisa who, having committed a crime, repented and became a penitent Franciscan tertiary. His example drew many young men to the congregation he founded of Franciscan Hermit Tertiaries.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Wis 13:1-9
All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,
and who from the good things seen did not succeed in knowing him who is,
and from studying the works did not discern the artisan;
But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,
or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,
or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.
Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,
let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these;
for the original source of beauty fashioned them.
Or if they were struck by their might and energy,
let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them.
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things
their original author, by analogy, is seen.
But yet, for these the blame is less;
For they indeed have gone astray perhaps,
though they seek God and wish to find him.
For they search busily among his works,
but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.
But again, not even these are pardonable.
For if they so far succeeded in knowledge
that they could speculate about the world,
how did they not more quickly find its Lord?
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 19:2-3, 4-5ab (R/. 2a)
R. The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge. R.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:26-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage up to the day
that Noah entered the ark,
and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:
they were eating, drinking, buying,
selling, planting, building;
on the day when Lot left Sodom,
fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.
So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, someone who is on the housetop
and whose belongings are in the house
must not go down to get them,
and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind.
Remember the wife of Lot.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it.
I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;
one will be taken, the other left.
And there will be two women grinding meal together;
one will be taken, the other left.”
They said to him in reply, “Where, Lord?”
He said to them, “Where the body is,
there also the vultures will gather.”
