Memorial of St. Josaphat, Martyr
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.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 3 Jn 5-8
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R.*)
R.Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in His commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
His generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious and merciful and just. R.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. R.
Gospel – Lk 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night? Will He be slow to answer them? I tell you, He will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
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.
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