Memorial of St. Josaphat, Bishop and 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 – Ti 2:1-8, 11-14
Beloved: You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited. Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us. For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.
Responsorial Psalm – 37:3-4, 18 and 23, 27 and 29 (R.39a)
R.The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests. R.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way. R.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever. R.
Gospel – Lk 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
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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