Wednesday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time
In the USA, memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin (†1917). She founded the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and left her native Italy with her followers to embark on a mission to the United States, where she dedicated herself to caring for immigrants with outstanding charity. She died in Chicago in Columbus Hospital, which she had founded as part of her work (Celebrated in the General Calendar on December 22.)
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ti 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 – 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. Homobonus (†1197). Merchant from Cremona, Italy, who excelled in charity toward the poor and abandoned children.
St. Nicholas I, Pope (†867). He consolidated the authority of the Roman Pontiff throughout the Church.
Sts. Arcadius, Paschasius, Probus and Eutychian, martyrs (†473). For refusing to adhere to the Arian heresy, they were exiled from Spain to Africa and tortured before being executed.
St. Maxellendis, virgin and martyr (†670). Having chosen Christ as spouse, she refused the fiancé to whom she had been promised, and he killed her by the sword in Cambrai, France.
St. Augustina Pietrantoni, virgin (†1894). Religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity who cared for victims of tuberculosis in Holy Spirit Hospital in Rome. She died there after being stabbed by an enraged patient.
Blesseds Peter Vicev and Josafat Siskov, priest and martyrs (†1952). Religious from the Congregation of the Augustinians of the Assumption. During the Communist regime in Bulgaria, they were imprisoned on the accusation of spying and conspiracy against the “people’s power” and killed by firing squad in Sofia.
Blessed John Gonga Martínez, martyr (†1936). Lay catechist from the city of Carcaixent, near Valencia, killed during the Spanish Civil War; known for his many works of charity.
Blessed María Patrocinio Giner Gómis of St. John, virgin and martyr (†1936). Religious from the Clarist Missionaries, killed in Portichol, near Valencia, during the Spanish Civil War.
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