Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Featured Saints
St. Albert the Great, bishop and Doctor of the Church (†1280) Dominican, born in 1206 in Bavaria. He was the professor of the great St. Thomas Aquinas.
St. Joseph Pignatelli, priest (†1811). He was one of the restorers of the Company of Jesus in Spain, after its suppression in 1773. He distinguished himself for his charity, humility and purity of customs.
St. Leopold (†1136). Austrian prince known as “the Pious”, he declined to become Emperor when the death of the heir apparent placed him next in line for the crown, and died in one of the monasteries he himself had built. He is venerated as the Patron Saint of Austria.
St.Raphael Kalinowski of St.Joseph,, priest (†1907). A military engineer, he participated in the Lithuanian-Polish insurrection against Russia, was captured and condemned to forced labour in Siberia. After being liberated, he became a Carmelite and dedicated himself to the ministry of Confession and the expansion of the Order in Poland.
St. Desiderius, bishop (†655). He built many churches, monasteries and building for public use in his Diocese of Cahors, France, and strove to form souls into true temples of Christ.
St. Joseph Mikasa Balikuddembe, martyr (†1885). Prefect of the royal palace in Mengo, Uganda. After being baptized, he converted many young people to Christ and protected them from King Mwenga, and was for this reason beheaded.
Blessed Lucy Broccadelli of Narni, religious (†1544). Both in married life and as a Dominic tertiary she patiently endured many sufferings and humiliations. She died in the monastery she founded in Ferrara, Italy.
Blessed Mary of the Passion of Chappotin de Neuville, virgin (†1904). She founded the Congregation of Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, particularly dedicated to improving the situation of women in mission lands.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
[From the descendants of Alexander’s officers]
there sprang a sinful offshoot, Antiochus Epiphanes,
son of King Antiochus, once a hostage at Rome.
He became king in the year one hundred and thirtyseven
of the kingdom of the Greeks.
In those days there appeared in Israel
men who were breakers of the law,
and they seduced many people, saying:
“Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us;
since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.”
The proposal was agreeable;
some from among the people promptly went to the king,
and he authorized them to introduce the way of living
of the Gentiles.
Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem
according to the Gentile custom.
They covered over the mark of their circumcision
and abandoned the holy covenant;
they allied themselves with the Gentiles
and sold themselves to wrongdoing.
Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,
each abandoning his particular customs.
All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king,
and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion;
they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.
On the fifteenth day of the month Chislev,
in the year one hundred and forty-five,
the king erected the horrible abomination
upon the altar of burnt offerings
and in the surrounding cities of Judah they built pagan altars.
They also burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.
Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt.
Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant,
and whoever observed the law,
was condemned to death by royal decree.
But many in Israel were determined
and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean;
they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with unclean food
or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.
Terrible affliction was upon Israel.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 (R. cf. 88)
R. Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.
Indignation seizes me because of the wicked
who forsake your law.
Though the snares of the wicked are twined about me,
your law I have not forgotten. R.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may keep your precepts. R.
I am attacked by malicious persecutors
who are far from your law. R.
Far from sinners is salvation,
because they seek not your statutes. R.
I beheld the apostates with loathing,
because they kept not to your promise. R.
Gospel – Lk 18:35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
