Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time
Featured Saints and Commemorations
Our Lady of Graces of the Miraculous Medal. In the year 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared St. Catherine Labouré, a member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Paul, asking her to have a medal struck after the model that was shown to her, and promising special graces to those who would wear it with confidence.
St. Maximus, bishop (†455). Founder of the monastery of Lerins, France. Despite his resistance, he was appointed Bishop of Riez, in Provence.
St. Acharius of Noyon, bishop (†circa 640). As a monk of Luxeuil, he was elected Bishop of Noyon (France) and Tournai (Belgium) then a single diocese.
St. Vergilius, bishop (†784). Irish abbot of great learning, he was appointed to direct the Church of Salzburg, Austria, and furthered the evangelization of Carinthia, to the south.
St. Gulstan, monk (†1040). Of Breton origin, he was captured in his youth by pirates who abandoned him, after years of slavery, on the island of Ouessant, France. After St. Felix came to his aid, he entered the monastery of St. Gildas where, despite his illiteracy, learned the psalter by by heart, and sang with great fervour.
Blessed Bernardine of Fossa, priest (†1503). Franciscan religious who propagated the Catholic Faith in many regions of Italy. He was Provincial Superior in Abruzzi, Dalmatia and Bosnia.
Blesseds Thomas Koteda Kiuni and companions, martyrs (†1619). Beheaded in Nagasaki (Japan), by order of the Governor Gonzuku.
Blessed Bronislaw Kostowski, martyr (†1940). Polish seminarian imprisoned during the Second World War; he was tortured and eventually died in Dachau concentration camp in Germany.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Dn 7:15-27
I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh,
and I was terrified by the visions of my mind.
I approached one of those present
and asked him what all this meant in truth;
in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things:
“These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms
which shall arise on the earth.
But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship,
to possess it forever and ever.”
But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast,
so very terrible and different from the others,
devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws,
and trampling with its feet what was left;
about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up,
before which three horns fell;
about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly,
which appeared greater than its fellows.
For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones
and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived;
judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High,
and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom.
He answered me thus:
“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth
different from all the others;
It shall devour the whole earth,
beat it down, and crush it.
The ten horns shall be ten kings
rising out of that kingdom;
another shall rise up after them,
Different from those before him,
who shall lay low three kings.
He shall speak against the Most High
and oppress the holy ones of the Most High,
thinking to change the feast days and the law.
They shall be handed over to him
for a year, two years, and a half-year.
But when the court is convened,
and his power is taken away
by final and absolute destruction,
Then the kingship and dominion and majesty
of all the kingdoms under the heavens
shall be given to the holy people of the Most High,
Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting:
all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Responsorial Psalm – Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87
R. Give glory and eternal praise to Him.
“You sons of men, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.” R.
“O Israel, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.” R.
“Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.”
“Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.” R.
“Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.” R.
“Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord;
praise and exalt him above all forever.” R.
Gospel – Lk 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
