Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop (†1584). Born in 1538, of a noble Italian family. At only 21 years of age, he was consecrated as Bishop of Milan, and raised to a Cardinal by his uncle, Pope Pius IV. He gave extraordinary examples of virtue and was a perfect model of pastor of souls. He was instrumental in applying the reforms of the Council of Trent, and died at the age of 46.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29
Brothers and sisters: I ask, then, has God rejected His people? Of course not! For I too am a child of Israel, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Hence I ask, did they stumble so as to fall? Of course not! But through their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is enrichment for the world, and if their diminished number is enrichment for the Gentiles, how much more their full number. I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you will not become wise in your own estimation: a hardening has come upon Israel in part, until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and thus all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come out of Zion, he will turn away godlessness from Jacob; and this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. In respect to the Gospel, they are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarch. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 17-18 (R.14a)
R. The Lord will not abandon His people.
Blessed the man whom You instruct, O LORD,
whom by Your law you teach,
Giving him rest from evil days. R.
For the LORD will not cast off His people,
nor abandon His inheritance;
But judgment shall again be with justice,
and all the upright of heart shall follow it. R.
Were not the LORD my help,
my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave.
When I say, “My foot is slipping,”
Your mercy, O LORD, sustains me. R.
Gospel – Lk 14:1, 7-11
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing Him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Featured Saints
St. Felix of Valois (†thirteenth century). Prince of the royal French house, he renounced the world and aided St. John of Matha in founding the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the ransom of captive Christians.
St. Emeric of Hungary (†1031). Son of St. Stephen of Hungary, he collaborated with his father in the evangelization of his subjects. He died at the age of 24.
St. Pierius,priest (†fourth century). Priest of Alexandria and outstanding philosopher, known especially for his virtuous life and voluntary poverty..
St. Modesta, abbess (†seventh century). Consecrated to God since childhood, she was the first abbess of the hermitage of St. Mary of Oehren in Trier, Germany
Blessed Helen Enselmini, virgin (†1242). She received the habit from St. Francis; St. Anthony of Padua was her spiritual director. Stricken by a painful infirmity, she gave heroic proofs of patient resignation.
Blessed Frances d’Amboise, religious (†1485). Married to Peter II, Duke of Brittany, both agreed to keep perfect chastity. she founded the first female Carmel of France, to which she withdrew when she was widowed.
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