Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
St. Charles Borromeo, bishop (†1584). Born in 1538, of a noble Italian family, he was consecrated as Bishop of Milan at only 21 years of age. Later raised to the position of Cardinal by his uncle, Pope Pius IV, St. Charles gave extraordinary examples of virtue as a perfect model of pastor of souls. He was instrumental in applying the reforms of the Council of Trent. He died at the age of 46.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Rom 12:5-16ab
Brothers and sisters: We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me. R.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,
so is my soul within me. R.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever. R.
Gospel – Lk 14:15-24
One of those at table with Jesus said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’ But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’ The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'”
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. See: Mother of Good Remedy.
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 later as a widow.
Image gallery
