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.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Phil 2:12-18
My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple. R.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.R.
Gospel – Lk 14:25-33
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’ Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
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.
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