Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
St Teresa of Jesus, virgin and Doctor of the Church(†1582). She entered Carmel of Avila at twenty-four, encountering much laxness there. At the age of forty, she began the reform of the Order of Carmel with the help of St. John of the Cross. She wrote several books setting out her sublime doctrine and describing her mystical experiences.
See also: The Reform of the Incarnation and St. Teresa’s Kitchen
Mass Readings
First Reading – Gal 5:1-6
Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 119:41, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48 (R.41a)
R. Let your mercy come to me, O Lord.
Let your mercy come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise. R.
Take not the word of truth from my mouth,
for in your ordinances is my hope. R.
And I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever. R.
And I will walk at liberty,
because I seek your precepts. R.
And I will delight in your commands,
which I love. R.
And I will lift up my hands to your commands
and meditate on your statutes. R.
Gospel – Lk 11:37-41
After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”
Featured Saints
St. Barsen, bishop (†379). For his Catholic faith he was ccondemned to exile by the Arian Emperor Valente, after changing cities three times, he died in Edessa, Turkey.
St. Severus de of Trier, bishop (†fifth centutry). He accompanied St. Germanus of Auxerre in the fight against the Pelagian heresy in England and preached the Gospel in Germany. He died in Trier, Germany.
St. Thecla of Kitzingen, abbess (†c. 790). Benedictine nun of Wimborne, England, sent to Germany to aid St. Boniface. She ruled the Ochsenfurt and Kitzingen monasteries.
St. Magdalene of Nagasaki, virgin and martyr (†1634). Augustinian Recollect Tertiary, daughter of martyrs. She helped persecuted Christians until she was martyred in Nagasaki, Japan. She withstood the torture of being suspended upside-down in a pit for 13 days, constantly invoking the names of Jesus and Mary, before surrendering her soul to God.
Blessed Gonzalo of Lagos, priest (†1422). Portuguese priest, from the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine. Although a great theologian, he chose to dedicate himself to teaching children and persons of little learning.
Image gallery
