Tuesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop. Born in Catalonia, Spain, he founded the Congregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) and was appointed Archbishop of Cuba. He returned to Spain and was the confessor of Queen Isabel II. Life in court, during which his conduct was irreproachable, was a great trial for him. He died in 1870 in the Abbey of Fontfroide, France.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Brothers and sisters: Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned. If by that one person’s transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many. For if, by the transgression of the one, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so, through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so, through the obedience of the one the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 (R.8a and 9a)
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do Your will.
Sacrifice or oblation You wished not,
but ears open to obedience You gave me.
Burnt offerings or sin offerings You sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”R.
“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
To do Your will, O my God, is my delight,
and Your law is within my heart!” R.
I announced Your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as You, O LORD, know. R.
May all who seek You
exult and be glad in You,
And may those who love Your salvation
say ever, “The LORD be glorified.” R.
Gospel – Lk 12:35-38
Jesus said to His disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
Featured Saints
St. Louis Guanella (†1915), priest. Founded the Congregation of the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence in Como, Italy, to attend to the needs of the poorest and most afflicted, and to seek their salvation.
St. Proclus, bishop (†446). Patriarch of Constantinople, he fearlessly proclaimed the Divine Motherhood of Mary and transferred the body of St. John Chrysostom to this city.
St. Magloire, bishop (circa 605). He was a disciple of St. Iltude in the monastery of Llantwit, Wales, together with his cousin, St. Samson, future Bishop of Dol, whom he succeeded in this diocese.
St. Fromundus, Coutances, present-day France.
deacon and abbot (†sixth century). Ordained by St. Felix, Bishop of Nantes, France, he was sent to evangelize pagans in neighbouring regions. He built and ruled the monastery of Vertou.
St. Joseph Lê Ðăng Thi, martyr (†1860). Vietnamese army officer, imprisoned, tortured and strangled to death for being Christian.
Blessed Joseph Baldo, priest (†1915). Founder of the Congregation of the Little Daughters of St. Joseph. As a fruit of his ardent Eucharistic devotion, he dedicated himself to works of charity and catechesis in Verona, Italy.
Image gallery
St. Anthony Mary Claret – Claretian Museum, Vic (Spain) – Photo: Francisco Lecaros St. Anthony Mary Claret – Claretian Museum, Vic (Spain) – Photo: Francisco Lecaros