Friday 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 as 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 – Eph 4:7-16
Brothers and sisters: Grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming. Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body’s growth and builds itself up in love.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 (R. 1)
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. R.
Gospel – Luke 13:1-9
Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them– do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”
Featured Saints
St. Louis Guanella (†1915), priest. He founded the Congregation of the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence in Como, Italy, to attend to the corporal and spiritual needs of the poorest and most afflicted, seeking 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 of Coutances, 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.
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