Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Bruno, priest and monk (†1101). Born in Cologne, Germany, he was ordained a priest and taught Theology in Rheims. Among his students were St. Hugh of Grenoble and the future Pope Urban II, of whom he became a counsellor. He resisted efforts to make him a bishop, and became the founder of the Carthusian Order.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Gal 3:1-5
O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain?– if indeed it was in vain. Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?
Responsorial Psalm – Lk 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 (R. 68)
R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; He has come to His people.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of His servant David. R.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old
that He would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us. R.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember His holy covenant. R.
This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship Him without fear,
holy and righteous in His sight
all the days of our life. R.
Gospel – Lk 11:5-13
Jesus said to His disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Featured Saints
Optional Memorial in Canada and USA: Blessed Marie Rose Durocher, virgin (†1849). Born to a prosperous farming family of Quebec, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Longueuil, Canada, dedicated to education.
St. Francis Tran Van Trung, martyr (†1858). A soldier of the Imperial army of Vietnam who refused to trample upon a cross, and declared his Faith. For this, he suffered repeated beatings, and was eventually beheaded.
St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds, virgin (†1791). Franciscan Tertiary, she distinguished herself for her works of charity and her intense prayer life. She displayed much patience amidst numerous afflictions, both physical and spiritual.
Blessed Adalbero of Würzburg, bishop (†1090). He was persecuted by schismatics an expelled from his diocese of Würzburg, Germany, for his defence of the Apostolic See.
Blessed Isidor of St. Joseph, religious (†1916). Belgian lay brother of the Passionist Congregation, born Isidor de Loor, he is also known as “Brother of the will of God”. He died of cancer at the age of 35, giving and example of acceptance in face of the atrocious sufferings brought on by his illness.
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