Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional memorial of The Most Holy Name of Mary. Diverse significations are ascribed to this blessed name, Star of the Sea holding a special place among them. This commemoration was first observed in Spain in 1513, with the approval of the Holy See, and was extended to the Universal Church in 1683.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Cor 11:17-26, 33
Brothers and sisters: In giving this instruction, I do not praise the fact that your meetings are doing more harm than good. First of all, I hear that when you meet as a Church there are divisions among you, and to a degree I believe it; there have to be factions among you in order that also those who are approved among you may become known. When you meet in one place, then, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper, for in eating, each one goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk. Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the Church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you. For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread and, after He had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 (R.1 Cor 11:26b)
R. Proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again.
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 7:1-10
When Jesus had finished all His words to the people, He entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged Him to come, saying, “He deserves to have You do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when He was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to You; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this He was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following Him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Featured Saints
St. Albeus, bishop (†528). He founded the See of Emly, Ireland, and was the main evangelizer of the region. His example and apostolic zeal brought many to the Faith.
St. Guido, confessor (†1012). As sacristan of St. Mary Church in Brussels, he was a dedicated helper of the poor. He went on pilgrimage for seven years to Rome and the Holy Land, returning to his native land, where he died in Anderlecht (Belgium)
St. Francis Ch’oe Kyong-Hwan, catechist and martyr (†1839). He encouraged Catholics to face martyrdom with fortitude during the religious persecution in Korea, and was arrested in Seoul for refusing to renounce the Faith. In prison, He dedicated himself to catechesis until his death from exhaustion and torture.
Blessed Apollinaris Franco, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Franciscan and missionary in the Philippines and Japan; founded many houses of charity. He was burned alive in Japan during persecution.
Blessed Thomas Zumarraga, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Dominican missionary in Japan. He was imprisoned in Omura out of hatred for the faith, after three years of confinement, he was burned alive, together with the Franciscan Apollinaris Franco and four other companions.
Blessed Peter Sulpicius Christopher Faverge, martyr (†1794). Christian Brother and teacher who was imprisoned in a galley, along with hundreds of other victims of the French Revolution. He died there as a consequence of diseases contracted while caring for sick prisoners.
Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi, abbess (†1847). Benedictine nun from Trevi, Italy, to whom Our Lord granted extraordinary mystical gifts along with long and sorrowful trials, which she bore with heroic fortitude and patience.