Friday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Mary. Diverse significations are ascribed to this blessed name, Star of the Sea holding a special place among them. This commemoration, which was at first observed in particular regions with the approval of the Holy See, was extended to the Universal Church by Innocent XI in 1683, after the Virgin Mary’s decisive intervention on this date in the victory at the Siege of Vienna.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my true child in faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 16:1b-2a and 5, 7-8, 11 (R.see 5)
R. You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot. R.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R.
You will show me the path to life,
fullness of joys in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever. R.
Gospel – Lk 6:39-42
Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
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.
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