Memorial of St. John Chrysostom
Other featured Saints
St. John Chrysostom, bishop and Doctor of the Church (†407). After the death of his widowed mother, he retreated to the desert as an anchorite. Called to Antioch, he was ordained a deacon, a priest, and finally was consecrated as Bishop and Patriarch of the See of Constaninople, capital of the Eastern Empire. He is called “Chrysostom”, a Greek work meaning “mouth of gold”, in reference to the fiery eloquence and wisdom of his words. He faced persecution from many adversaries and died in exile, in the city of Comana (in present-day Turkey) leaving behind him a wealth of intellectual production.
St. Maurilius, bishop (†453). Born in Milan, he was a disciple of St. Martin of Tours, by whom he was ordained priest. Elected Bishop of Angers, France, he eradicated the pagan superstitions of the rural people.
St. Amatus, priest and abbot (†629). Outstanding for his austerity, he wisely governed the abbey of Mont Haberd, in the region of Vosges, France, which he founded together with St. Romaric.
St. Marcellinus, martyr († 413). Close friend of St. Augustine and St. Jerome, with whom he exchanged correspondence; he was killed for defending the Faith in polemics with the Donatists.
Blessed Aurelio Maria (Benvindo Villalón Acebrón), religious and martyr (†1936). Spanish member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, he was killed out of hatred for the Church.
Blessed Mary of Jesus López Rivas, religious (†1640). P). Disciple of St. Teresa of Avila and Prioress of the Carmel of Toledo. Slandered and deposed from her office, she endured all her sufferings with great charity.
Mass Readings
First Reading 1 Tm 2:1-8
Beloved: First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and Apostle (I am speaking the truth, I am not lying), teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 28:2, 7, 8-9 (R.6)
R. Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard my prayer.
Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to you,
lifting up my hands toward your holy shrine. R.
The LORD is my strength and my shield.
In him my heart trusts, and I find help;
then my heart exults, and with my song I give him thanks. R.
The LORD is the strength of his people,
the saving refuge of his anointed.
Save your people, and bless your inheritance;
feed them, and carry them forever! 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.
