Wednesday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine, bishop and Doctor of the Church. He entered the Company of Jesus at 18 years of age. An outstanding exegete and theologian, he fought the errors of protestantism. As a professor and Spiritual Father of the Roman College, he was the spiritual director of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, whom he guided during his last years, and as a Cardinal, he was adviser to several Popes. He died in Rome in 621.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Tim 3:14-16
Beloved: I am writing you, although I hope to visit you soon. But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God,
which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (R. 2)
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. R.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD. R.
He has given food to those who fear him;
he will forever be mindful of his covenant.
He has made known to his people the power of his works,
giving them the inheritance of the nations. R.
Gospel – Lk 7:31-35
Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Featured Saints
St. Hildegard of Bingen, virgin and Doctor of the Church (†1179). Optional Memorial. Religious from the Monastery of Mount St. Rupert in Bingen (Germany), she was favoured with special mystical gifts, based upon which she composed several musical works and and wrote books on medicine, natural sciences and mystical contemplation.
St. Peter Arbues, priest and martyr (†1485). Canon Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, who fought against superstitions and heresies in the kingdom of Aragon, and was killed by hired assassins at the foot of the altar of the Cathedral of Zaragoza, Spain.
St. Satyrus of Milan, layman(†377). Brother of Sts. Ambrose and Marcellina. He lived his Faith with utmost integrity, being an example of uprightness. In his obsequies St. Ambrose delivered a sermon which is read in the Office for the Dead until today.
St. Francis Mary of Camporosso, religious(†1866). Capuchin brother, he offered his life for the salvation of the victims of a cholera epidemic that devastated Genoa, Italy.
St. Colomba of Cordoba, virgin and martyr (†853). She dedicated herself to the study of the Sacred Scriptures. During the persecutions of Muhammad I, she was beheaded and her body cast into the Guadalquivir River, whence it was retrieved by Christians.
Blessed Stanislaus of Jesus and Mary, priest (†1701). Founder of the Marina Cleric of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, in Gora Kalwaria, Poland.
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