Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of St. Januarius, bishop and martyr (†305). Martyred in Pozzuoli (Italy). His blood, reserved in the Cathedral of Naples, liquefies miraculously at least three times a year.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Prv 3:27-34
Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him. Say not to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give,” when you can give at once. Plot no evil against your neighbor, against one who lives at peace with you. Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm. Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways: To the LORD the perverse one is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship. The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses; When dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5 (R.1)
R. The just one shall live on Your holy mountain, O Lord.
He who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue. R.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
By whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the LORD. R.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
shall never be disturbed. R.
Gospel – Lk 8:16-18
Jesus said to the crowd: “No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care, then, how you hear. To anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.”
Featured Saints
St. Theodore, bishop (†690). Appointed by Pope St. Vitalian as Archbishop of Canterbury. He is praised in the writings of St. Bede for his extensive travels and labours in favour of the unity and harmony of the Church in England.
St. Marianus, hermit (†sixth century). From an illustrious family of Bourges, France, he left the world to become a hermit in Berry, living thenceforth on only wild fruits and honey.
St. Charles Hyon Sŏng-mun martyr (†1846). Catechist who worked assiduously for the entrance of missionaries into Korea. He was imprisoned and beheaded along with other Christians.
St. Frithuswith, virgin and abbess (†735). An English princess, she fled marriage with a neighbouring prince and founded a convent dedicated to the Blessed Virgin in Oxford. She is the patroness of the city of Oxford and its university.
St. Maria of Cervelló, virgin (†1290). The first Mercedarian nun. She was untiring in her care of the poor and sick.
St. Marie Emilie de Rodat, virgin and foundress (†1852). She founded the Congregation of the Holy Family in Villefranche, France, for the formation of youth. She was a great devotee of the Holy Mass and of the Via Sacra. She combatted the Jansenist spirit which, under guise of humility, discouraged the frequent reception of the Eucharist.
Blessed Francisca Cualladó Baixauli, virgin and martyr (†1936). A lay seamstress, she prayed the Rosary and partook in the Eucharist daily. She was executed by firing squad in Benifaiós (Spain) during the Spanish Civil War.
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