Memorial of Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, priest, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, martyred in Korea, during the anti-Catholic persecution waged in the nineteenth century. They are the first canonized saints of this Asian country.
Other featured Saints
St. John Charles Cornay, priest and martyr (†1837). French priest from the Paris Foreign Missions Society, he was subjected to torture and finally beheaded in Son Tay (Vietnam).
St. José Maria de Yermo y Parres, priest and founder (†1904). He cared for those in need with untiring energy and abnegation, becoming known in Mexico as the “Giant of charity. He founded the Congregation of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor.
Blessed Thomas Johnson, priest and martyr (†1537). Religious from the Charterhouse in London. He died from starvation while in the Newgate prison where he was incarcerated for his fidelity to the Church with nine other Carthusian monks.
Blessed Francis de Posadas, priest (†1713). Dominican religious who dedicated himself to preaching in Andalusia for 40 years, distinguished for his humility, penitence and charity.
Blessed Maria Teresa of St. Joseph, virgin (†1938). Foundress of the Congregation of Carmelites Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. She died in Sittard, Holland.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ezr 1:1-6
In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord inspired King Cyrus of Persia to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: “Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia: ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord, the God of heaven, has given to me, and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people, let him go up, and may his God be with him! Let everyone who has survived, in whatever place he may have dwelt, be assisted by the people of that place with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, together with free-will offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.’” Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and Levites– everyone, that is, whom God had inspired to do so– prepared to go up to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. All their neighbors gave them help in every way, with silver, gold, goods, and cattle, and with many precious gifts besides all their free-will offerings.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 126:1b-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 (R.3)
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing. R.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed. R.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing. R.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves. 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.”
