Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest
St. Pio of Pietrelcina, priest (†1968). From the Order of Friars Minor Capuchins, he was favoured with many mystical gifts, including that of bearing the sacred stigmata. He was a renowned wonder-worker and apostle of the Sacrament of Confession.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ezra 6:7-8, 12b, 14-20
King Darius issued an order to the officials of West-of-Euphrates: “Let the governor and the elders of the Jews continue the work on that house of God; they are to rebuild it on its former site. I also issue this decree concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews in the rebuilding of that house of God: From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates, let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay. I, Darius, have issued this decree; let it be carefully executed.” The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building, supported by the message of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. They finished the building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia. They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The children of Israel–priests, Levites, and the other returned exiles– celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. For the dedication of this house of God, they offered one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs, together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel, in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel. Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses. The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion, sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5(R.1)
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. R.
Gospel – Lk 8:19-21
The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”
Featured Saints
St. Zechariah and St. Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist, Precursor of the Messiah.
St. Linus, Pope and martyr. The second Pope of history, chosen by St. Peter himself. He is mentioned by St. Paul the Apostle in the second letter to Timothy (cf. 2 Tim 4:21).
St. Adamnan of Iona, priest and abbot (†704). Abbot of Iona Abbey in Scotland, as well as general superior over the other Columban houses in his native Ireland to which he made lengthy visits, introducing the Roman Paschal observance there. His Life of Columba is one of the most important works from the time to reach the present day.
Blessed Joseph Stanek, priest and martyr (†1944). Religious from the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, imprisoned and hanged in Warsaw during the Second World War.
Blesseds Christopher, Anthony and John, martyrs (†1527-1529). Indigenous youths who died in Tlaxcala (Mexico), during the first evangelization of America, for helping to propagate the Christian Faith.
Blessed Elena Duglioli, widow (+1520). Born in Bologna, Italy. In her youth, she desired to consecrate herself to God, but faced with opposition from her family, she was obliged to marry. After her husband’s death, she dedicated herself to works of charity.
Blessed Bernardina Jablonska, virgin (†1940). Foundress of the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Poor in Krakow, Poland. She was the Spiritual daughter of St. Albert Chmielowski.
Image gallery
