Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Optional Memorial of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, martyrs (†303). Syrian physicians martyred in Syrrhus, Syria. They practised medicine for charity, free of charge. (Celebrated September 25 in Canada).
Mass Readings
First Reading – Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:8
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; Yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment. Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come And the years approach of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them; Before the sun is darkened, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, while the clouds return after the rain; When the guardians of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, And the grinders are idle because they are few, and they who look through the windows grow blind; When the doors to the street are shut, and the sound of the mill is low; When one waits for the chirp of a bird, but all the daughters of song are suppressed; And one fears heights, and perils in the street; When the almond tree blooms, and the locust grows sluggish and the caper berry is without effect, Because man goes to his lasting home, and mourners go about the streets; Before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is broken, And the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the broken pulley falls into the well, And the dust returns to the earth as it once was, and the life breath returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity!
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17 (R.5)
R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night. R.
You make an end of them in their sleep;
the next morning they are like the changing grass,
Which at dawn springs up anew,
but by evening wilts and fades. R.
Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!. R.
Gospel – Luke 9:43b-45
While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Featured Saints
In Canada: Feast of Sts. Jean de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, martyrs. (Celebrated on October 19 in the General Calendar) Eight Jesuit missionaries from France who evangelized among the native peoples of North America, particularly of the Huron tribe, and were captured, tortured and killed by the Iroquois on various dates over a seven-year period.
St. Gideon, judge of Israel. From the tribe of Manasseh, he delivered the chosen people from the Midianites.
St. Eusebius of Bologna, bishop (†fourth century). He fought Arianism with St. Ambrose of Milan, and strove to promote the value of virginity among youth.
St. Nilus, abbot (†1005). Born to an eminent family of Rossano, Italy, he renounced the world, and embraced the monastic life, living at several different monasteries, and times as a hermit. He founded the monastery of Grottaferrata, where he established a school of calligraphy for the copying of sacred texts.
St. Terese Couderc, virgin (†1885). Foundress of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Retreat in the Cenacle in Lalouvesc, France.
Blessed Kaspar Stangassinger, priest (†1899). Redemptorist priest, dedicated to the education of youth. He died at the age of 28, in Gars, Germany, where he was director of the minor seminary.
Blessed Luigi Tezza, priest (†1923). Founded the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camillus in Rome. He died on mission in Peru.
Blessed Lucy of Caltagirone,virgin (†1400). Franciscan tertiary who died in Salerno, Italy. She stood out for her fidelity to the Rule and devotion to the Five Wounds of Christ.
Sts. Lucy Kim, and Catherine Yi, widows, and Magdalena Cho, virgin, martyrs (†1839). For their faith in Christ, they died victims of terrible torments in Seul, Korea.
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