Memorial of Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church
Memorial of St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (†604 Rome). Born in Rome around the year 540. He was elevated to the Chair of Peter in 590, during a time of tribulation due to the Lombard invasions. Pope Gregory I wrote numerous moral and theological works, and promoted missions, notably the evangelization of the British Isles, and is attributed with contributing decisively to the liturgical chant of the Church which bears his name.
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Mass Readings
First Reading – Col 1:1-8
Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy ones and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. Of this you have already heard through the word of truth, the Gospel, that has come to you. Just as in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, so also among you, from the day you heard it and came to know the grace of God in truth, as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow slave, who is a trustworthy minister of Christ on your behalf and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 52:10, 11 (R.10)
R. I trust in the mercy of God for ever.
I, like a green olive tree
in the house of God,
Trust in the mercy of God
forever and ever. R.
I will thank you always for what you have done,
and proclaim the goodness of your name
before your faithful ones. R.
Gospel – Lk 4:38-44
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Featured Saints
St. Marinus, deacon (†fourth century). He preached in the region of Rimini and withdrew to Mount Titan, where he founded a village that would give rise to the Republic of San Marino.
St. Remaclus, bishop and abbot (†c. 671- 679). While still young, he was elected abbot of Solignac, France. He founded the monasteries of Stavelot and Malmedy.
St. John Pak Hu-jae and companions, martyrs (†1839). Condemned by Korean tribunals for their ardent confession of the Catholic Faith. After prolonged torture, they were beheaded in Seoul.
Blessed Bartholomew Gutierrez, priest, and five companions, martyrs (†1632). For their Christian Faith, they were tortured and burned alive in Nagasaki (Japan).
Blessed Guala of Brescia, bishop (†1244). Dominican friar appointed Bishop of Brescia, he fought for peace at the time of Emperor Frederick II. He withdrew to the monastery of Astino, Italy, where he remained until the end of his life.
Blessed Bridget of Jesus Morello, religious (†1679). After becoming a widow, she dedicated herself to penance and works of charity. She founded the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate, for the education of girls
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