Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church
St. Jerome, priest and Doctor of the Church (†420, Bethlehem). After a dissolute youth, he received Baptism in 366, abandoned pagan culture and led an ascetic life in a desert of Antioch. Ordained a priest at the age of 38, he participated in the Council of Rome in 382 and became the secretary of Pope St. Damasus, who commissioned him to revise the Latin translations of the Bible, a work which became known throughout the world as the Latin Vulgate. He vigorously fought the errors of his age, and stood out, together with his contemporary, St. Ambrose, for his exhortations in defence of virginity.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a
I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked: there was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered, “To measure Jerusalem, to see how great is its width and how great its length.” Then the angel who spoke with me advanced, and another angel came out to meet him and said to him, “Run, tell this to that young man: People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country, because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst. But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.” Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be His people and he will dwell among you.
Responsorial Psalm – Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12ab, 13 (R.see 10d)
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards His flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
He guards them as a shepherd guards his flock. R.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
He shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings. R.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. R.
Gospel – Lk 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
St. Francis Borgia, priest (†1572). Duke of Gandia and viceroy of Catalonia, he renounced the world after the death of his wife and entered the Company of Jesus, of which he became the third Superior General
St. Gregory, the Illuminator, bishop (†c.326). Apostle of Armenia; near the end of his life he retired to a grotto beside the Euphrates River.
St. Honorius of Canterbury, bishop (†653). One of the original group appointed as missionaries to England by Pope St. Gregory the Great, where he worked for the spreading of the Faith and the strengthening of the local churches. He succeeded St. Justus as head of the Archdiocese of Canterbury.
St. Simon, monk (†1082). While Count of Crépy, France, he renounced his homeland, marriage and wealth to lead a hermetic life in the Jura Massif.
Blessed Frederick Albert,priest (†1876). Founded the Congregation of the Vincentian Sisters of Mary Immaculate in the city of Lanzo, Italy, to care for indigents.
Blessed Felicia Meda, abbess (†1444). Clarist nun, superior of the monastery of St. Ursula, in Milan, and of the monastery Corpus Domini, of Pesaro, Italy.
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