Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
Optional Memorial of: St. Peter Claver, priest (†1654). Jesuit born in Spain, who exercised his ministry in Cartagena, Colombia. For forty years, he dedicated himself with great compassion and charity to the spiritual assistance of African slaves. He was proclaimed by Pope Leo XIII as Patron of missions among African peoples. (Memorial in USA.)
Mass Readings
First Reading – 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22B-27
Brothers and sisters: If I preach the Gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the Gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the Gospel. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the Gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12 (R. 2)
R. How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God!
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God. R.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young—
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God! R.
Blessed they who dwell in Your house!
continually they praise You.
Blessed the men whose strength You are!
their hearts are set upon the pilgrimage. R.
For a sun and a shield is the LORD God;
grace and glory He bestows;
The LORD withholds no good thing
from those who walk in sincerity. R.
Gospel – Lk 6:39-42
Jesus told His disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,’ when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”
Featured Saints
Blessed George Douglas, priest and martyr (†1587). Scottish priest condemned to death in York, for refusing to recognize Elizabeth I as the supreme head of the Church in England.
Blessed Pierre Bonhomme, priest (†1861). Distinguished himself by his popular missions and evangelization of farmers in France. He founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Calvary, to care for youth, the sick and the needy.
St. Kieran, abbot (†549). One of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland” who studied at Clonard Abbey under St. Finian, he there acquired fame for his holiness and wisdom, and later founded the Monastery of Clonmacnoise which became an important centre of learning and religious life.
Blessed James Desiré Laval, priest (†1864). French physician, he was ordained a priest and went as a missionary to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
Blessed Francisco Gárate Aranguren, religious (†1929). Jesuit lay brother; he served as porter for 42 years at the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain.
Blessed Maria de la Cabeza, laywoman (†Twelfth century). Spouse of St. Isidore the Labourer, patron of Madrid. A model wife and mother, especially for her piety, patience and charity.
Blessed Maria Euthymia,virgin (†1955). Religious from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy; she served God by serving the sick during the Second World War. She died in Münster, Germany.
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