Memorial of Saint Peter Claver, Priest
(†1654) He was a 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:1-8
Brothers and sisters: It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans– a man living with his father’s wife. And you are inflated with pride. Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst. I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our Paschal Lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Responsorial Psalm – PS 5:5-6, 7, 12
R. Lead me in your justice, Lord.
For you, O God, delight not in wickedness;
no evil man remains with you;
the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
You hate all evildoers. R.
You destroy all who speak falsehood;
The bloodthirsty and the deceitful
the LORD abhors. R.
But let all who take refuge in you
be glad and exult forever.
Protect them, that you may be the joy
of those who love your name. R.
Gospel – Lk 6:6-11
On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up and stand before us.” And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.
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). He 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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