Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Catholic Schools Week

Saints: Saint Ansgar or Oscar, Bishop, Apostle of the North (-865); Saint Blaise, Bishop, Martyr (4th century); Saint Laurence of Canterbury, Missionary, Archbishop of Canterbury; Saint Dunstan of Canterbury, Archbishop of Canterbury (-988); Saint Theodore of Canterbury (602-690), Archbishop of Canterbury; Saint Werburg (7th-8th century); Saint Anne Linn, nee Heigham (1565?-1601); Saint Peter of Ruffia OP, Martyr (c. 1320-1365); Blessed Anthony of Pavonio OP, Martyr (1326-1374); Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio OP, Martyr c.1420-1466)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: RB 7:49-55

Mass: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; Resp Ps (1 Chr 29); Mk 6:7-13

Yours, O Lord, are grandeur and power, majesty, splendor, and glory.

MARY, QUEEN OF MISSIONARIES,

QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

In our ever-increasing litany of saints, we invoke several missionaries today, with some of them martyrs. Their admirable qualities inspire us in our work as missionaries wherever we find ourselves. We might not be asked to go out two by two and be given authority over unclean spirits (Mk 6:7), as with the early disciples of Jesus in today's Gospel, or go to a foreign land to meet the local people where they are. Still, we are missionaries in our homes, communities, work environments, parishes, and social gatherings. We are meant to be witnesses to our faith, to the love and mercy of Jesus. We face difficulties such as rejection and unbelief, arguments and dismissal. Jesus is clear: Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them (Mk 6:10). Above all, do not be discouraged. As Father Franci Mahieu, ocso (1912-2002), once said, "We have to learn from the mistakes of the disciples who failed to understand Jesus' suffering." And as Jesus Himself said more than once, whoever wishes to come after me, must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. We are united in faith and prayer. Corraggio.

Do not despair. 

Put your trust in God that He may pull you up and move you onwards by favorable winds.

(Francis Mahieu, ocso, d. 2002 at the age of 90, after 65 years of monastic life) 

SAINT ANSGAR,

SAINT BLAISE,

SAINT LAURENCE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT DUNSTAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT THEODORE OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT WERBERG,

SAINT ANNE LINNE,

SAINT PETER OF RUFFIA,

BLESSED ANTHONY OF PAVONIO,

BLESSED BARTHOLOMEW OF CERVERIO,

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI,

SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS,

SAINT JOHN CANTIUS,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT MARY ELLEN MACKILLOP,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CABRINI,

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT JEANNE DE LESTONNAE,

BLESSED MARY RIVIER,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Another one from this past Sunday. Sun and moon; bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022