Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Saints: Saints Louis Martin and Marie Azelie Guerin (19th century); Saint John Jones (-1598)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 34 Distribution of Goods According to Need

Mass: Is 7:1-9; Resp Ps 48; Mt 11:20-24

Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised.

MARY QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Let not your courage fail.

(Is 7:4)

Even though we are no longer in the year dedicated to families, the Year of the Family "Amoris laetitia The Joy of Love," we always pray for families. And we have two great intercessors commemorated today, namely, Saint Louis Martin and Marie Azelie Guerin, the first-ever married couple with children to be canonized in the same ceremony. Remarkably, five of their nine children (four died in infancy) entered religious life, including the Little Flower, that is, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church. Still, their life was simple and faith filled. One Carmelite source has this to say: "Louis and Zelie did not do anything extraordinary in their lifetimes, but rather lived their faith in a very simple, humble way, teaching by example, knowing what it was like to mourn the loss of loved ones, nurturing the vocation of their children, and putting their faith into action by reaching out to others in need" (Society of the Little Flower).  At their 2015 canonization, Pope Francis preached this: "The holy spouses Louis Martin and Marie-Azelie Guerin practiced Christian service in the family, creating day by day an environment of faith and love which nurtured the vocations of their daughters, among whom was Saint Therese of the Child Jesus." Furthermore, "the radiant witness of these new saints inspires us to persevere in joyful service to our brothers and sisters, trusting in the help of God and the maternal protection of Mary. From heaven may they now watch over us and sustain us by their powerful intercession" (October 18, 2015). May we be inspired. Mary, queen of families, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pillar of families, pray for us.

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND MARIE AZELIE GUERIN,

SAINT JOHN JONES,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This one was taken early this last Sunday morning. Nice. The joy of all the earth.

© Gertrude Feick 2022