Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major

First Friday of the Month

Saint: Blessed Frederic Janssoone (1838-1916)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 53:16-24 The Reception of Guests

Mass: Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Resp Ps (Dt 32); Mt 16:24-28

Learn then that I, I alone, am God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, 

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

(Mt 16:24)

Welcome to the First Friday of the Month, a day too when we commemorate the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of the four major basilicas (along with Saint Peter's Basilica, the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls, and the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran) in Rome, and the oldest church in the West that is dedicated to Our Lady. The basilica celebrates the motherhood of Mary, as it was built shortly after the Council of Ephesus (431) formally proclaimed the mother of Jesus as the Mother of God. The basilica is home to the icon Mary, Salus Populi Romani, Protectress of the Roman People. It is customary for the Holy Father to pray in front of the icon before Apostolic Journeys, thereby entrusting his visits to Our Lady. Upon his return from a journey, the Pontiff prays in front of the icon again, thanking God for blessing his journey. 

Entrust your cares to Mary, Mother of God. She knows a thing or two about crosses. Our Lady will help you carry yours. Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an ever-shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held Him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord ...

Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin, Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(From a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, in Office of Readings, August 5).

BLESSED FREDERIC JANSSONE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: A lily from Queen of Angels Monastery, home of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel. We are united in faith and prayer. Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022