Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

In other years: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917); Saint Machar (8th century); Blessed Maria Teresa Scrilli (1825-1889)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 35:12-18 Kitchen Servers of the Week

Mass:  Malachi 3:19-20a; Resp Ps 98; 2 Th 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19

The mountains shout with them for joy.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,*

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

For those who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

(Malachi 3:20a)

Something that comes to mind in light of today's readings is Saint Paul's Letter to the Colossians where the Apostle writes, "Seek the things that are above" (Col. 3:1). So doing, with the grace of God, we will persevere in the faith, amidst the crucible of daily life. Crucible, today's Merriam-Webster "Word of the Day," meaning a difficult test or challenge, presented to us today not by accident. Daily, hourly, sometimes minute by minute we are faced with tests and challenges to our faith, whether it is by others who criticize us, or situations contrary to the ways of God. Let us be busy about our faith, and not busybodies, conducting ourselves in a disorderly way, minding the business of others instead of minding our own business (see 2 Th 3:11). Rather, we work quietly, in the ways of the Lord (see 2 Th 3:12). Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor 16:13-14). 

Never forget that life is nothing but a growing in love and a preparation for eternity.

(Christoph Probst, d. 1943)

If we persevere - Jesus reminds us - we have nothing to fear, even in the sad and ugly events of life, not even in the evil we see around us, because we remain grounded in the good ... May Our Lady, servant of the Lord, persevering in prayer fortify our perseverance.

(Pope Francis, Angelus Address, November 13, 2022)

UNTIL

I think we are frightened every

Moment of our lives

Until we

Know Him.

 

                            -Hafiz

United in faith and prayer, we seek the things that are above. By your perseverance you will secure your lives (Lk 21:19).  

MOTHER CABRINI,

SAINT MACHAR,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA SCRILLI,

PRAY FOR US.

*About Our Lady of Montilgeon then. Thank you to my dear French sister, I learned about Notre-Dame de Montilgeon, the Shrine of Our Lady of Montilgeon, the world center of prayer for the deceased. You will find the shrine 93 miles from Paris, in the Diocese of Seez, Normandy (France). From the website I learned that every year, the shrine "hosts thousands of pilgrims and visitors who come on a personal quest to find consolation and hope, or to entrust their beloved deceased to Our Lady of Liberatrix (or of Deliverance)." There is plenty more to learn about Our Lady of Liberatrix and the shrine on the website. Check it out. It is fitting and right then to invoke Our Lady of Montilgeon during this month of November, the month devoted to prayer for the poor souls in Purgatory.

Friendly reminder: How is your collection of saints' names coming along? The day to choose a patron, or let one choose you, for the new liturgical is coming soon.

Today's photo: A gift from Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, CA. He comes to rule the earth.

© Gertrude Feick 2022