Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time

The Month of January Dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Saint: Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, Cistercian Abbot (1110-1167); Saint Margaret Bourgeoys (1620-1700); Saint Benet (Benedict) Biscop (c.628-690); Saint Antonio Maria Pucci, Priest (1819-1892); Saint Arcadius, Martyr (d. 302)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 1:16-22 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Heb 3:7-14; Resp Ps 95; Mk 1:40-45  

For He is our God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, ETERNAL WISDOM,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God.

(Heb 3:12)

The above from the Letter to the Hebrews is one reason why we invoke Saint Michael the Archangel every day, and throughout the day too. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil ...

One of our saints of the day, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys, the first woman saint of the Catholic Church in Canada to be canonized (by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1982), lived a life of profound imitation of the Virgin Mary, who was, as Margaret noted, "not cloistered," but "everywhere preserved an internal solitude" and "never refused to be where charity or necessity required help."* The Virgin Mary then, like her Son in today's Gospel did what needed to be done like tending to others, going to deserted places to pray to the Father and refresh, all while people kept coming to them from everywhere. So, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys followed their lead. We hear then from another saint of the day, one dear to our Order, Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, Cistercian Abbot, who had plenty to say about the Virgin Mary.

She,

filled with God

greater than the world

higher than heaven

more fertile than Paradise

the splendor of virgins

the glory of women

the praise of humanity

the gladness of angels

she whom the Son of God chose

to be His mother,

called herself a handmaiden.

United in faith and prayer then, we pray with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

SAINT AELRED OF RIEVAULX,

SAINT MARGARGET BOURGEOYS,

SAINT BENEDICT BISCOP,

SAINT ANTONIO MARIA PUCCI,

SAINT ARCADIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

* Please read about another remarkable woman, Saint Margaret Bourgeoys, on Catholic News Agency, "Saint Margaret Bourgeoys."

Today's photo: With all this rain, the Thompson Creek is busy. 

© Gertrude Feick 2023