Saturday, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Callistus I

Readings of the day: RB 11

Mass: Joel 4:12-21; Resp. Psalm 97; Luke 11:27-28

We are gifted with two profound verses in today’s Gospel; both point to the announcement of the birth of Jesus:

First, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”

Second, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe.”

“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

“Let it be done to me according to your word.”

The greatness of our Lady was in her humility. No wonder Jesus, who lived so close to her, seemed to be so anxious that we learn from him and from her but one lesson:

to be meek and humble of heart.

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

Mary, Mother of our Savior, pray for us.

Our Lady of the Rosary

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the day: RB 7:56-58

Mass: Baruch 4:5-12,27-29; Resp. Psalm 69; Luke 10:17-24

It may be a good day to reflect on what Jesus means when he speaks of “the childlike.”

I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. 

OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

Saint Francisco de Jesus Marto, Saint Jacinta de Jesus Marto

Servant of God Lúcia de Jesus Rosa dos Santos

PRAY FOR US

OUR LADY OF SORROWS

Readings of the day: Rule of Saint Benedict (RB) 2:33-40

Mass: Hebrews 5:7-9; Resp. Psalm 31or 1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14; Resp. Psalm 16; Stabat Mater Sequence (optional); John 19:25-27 (obligatory for the memorial)

Following yesterday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we celebrate Our Lady of Sorrows, Mary, who stood by the cross of her son, Jesus. We reflect in the words of Cardinal Basil Hume: 

She stands there—noble, dignified, courageous, strong. Stabat Mater, the mother stood. She had to be there to share his pain, to be part of his mental anguish. She was no casual onlooker, no idle spectator. She shared his pain; she was part of his mental anguish. Strangely, wondrously, she was again mother. His mother in his hour of need, but our mother as well. We call her Mother, because she truly is, and thus she is now our mother in our time of need, calling us to be like her—dignified, noble, courageous, strong. (Hope from the Cross: Reflections on Jesus’ Seven Last Words, 36)

At the cross her station keeping,

Stood the mournful Mother weeping,

Close to the Jesus to the last.

O sweet Mother! Font of love,

Touch my spirit from above,

Make my heart with yours accord.

Make me feel as you have felt;

Make my soul to glow and melt

With the love of Christ, my Lord.

                     (From Stabat Mater sequence)

MOTHER MOST ADMIRABLE, PRAY FOR US.