Daily Readings

Jeroboam left Jerusalem,and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road.The two were alone in the area,and the prophet was wearing a new cloak.Ahijah took off his new cloak,tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam:“Take ten pieces for yourself;the LORD, the God of Israel, says:‘I will tear away the kingdom from ... read more

The Roman Martyrology commemorates Bl. Christine of Spoleto (1435-1458). Born Agostina Camozzi in Osteno, Como, Italy, she was the daughter of a well-known doctor. After several years of living contrary to God's ways, she gave herself to Jesus, became an Augustinian Tertiary, and gained a reputation as a holy woman and miracle worker. ... read more

When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to strange gods,and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God,as the heart of his father David had been.By adoring Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians,and Milcom, the idol of the Ammonites,Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD;he did not follow ... read more

The Roman Martyrology, commemorates St. Eulalia (290-304), the most celebrated virgin martyr of Spain. She was a native of Merida, thirteen years of age, and was burnt at the stake in her native city under Diocletian. ... read more

The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's fame,came to test him with subtle questions.She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue,and with camels bearing spices,a large amount of gold, and precious stones.She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subjectin which she was interested.King Solomon explained everything she asked about,and there remained ... read more

The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes today, marking the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858 to fourteen-year-old Marie Bernade (St. Bernadette) Soubirous. Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, the Blessed Virgin appeared eighteen times, and showed herself to St. Bernadette in the hollow of the rock ... read more

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalemgathered around Jesus,they observed that some of his disciples ate their mealswith unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,do not eat without carefully washing their hands,keeping the tradition of the elders.And on coming from the marketplacethey do not eat without ... read more

Today is the Memorial of St. Scholastica (480-547). She was the twin sister of St. Benedict, the Patriarch of Western monasticism. She was born in Umbria, Italy, about 480. Under Benedict's direction, Scholastica founded a community of nuns near the great Benedictine monastery Monte Cassino. Inspired by Benedict's teaching, his sister devoted her whole life ... read more

The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes,the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel,came to King Solomon in Jerusalem,to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenantfrom the City of David, which is Zion.All the people of Israel assembled before King Solomonduring the festival in the month of ... read more

Today the Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Teilo, Bishop of Llandaff, Wales (d. 6th century), is celebrated as a feast in Wales. Teilo was the son of Ensic and Guenhaff. He was the spiritual student of Saint Dyfrig of Wales and friend of Saint David of Wales and Saint Samson of York. He founded Llandaff monastery ... read more

Thus says the LORD:Share your bread with the hungry,shelter the oppressed and the homeless;clothe the naked when you see them,and do not turn your back on your own.Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,and your wound shall quickly be healed;your vindication shall go before you,and the glory of the LORD shall be your ... read more

From the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A: You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in ... read more

Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice there,because that was the most renowned high place.Upon its altar Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings.In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”Solomon answered:“You have shown great favor to your servant, my father ... read more

The Roman Martyrology commemorates Blessed Pius IX (1792-1878), who reigned as pope from 1846-1878. He was the last pope to hold temporal power for the Papal States, before they were reformed. He defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8, 1854 and celebrated the First Vatican Council from ... read more

King Herod heard about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,and people were saying,“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”But when Herod learned of it, he said,“It is John ... read more