- Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, PriestWhen a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after anotherjourneying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable. "A sower went out to sow his seed.And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled,and the birds of the sky ate it up.Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when ... read more
- Sep. 23 Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest; Ember Saturday, MemorialToday is the Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), more popularly known as Padre Pio was born in 1887 in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina. He joined the Capuchin Friars at the age of sixteen and was ordained a priest seven years later. For fifty years at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotundo ... read more
- Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary TimeBeloved:Teach and urge these things.Whoever teaches something differentand does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christand the religious teachingis conceited, understanding nothing,and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,who are deprived of the truth,supposing ... read more
- Sep. 22 Friday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time; Ember Friday, WeekdayThe Roman Martyrology commemorates Sts. Maurice and Companions (d. 287), Christian soldiers who were massacred in Switzerland around the year 287 A.D. because they refused to offer sacrifices to pagan gods. They are also called the Theban Legion or Forty Martyrs. ... read more
- Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelistBrothers and sisters:I, a prisoner for the Lord,urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,with all humility and gentleness, with patience,bearing with one another through love,striving to preserve the unity of the Spiritthrough the bond of peace:one Body and one Spirit,as you were also called to the one ... read more
- Sep. 21 Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, FeastToday is the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. At the time that Jesus summoned him to follow Him, Matthew was a publican, that is, a tax-collector for the Romans. His profession was hateful to the Jews because it reminded them of their subjection; the publican, also, was regarded by the pharisees as the ... read more
- Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, MartyrsBeloved:I am writing you,although I hope to visit you soon.But if I should be delayed,you should know how to behave in the household of God,which is the Church of the living God,the pillar and foundation of truth.Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion,Who was manifested in the flesh,vindicated in the spirit,seen by angels,proclaimed to ... read more
- Sep. 20 Memorial of Sts. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Priest, and Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs; Ember Wednesday, MemorialToday is the Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs. During the 17th century the Christian faith was brought to Korea through the zeal of lay persons. From the very beginning these Christians suffered terrible persecutions and many suffered martyrdom during the 19th century. Today's feast honors a ... read more
- Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary TimeBeloved, this saying is trustworthy:whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable,married only once, temperate, self-controlled,decent, hospitable, able to teach,not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle,not contentious, not a lover of money.He must manage his own household well,keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;for if ... read more
- Sep. 19 Tuesday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time; Optional Memorial of St. Januarius, Bishop and Martyr, Opt. Mem.Today is the Optional Memorial of St. Januarius (d. 304). Very little is known about this martyr saint. He was Bishop of Benevento in Campania. He died near Naples, about the year 304, martyred under the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Around the year 400 the relics of St. Januarius were moved to Naples, which honors ... read more
- Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary TimeWhen Jesus had finished all his words to the people,he entered Capernaum.A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die,and he was valuable to him.When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him,asking him to come and save the life of his slave.They approached Jesus and ... read more
- Sep. 18 Monday of the Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, WeekdayThe Roman Martyrology commemorates St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-1663), who was born at Cupertino, Italy, and died in Osimo. He was of lowly origin and had little formal education. In his youth he was employed as an apprentice to a shoemaker. He joined the Conventual Franciscans as a lay brother but was later ordained a ... read more
- Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary TimePeter approached Jesus and asked him,"Lord, if my brother sins against me,how often must I forgive?As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a kingwho decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he ... read more
- Sep. 17 Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday"His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?' Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the ... read more
- Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, MartyrsJesus said to his disciples:"A good tree does not bear rotten fruit,nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.For every tree is known by its own fruit.For people do not pick figs from thornbushes,nor do they gather grapes from brambles.A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good,but an ... read more