Catholic Missal of the day: Friday, December 15 2017
Friday of the Second week of Advent
Friday of the Second week of Advent
1. ReadingBook of Isaiah
48,17-19.]Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.
]If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
]Your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, Their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence.
Psalms
1,1-2.3.4.6.]Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
]But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
]He is like a tree
planted near running water,
that yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
]Not so, the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
]For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
11,16-19.]Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
]'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'
]For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.'
]The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by her works."
St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli(Foundress (1587-1651))
SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI (1587-1651) Virginia Centurione Bracelli was born in Genoa, Italy, on April 2, 1587. She was from the family of Giorgio Centurione, the Republic's duke from 1621 to 1622, and Lelia Spinola. She was baptized two days after her birth and was catechized and educated by her mother and private tutors.She felt called to religious life, but obeyed her father by marrying Gaspare Grimaldi Bracelli on December 10, 1602. Gaspare's affluent family failed to intervene and correct his vices. As a consequence, Virginia was widowed at age 20. Gaspare left behind two daughters, Lelia and Isabella. He confessed his sins before passing away in Alessandria on June 13, 1607. The scriptural evidence for the sacrament is found in John 20:23; but it existed before scripture was written through Tradition. After her husband's passing, Virginia made a vow of chastity and refused a second arranged marriage. She lived at her mother-in-law's house and managed her children's education and the estate. In 1610, she answered the call to religious life. In the autumn of 1624 or 1625, Virginia welcomed 15 orphans into her home. The war between the Liguorian Republic and the Duke of Savoy, supported by France, had increased the number of refugees. Thus, Virginia opened shelters for at-risk, vulnerable persons. In August 1625, with her mother-in-law's passing, she began corporal and spiritual works of mercy in the slums. From 1629 to 1630, Virgina served the Church during plagues and famines. She began renting the empty convent of Monte Calvario and transferred there on April 13, 1631: accompanied by beneficiaries under the protection of Our Lady of Refuge. Three years later, the Institute expanded into three houses and accommodated 300 patients and vulnerable persons. Virginia petitioned for official acknowledgement from the senate of the Republic, which she received on December 13, 1635. The beneficiaries ofOur Lady of Refuge became like Virginia's family. She provided them catechism, access to opportunities and training in professional skills. Sometimes, she cured spiritual illnesses. Virginia bought two villas next to Carignano's Hill and dedicated a church to Our Lady of Refuge, which became the Institute's mother house. Later, it was divided into the "Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary" and the "Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary." On July 3, 1641, daily administration was encharged to nominees. However, war and economic hardship reduced the number of collaborators. Virginia took leadership once again until passing away on December 15, 1651. She was beatified on September 22, 1985. She was canonized on May 18, 2003, by Pope John Paul II.
St. Mesmin(Abbot († 520))
SAINT MESMIN ( 520) When citizens rebelled against King Clovis, a truce was brokered by Father Euspice, the king's uncle. King Clovis persuaded Fr. Euspice to reside at court; and the latter took St. Mesmin with him. St. Mesmin was a native of Verdun. On the journey to Orleans, Fr. Euspice noticed a solitary place called Micy about two leagues from the city, beyond the Loire. He acquired it from King Clovis and built a monastery. St. Mesmin and several disciples helped in its construction. Fr. Euspice passed away two years after St. Mesmin was consecrated abbot by Bp. Eusebius. During a famine, St. Mesmin fed nearly the whole city of Orleans with wheat from the monastery. He also drove out an enormous serpent from a place where he was later buried. After governing the monastery for ten years, St. Mesmin passed away. He went to his eternal reward on December 15, 520. The atmosphere was perceptively peaceful and there was a fragrance in the air. The miracles proceeding from his intercession prove that he attained the beatific vision.
St. Christiana()
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2017 / Catholic Missal of december 2017
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:13Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:13Z