Catholic Missal of the day: Saturday, December 15 2018

Saturday of the Second week of Advent

Saturday of the Second week of Advent

1. Reading

Book of Sirach

48,1-4.9-11.

]In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace.
]Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits;
]By God's word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire.
]How awesome are you, Elijah! Whose glory is equal to yours?
]You were taken aloft in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses.
]You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.
]Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Psalm

Psalms

80(79),2ac.3b.15-16.18-19.

]O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
]from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
]Rouse your power.
]Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
take care of this vine,
]and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
]May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
]Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

Gospel

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

17,10-13.

]As they were coming down from the mountain, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
]He said in reply, "Elijah will indeed come and restore all things;
]but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands."
]Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

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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.

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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.

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St. Christiana()

misalcatolico.com

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2018 / Catholic Missal of december 2018