Friday of the Second week of Advent

Book of Isaiah

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

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

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 (1587-1651)()

SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI (1587-1651) Virginia Centurione Bracelli was born at Genoa, Italy, on April 2, 1587. She was from the family of Giorgio Centurione, duke of the Republic from 1621 to 1622, and Lelia Spinola. Baptized two days after her birth, she received catechism and education from 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. Before he passed away at Alessandria on June 13, 1607, he reconciled by confessing his sins and receiving pardon (Jn. 20:23). 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 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 economic hardship. With increasing numbers of refugees, 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. Serving the Church during plagues and famines from 1629 to 1630, Virginia began renting the empty convent of Monte Calvario. She transferred there on April 13, 1631, together with beneficiaries under the protection of Our Lady of Refuge. Three years later, the Institute expanded into three houses, accommodating 300 patients and vulnerable persons. Virginia petitioned for official acknowledgement from the Senate of the Republic, which they received on December 13, 1635. The beneficiaries ofOur Lady of Refuge became like Virginia's family. She taught catechism and provided access to opportunities and training in professional skills. Sometimes, she cured spiritual illnesses. Virginia bought two villas next to Carignano's Hill and constructed a church dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. The two villas became the mother house of the Institute. Later, it was divided into the "Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary" (Suore di Nostra Signora del Rifugio di Monte Calvario) and the "Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary" (Figlie di Nostra Signora al Monte Calvario). On July 3, 1641, daily administration was encharged to nominees. As a consequence of war, economic hardship and corruption, the number of collaborators decreased. The shortages compelled Virgina to assume leadership and take responsibility for the sisters in Carignano's House. Virginia served and proclaimed the Gospel till she passed away on December 15, 1651, at the age of 64. She was beatified on September 22, 1985, and canonized on May 18, 2003, by Pope John Paul II.

St. Mesmin († 520)()

SAINT MESMIN ( 520) St. Mesmin was a native of Verdun. When citizens rebelled against King Clovis, a priest named Euspice, the king's uncle, brokered a truce. Clovis afterward persuaded Fr. Euspice to reside at court. Fr. Euspice accepted, and took St. Mesmin with him. On the journey to Orleans, Fr. Euspice noticed a solitary spot called Micy about two leagues from the city and beyond the Loire. He solicited Micy from Clovis and there 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 his monastery without reducing its supply. 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 peacefully. 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 he attained eternal life and the beatific vision.

St. Christiana()

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of december 2023