Catholic Missal of the day: Monday, December 15 2025

Monday of the Third week of Advent

Book of Numbers

When Balaam raised his eyes and saw Israel encamped, tribe by tribe, the spirit of God came upon him,
and he gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled:
How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your encampments, O Israel!
They are like gardens beside a stream, like the cedars planted by the LORD.
His wells shall yield free-flowing waters, he shall have the sea within reach; His king shall rise higher than. . . . and his royalty shall be exalted.
Then Balaam gave voice to his oracle: The utterance of Balaam, son of Beor, the utterance of the man whose eye is true,
The utterance of one who hears what God says, and knows what the Most High knows, Of one who sees what the Almighty sees, enraptured and with eyes unveiled.
I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near: A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.

Psalms

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.
In your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
he teaches the humble his way.  

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”
Jesus said to them in reply, "I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things.
Where was John's baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?" They discussed this among themselves and said, "If we say 'Of heavenly origin,' he will say to us, 'Then why did you not believe him?'
But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet."
So they said to Jesus in reply, "We do not know." He himself said to them, "Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

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 duke of the Republic 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 (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 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 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. 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 their 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. The 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. However, the number of collaborators decreased because of war, economic hardship and corruption. The shortages impelled Virginia to take leadership once more. Virginia directed the Institute until she passed 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) St. Mesmin was a native of Verdun. 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. On the journey to Orleans, Fr. Euspice noticed a solitary spot called Micy about two leagues from the city, beyond the Loire. He solicited the place from 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 his monastery. He also drove out an enormous serpent from the 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()

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2025 / Catholic Missal of december 2025