Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Book of Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.
"For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out."

Psalms

I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.

Letter to the Colossians

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross (through him), whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"
He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

St. Teresa de Los Andes(Carmelite (1900-1920))

Saint Teresa de Los AndesCarmelite Nun (1900-1920) St. Teresa de los Andes was a Discalced Carmelite mystic and the first Chilean to be canonized. She was born in Santiago, Chile, on July 13, 1900. She was baptized Juanita Fernandez Solar. From a very young age, she devoted herself to Christ. Reading the autobiography of the French Carmelite nun Thérèse of Lisieux had a profound effect on Juanita. After that experience, she wanted to live for God alone. Her upcoming First Communion deepened her commitment to religious life in union with Jesus. Juanita's first communion was followed by admission to the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Los Andes, on May 7, 1919. She was given the religious name Teresa of Jesus. In her journal, she wrote, “I am God’s, He created me and is my beginning and my end.” Shebegan an apostolate of letter-writing and shared her thoughts on spiritual life with many people. Within a few months of entering the Order, Teresa contracted typhus, which was diagnosed as fatal. It was three months before her 20th birthday and six months before completing her canonical novitiate. Nevertheless, she was allowed to profess vows in periculo mortis (danger of death). She thereby passed away as a professed nun of the Order on April 12, 1920, during Holy Week. St. Teresa remains popular with pilgrims who visit her shrine each year, numbering in the tens of thousands. Her shrineis in the township of Los Andes, 60 miles (100km.) from Santiago. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Santiago on April 3, 1987, attended by her brother Luis. She was canonized by the same pope six years later.

St. Clelia Barbieri(Foundress (1847-1870))

Saint Clelia Barbieri Foundress of the Congregation of the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata" (1847-1870) Saint Clelia Barbieri was born on February 13, 1847. She grew up in a village called "Budrie" of S. Giovanni, in Persiceto, on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy. Her father, Giuseppe Barbieri, came from perhaps the poorest family of "Budrie," while her mother, Giacinta Nannetti, was from the most prominent. Giuseppe worked as servant for Giacinta's uncle, the district's medical doctor, while Giacinta was the daughter of the well-to-do Pietro Nannetti.After Giacinta's much-contested wedding, she accepted the poverty of a laborer's life and moved from a comfortable home to the humble cottage of her father-in-law, Sante Barbieri. There, she raised a family built on the rock of faith and a fully Christian life. Clelia was baptized on the day she was born. She was taught how to love God and received a desire for holiness. One day, she asked, "Mother, how can I become a saint?" She learned sewing, spinning and weaving hemp, which was the most important work of the district. In 1855, during a cholera epidemic, the eight-year-old Clelia lost her father. Through the generosity of her uncle, she, her mother and younger sister, Ernestina, moved into a more comfortable house near the parish church. For Clelia, the days became more saintly and dedicated. Anyone who wanted to see her could always find her either at home weaving and sewing or in church praying. Although it was usual at that time to receive First Communion almost at adulthood, Clelia, due to her unusual catechistic preparation and spirituality, made hers on June 17, 1858, at only 11 years old. This was a decisive event for Clelia, who knew the value of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (Mt. 26:26). It was while receiving communion that Clelia had her first mystical experience: exceptional contrition and repentance for her own sins and those of the world.She underwent anguish and suffering for the sins that crucified Christ and caused sorrow for Our Lady.From that day, Our Lady of Sorrows and the crucifix inspired her saintly soul. In adoration before the Holy Tabernacle, Clelia was motionless, rapt in prayer, while at home she was the companion and model for the other working girls. Far more mature than her years, she maintained contact with the girls in "Budrie," where processing hemp fibers was the main industry. Clelia brought a personal touch to her little world. She worked with joy and love, praying and thinking of God at all times and even speaking of Him to her companions. She lived charitably, completely dedicated to serving others. Her sense of Caritas, coupled with a living faith, brought light and truth to everyone she encountered. At this time, a group called "The Christian Catechism Workers" were combating spiritual lukewarmness. In "Budrie," the group was led by an elderly schoolteacher. To conduct apostolate, Clelia soon joined them. Through her involvement, the group was revitalized; and more people joined who shared the same ideals. At first, Clelia was admitted as an assistant teacher. Soon, her talents and humility led the group to elect her as their leader. She rejected several flattering marriage proposals and led the growing number of young women in apostolate and a contemplative way of life. She began receiving daily Holy Communion to nurture her faith and sanctify her apostolate to farmers and laborers. Because of Italy's unification from 1866 to 1867, Clelia delayed her goal of founding a new congregation. Her dream was finally realized on May 1, 1868, when she and her young friends moved into the so-called "teacher's house," where the Workers for Christian Catechism had formerly met. This was the humble beginning of Clelia's religious family, which was later named the religious community of the "Suore Minime dell'Addolorata." She chose the name "Minime" because of her devotion to Sts. Minimo Romito di Paola and Francesco. "Dell'Addolorata" was in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose courage Clelia deeply admired. After moving into "the teacher's house," a series of extraordinary events in the form of assistance to the young community occurred, which were undoubtedly the work of Divine Providence, and without which the group could never have survived. Institutional support was virtually nonexistent, but the small initial group grew as well as the number of poor, sick and young boys and girls needing catechism and religious instruction. It dawned on people that Clelia was a genuine leader and teacher of the faith. They started calling her "Mother" although she was only 22 years old.They addressed her with this honorific until her death, which came about very shortly. The dormant tuberculosis she always carried suddenly flared up only two years after she founded the order. Clelia died prophesying to the sister at her bedside, "I'm leaving, but I'll never abandon you. When in that alfalfa field next to the church there will be a new community house, I will no longer be with you ... You will grow in number, and you will expand over plains and mountains to work in the vineyard of the Lord. The day will come when here at 'Budrie' many will arrive with carriages and horses ..."And she added, "I'm going to Heaven and all those who will die in our community will enjoy eternal life." Clelia passed away on July 13, 1870, with the happiness of one going to meet her Beloved Lord and Spouse. Her prophecy has sincebeen fulfilled.The religious order Suore Minime dell'Addolorata has expanded and continues to grow. It extends throughout Italy, India and Tanzania. Today, the sisters following in Clelia's footsteps humbly continue the work of assisting those in need, and now number three hundred, spread over thirty-five community houses. Being only 23 at the time of her death, Clelia Barbieri is the youngest founder of a religious community in the history of the Church.She was canonized in Rome on April 9, 1989, by Pope John Paul II. She hears our prayers for intercession in Heaven, even as she gazes upon the face of her Beloved forever.

St. Henry II(King (973-1024))

SAINT HENRY II, the PIUSEmperor(973-1024) Henry, the duke of Bavaria, had a vision of his guardian, St. Wolfgang, pointing to the words "after six." The vision inspired Henry to sanctity his life as if in preparation. For six years, he worked, watched and prayed. At the end of the sixth year, he was elected emperor. Thus trained in the fear of God, Henry did everything for Jesus Christ. When pagan Slavs raided the borders of the Western empire, Henry attacked them with a small force. The pagans fled in panic when angels and saints were seen leading Henry's troops. Because of the victory, Poland and Bohemia, Moravia and Burgundy, were annexed to Henry's kingdom, and Pannonia and Hungary were won to the Church. With the Faith secured in Germany, Henry passed into Italy and drove out the Antipope Gregory. He brought Pope Benedict VIII back to Rome; and was crowned in St. Peter's by that Pontiff in 1014. Henry's custom was spending his first night in town praying at a church dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. As he was praying in St. Mary Major's during his first night in Rome, he saw the Eternal Priest, Jesus Christ enter to say Mass. Afterward, an angel touched him on the thigh saying, "Accept this sign of God's love for your chastity and justice." From that time onward, Henry was lame. Like King David, Henry employed the fruits of his conquests in the service of God. The forests and mines of his empire were consecrated to the Lord. Cathedrals, monasteries and churches rose to enlighten and sanctify once pagan lands. In 1022, when he lay on his deathbed, he gave his wife, St. Cunegunda, back to her parents as a virgin. Surrendering his pure soul to God, he encountered Jesus and Mary in eternity.

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