Thursday of the Fifteenth week in Ordinary Time

Book of Isaiah

The way of the just is smooth; the path of the just you make level.
Yes, for your way and your judgments, O LORD, we look to you; Your name and your title are the desire of our souls.
My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you; When your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world's inhabitants learn justice.
O LORD, you mete out peace to us, for it is you who have accomplished all we have done.
O LORD, oppressed by your punishment, we cried out in anguish under your chastising.
As a woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pains, so were we in your presence, O LORD.
We conceived and writhed in pain, giving birth to wind; Salvation we have not achieved for the earth, the inhabitants of the world cannot bring it forth.
But your dead shall live, their corpses shall rise; awake and sing, you who lie in the dust. For your dew is a dew of light, and the land of shades gives birth.

Psalms

You, O LORD, abide forever,
and your name through all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion,
for it is time to pity her.
For her stones are dear to your servants,
and her dust moves them to pity.
The nations shall revere your name, O LORD,
and all the kings of the earth your glory,
when the LORD has rebuilt Zion
and appeared in his glory;
when he has regarded the prayer of the destitute,
and not despised their prayer.
Let this be written for the generation to come,
and let his future creatures praise the LORD:
"The LORD looked down from his holy height,
from heaven he beheld the earth,
to hear the groaning of the prisoners,
to release those doomed to die."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

St. Camillus of Lellis(Priest (1550-1614))

SAINT CAMILLUS OF LELLIS Priest (1550-1614) The early years of Camillus gave no sign of sanctity. At the age of nineteen, he took service with his father, an Italian noble, against the Turks, and after four years hard campaigning found himself, through his violent temper, reckless habits, and inveterate passion for gambling, a discharged soldier. In such straitened circumstances, he was obliged to work as a laborer on a Capuchin convent which was then building. A few words from a Capuchin friar brought about his conversion, and he resolved to become a religious. Thrice he entered the Capuchin novitiate, but each time an obstinate wound in his leg forced him to leave. He repaired to Rome for medical treatment, and there took St. Philip as his confessor, and entered the hospital of St. Giacomo, of which he became the superintendent. The carelessness of the paid chaplains and nurses towards the suffering patients now inspired him with the thought of founding a congregation to minister to their wants. With this end he was ordained a priest; and in 1586, his community of the Servants of the Sick was confirmed by the Pope. Its usefulness was soon felt, not only in hospitals, but in private houses. Summoned at every hour of the day and night, the devotion of Camillus never grew cold. With a woman's tenderness, he attended to the needs of his patients. He empathized with them, consoled them, and prayed with them. He knew miraculously the state of their souls; and St. Philip saw angels whispering to two Servants of the Sick who were consoling a dying person. One day, a sick man said to the Saint, "Father, may I beg you to make up my bed? It is very hard." Camillus replied, "God forgive you, brother. Don't you know that I am your servant?" "Would that God, in the hour of my death, ask one of these to pray for and bless me." Camillus' prayers were answered when he was granted the same consolations in his last hour which he had so often procured for others. In the year 1614, he died in full command of his faculties, after two weeks' saintly preparation, as the priest was reciting the words of the ritual, "May Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and joyful countenance!"

St. Kateri Tekakwitha(Virgin (1656-1680))

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (The first native American saint) Virgin (1656-1680) St. Kateri was a courageous Native American woman who received faith in Christ. Known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" and the Iroquois maiden, she carried the treasures of the Lord, the light of the world, to those living without certainty of God's love. She was the first topropagate the marvels of sancity began by St. Scholastica, St. Gertrude, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Angela Merici and St. Rose of Lima. She is also compared to St. Therese of Child Jesus for thier similiarities in spirituality. Kateri spent her life partly in what is now the State of New York and partly in Canada. She was kind, gentle and hardworking, spending her time working, praying, and meditating. At the age of twenty, she received Baptism. Even when following her tribe in the hunting seasons, she continued her devotions before a rough cross carved by herself in the forest. When her family urged her to marry, Kateri serenely replied that she had Jesus as her only spouse. This decision, in view of the social conditions of women in Native Tribes, exposed Kateri to the risk of living as outcast and in poverty. It was a bold, unusual and prophetic gesture: on 25 March, 1679, at the age of twenty-three, with the consent of her spiritual director, Kateri took a vow of perpetual virginity - as far as we know the first time that this was done among Native Americans. The last months of Kateri's life were an even clearer manifestation of her solid faith, straight-forward humility, calm resignation and radiant joy, even in the midst of terrible sufferings. Her last words, simple and sublime, whispered at the moment of her death, sum up, like a noble hymn, a life of purest charity: "Jesus, I love you...." The Church declares to the world that Kateri Tekakwitha is saint, that she lived a life on earth of exemplary virtue and holiness and that she is now a member in heaven of the Communion of Saints who continually intercede with the merciful Father on our behalf.During St. Kateri's canonization ceremony on October 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI said in his homily: "Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life, in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation - so unusual in her culture. In her, faith and culture enrich each other! May her example help us to live where we are, loving Jesus without denying who we are. Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first Native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in all of North America! May God bless the first nations!”

St. Francis Solano(Priest (1549-1610))

SAINT FRANCIS SOLANOPriest(1549-1610) St. Francis Solano was born in the diocese of Cordova in Spain. He is remembered not just for winning thousands of souls to God, but for his humility and abundant love for Jesus Christ. From his earliest years, he was characterized by a modest behavior, prudent silence, and edifying meekness. Francis' education was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers. Later on, he entered the Order of St. Francis. There, he distinguished himself with humility, obedience, fervent prayer, and self-denial. In 1589, Fr. Francis sailed to South America to preach the Gospel to Native Americans in Peru. While near shore, the ship struck rocks, and there was danger of drowning.The captain hurried the officers and principal passengers into the only lifeboat, and tried convincing Francis to accompany them. Refusing to leave the other passengers, Fr. Francis consoled themand prayed fervently, keeping up the hope in God's mercy. At last, rescuers arrived and all were taken off-board in safety. Fr. Francis did not confine his ministry to Lima. He visited the forests and deserts inhabited by the Native Americans, and by degrees he won their trust. In this way, he baptized nine thousand Natives. He was then recalled to Lima, which at that time was like a godless Ninive. Fr. Francis preached to hardened sinners, and the whole city was soon converted. Following a painful sickness, Fr. Francis' last words were, "God be praised!" His soul departed the earth on July 14, 1610. He was declared Blessed by Pope Clement X in 1675 and canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726. St. Francis' feast is held on July 24th.

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2022 / Catholic Missal of july 2022