Catholic Missal of the day: Monday, May 21 2018
Monday of the Seventh week in Ordinary Time
Monday of the Seventh week in Ordinary Time
1. ReadingLetter of James
3,13-18.]Beloved : Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.
]But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
]Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
]For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.
]But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity.
]And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.
Psalms
19(18),8.9.10.15.]The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
]The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
]The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
]Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark
9,14-29.]As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
]Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.
]He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"
]Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
]Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."
]He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me."
]They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.
]Then he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "Since childhood.
]It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
]Jesus said to him, " 'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
]Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
]Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!"
]Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!"
]But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
]When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?"
]He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."
St. Cristobal Magallanes Jara(Martyr and Priest (1869-1927))
Saint Cristóbal Magallanes JaraMartyr and Priest(1869 - 1927) St. Cristóbal Magallanes was born in 1869 in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara. His parents were farmers Rafael Magallanes and Clara Jara. St. Cristóbal worked as a shepherd, but felt called to look after Christ's sheep. At 19 years old, he entered the seminary with their encouragement. St. Cristóbal was ordained a priest at 30 years old. He taught classes in Guadalajara before returning to hishome village of Totatiche as a parish priest. He served there for nearly two decades. He opened a carpentry business to provide jobs for local men and helped plan and construct a dam for the community. He was most interested in bringing the Catholic faith to those who had not heard the Good News of Jesus, in this case the Huichol people. During this time in Mexico’s history, the government feared the power of the Catholic Church and tried to extinguish it. A constitution banned the training of priests and the seminary where Cristóbal had studied was closed and turned into a museum. In 1915, he opened his own small seminary in Totatiche and soon had more than a dozen students. The government accused St. Cristóbal of trying to incite rebellion even though he preached against violence of any kind.He was on his way to celebrate Mass when he was arrested. He was convicted without a trial and gave away his few possessions to his jailers. On May 21, 1927, he was executed together with twenty-one priests and three lay Catholics.His last words to his executioners were, “I die innocent, and ask God that my blood may serve to unite my Mexican brethren.” Two years after St. Cristóbal's martyrdom, the Cristeros War in Mexico ended and Christians were again free to practice their faith. Among the many victims was the child martyr St. José Sánchez del Río, who laid down his life for his friends. St. Cristóbal Magallanes Jara wascanonizedbyPope John Paul IIon May 21, 2000.
St. Eugene de Mazenod(Bishop (1782-1861))
Eugene de Mazenod Bishop of Marseille, founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries, Oblates of Mary Immaculate (1782-1861) Charles Joseph Eugene De Mazenod came into a world that was destined to change very quickly. Born in Aix-en-Provence in southern France on August 1, 1782, he seemed assured of position and wealth from his family, who were of the minor nobility. However, the French Revolution's turmoil upended those expectations. When Eugene was just 8 years old, his family fled France, leaving their possessions behind, and starting a long, increasingly difficult eleven-year exile.The Years in Italy The Mazenod family were political refugees who trailed through a succession of Italian cities. His father, who had been president of the Court of Accounts, Aids and Finances in Aix, was forced to try his hand at trade to support his family. He proved to be a poor businessman, and as the years went on the family came close to destitution. Eugene studied briefly at the College of Nobles in Turin, but ended formal education after a move to Venice. A sympathetic priest, Don Bartolo Zinelli, undertook to educate the young French emigre. Don Bartolo gave Eugene a fundamental education, but with a lasting sense of God and a regimen of piety that stayed with him always. A further move to Naples because of financial problems led to a time of boredom and helplessness. The family moved again, this time to Palermo where, thanks to the kindness of the Duke and Duchess of Cannizzaro, Eugene had his first taste of noble living and found it very much to his liking. He took to himself the title of "Count" de Mazenod and dreamed of a bright future.Return to France: the Priesthood In 1802, at 20 years old, Eugene returned to his homeland. His dreams and delusions were quickly shattered: He was just plain "Citizen" de Mazenod. France was a changed world, his parents had separated and his mother was fighting to retrieve the family's possessions. She also intended to have Eugene marry the richest possible heiress. Eugene sank into depression after seeing little future for himself. However, his natural qualities of concern for others, together with the faith fostered in Venice, began to assert themselves. He was deeply affected by the disastrous situation of the French Church, which had been ridiculed, attacked and decimated by the Revolution. A calling to the priesthood began to manifest itself, and Eugene answered. Despite opposition from his mother, he entered the seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris. On December 21, 1811, he was ordained a priest in Amiens.Apostolic endeavors: Oblates of Mary Immaculate Returning to Aix-en-Provence, Eugene did not assume a normal parish appointment, but started exercising his priesthood in caring for prisoners, youth, servants and country villagers. Often in the face of opposition from the local clergy, Eugene pursued his course. Soon, he sought out other equally zealous priests who were prepared to step outside the box. Eugene and his cadre preached in Provencal, the language of the common people. They went from village to village and spent hours in the confessional. In between these parish missions, the group fostered an intense community life of prayer, study and fellowship. They called themselves "Missionaries of Provence." However, so that there would be an assured continuity, Eugene boldly asked the pope to recognize the group as a Religious Congregation. His faith and his persistence paid off, and on February 17, 1826, Pope Leo XII approved the new Congregation, the "Oblates of Mary Immaculate." Eugene was elected Superior General and continued to guide the congregation for 35 years until his death. Together with their growing apostolic endeavors - preaching, youth work, care of shrines, prison chaplaincy, confessors, direction of seminaries, parishes - Eugene insisted on deep spiritual formation and a close community life. He loved Christ his apostolate answered the needs of the Church. The "glory of God, the good of the Church and the sanctification of souls" were his motivation.Bishop of Marseilles The Diocese of Marseilles had been suppressed after the 1802 Concordat. When it was re-established, Eugene's aged uncle, Canon Fortune de Mazenod, was appointed bishop. The bishop appointed Eugene as vicar general, and most of the work of rebuilding the Diocese fell to him. Within a few years, in 1832, Eugene was appointed auxiliary bishop. His Episcopal ordination took place in Rome, in defiance of the pretensions of the French Government that it had the right to sanction all such appointments. This caused a bitter diplomatic battle, and Eugene was caught in the middle. The situation was further complicated by the growing pains of his religious family. Though battered, Eugene steered ahead resolutely, and finally the impasse was broken. Five years later, he was appointed to the See of Marseilles as its bishop.A heart as big as the world The Oblates of Mary Immaculate was founded to serve the spiritually needy in the French countryside, but expanded quickly to serve everyone. The Oblates ministered in Switzerland, England and Ireland. Eugene was dubbed "a second Paul" because of his zealousness and bishops came to him asking for Oblates for their mission fields. Despite small initial numbers, Eugene sent priests to Canada, the United States, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), South Africa and Basutoland (Lesotho). They opened previously uncharted areas and established new dioceses. They "left nothing undared that the Kingdom of Christ might be advanced." In the years that followed, the Oblates expanded and are active in 68 different countries.Pastor of his Diocese Alongside his fervent missionary activity, Eugene was an outstanding pastor of the Church of Marseilles: ensuring the best seminary training for his priests, establishing new parishes, building the city's cathedral and the spectacular Shrine of Notre Dame de la Garde above the city. He encouraged priests to lives of holiness, introduced many Religious Congregations to work in the diocese and led his fellow bishops in support of the rights of the pope. He grew into a towering figure in the French Church. In 1856, Napoleon III appointed him a senator, and at his death he was the senior bishop of France.Legacy of a Saint Eugene de Mazenod passed away on May 21, 1861, at the age of 79. For his religious family and for his diocese, he was a founder and a life-giving source. For God and for the Church, he was a faithful and generous son. As he lay dying, he left his Oblates a final testament, "Among yourselves, charity, charity, charity: In the world, zeal for souls." He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 3, 1995.
St. Hospitius(Hermit († 681))
SAINT HOSPITIUS, Recluse ( 681) St. Hospitius strove to conform his life to Jesus and the Egyptian anchorites. He took sanctuary in the ruins of an old tower near Villafranca, one league from Nice in southeastern France. He girded himself with a heavy iron chain and lived on bread and dates. During Lent, he ate only roots. St. Hospitius prophesied and wrought miracles; and foretold the ravages of the Lombards in Gaul. When they arrived, they saw his chain and mistook him for a criminal. When he acknowledged that he was a sinner, one of them raised a sword to strike him. At that moment, the attacker's arm stiffened and became numb; and it was not until St. Hospitius made the sign of the cross over it that the man recovered. This miracle converted the would-be attacker, who renounced the world and served God for the rest of his life. When St. Hospitius felt his last hour had arrived, he removed his chain and knelt in prayer. He stretched himself on a little bank of earth and calmly gave up his soul to God. He passed away on May 21, 681, the day he foretold. His miracles were known and recorded by St. Gregory of Tours. Together, they worship Jesus in Heaven forever.
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2018 / Catholic Missal of may 2018
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:28Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:28Z