'Tis the festival of Saints Victoria & Anatolia, Virgins; & Audax; Martyrs (died circa 250), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Decius, victims of the Decian Persecution (250-251): Martyr-link Victor, Martyr-link Alpha-November, Martyr-link Alpha-Uniform, & Wikipedia-link; Persecutions-link & Wikipedia-link Persecution.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Ss. Victoria & Anatolia were sisters; St. Audax was one of their persecutors who, as happens, was converted by their piety & courage in the face of injustice & death.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge, Religious, O.S.B. (died circa 690): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Kinswoman of St. Pepin of Landen [21 February]; mother of Ss. Gudula of Brussels [8 January], Emebert of Cambrai [15 January], Reineldis of Saintes [16 July], & Pharaildis [4 January].
'Tis also the festival of Saint Amalberga of Temse, Virgin (circa 741-772): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saints Lantfrid, Waltram, & Elilantus, Abbots, O.S.B. (eighth century), founders & first, second, & third abbots of the Benediktbeuern Abbey: Saint-link Lima, Saint-link Whiskey, Saint-link Echo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Benediktbeuern.
Commentary: Brothers.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Canute, Martyr (circa 1042-1086, King Canute IV of Denmark; A.K.A. the Holy, also spelt Knud): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Uncle of the fellow martyr St. Canute Lavard [7 January].
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
The Book of Hosea, chapter fourteen, verses two thru ten;
Psalm Fifty-one (R/. seventeen[b]), verses three & four, eight & nine, twelve & thirteen, & fourteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses sixteen thru twenty-three.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus predicts the persecution of his followers. A vast army of martyrs have in the course of Christian history given their lives for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. They are from every culture, country, language, and background.“Viva Cristo Rey!”Video reflection by Paula Trigo-Galan (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops): Daily Reflection.
This is the army that stands opposed to worldly armies that do their work through violence, threats, and oppression. They witness to the power and authority of the risen Lord and therefore they are fighters—but they do not fight with the weapons of the world.
One might think of St. Peter himself, crucified upside down; or Felicity and Perpetua, thrown to wild animals; or of Thomas Becket, who resisted King Henry II’s attempts to manipulate the Church and was butchered by his henchmen; or Thomas More, who resisted another King Henry and paid for it with his head.
One might think of Paul Miki, the Japanese Jesuit, who was crucified for announcing the Christian faith; or Miguel Pro, who was shot to death for defying a repressive Mexican government, shouting as he was martyred,
Video reflection by Doctor John Bergsma (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Daily Reflection.
Scripture Study—Day 91: Contentness Plateau, Day 19
The Second Book of Samuel, chapter six, verses six & seven.
Commentary: David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (cont'd; 2 Samuel, 6:6-7).
Papal Quote o' the Day
"There can be no outward peace unless it reflects & is ruled by that interior peace without which the affairs of human beings shake, totter, & fall. Only God's holy religion can foster, strengthen, & maintain such peace."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John XXIII (1881-1963, r. 1958-1963; feast: 11 October)
"One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened & wounded soul."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast: 1 October)
"Once we take our eyes away from ourselves, from our interests, from our own rights, privileges, ambitions—then they will become clear to see Jesus around us."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—St. Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"One day a woman came to me & told me that she could never love her husband again. I told her to try & think back to how much she loved him the day of their marriage, as they stood side by side at the altar. For that is the way he really was. What the woman had to do was to see, beneath the distorted image, the real person to whom she committed her life. This is precisely what our Lord does in coming to this earth. Even when men raged & stormed beneath His cross, He saw them as homeless & unhappy children of the Father in heaven. For them He grieved & for them He died. This is the vision our Lord has of humanity."
—Ven. Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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