Project BLACK MAMBA

6 August was the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord: Feast-link ūnus, Feast-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

As Jesus prayed, the first of three extraordinary things happened. His face became as radiant as the sun, as if He were a source of light. Suddenly, two men appeared beside Jesus. The disciples recognized them as two of ancient Israel's greatest figures, Moses & Elijah. A cloud descended on [the] mountain top, covering & enclosing them in a thick mist. In the Old Testament the presence of God is described as a cloud, with fire & light.

Scripture of the Day (Thursday)
Personal Reading
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter seven.

Mass Readings
The Book of Daniel, chapter seven, verses nine & ten, thirteen & fourteen;
Psalm Ninety-seven, verses one & two, five & six, nine;
The Second Letter of Peter, chapter one, verses sixteen thru nineteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter nine, verses two thru ten.

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7 August was the optional memorial of Saint Sixtus II, Pope & Companions, Martyrs (d. 258), martyred under the Emperor Valerian: Martyr-link Pope, Martyrs-link Deacons, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

He repaired the rift between the sees of Rome & Carthage that had developed over the issue of baptism & re-baptism. The martyrdom of St. Sixtus was dramatic. Forbidden to hold services, he & his deacons continued to worship at the tomb of Saint Callistus. As the pope preached, soldiers broke into the chapel & beheaded Sixtus. Four of his eight attendants were also beheaded. Authorities executed another three later that day.

'Twas also the optional memorial of Saint Cajetan (1480-1547), priest, co-founder of the Theatines, formally the Congregation of Clerics Regular of the Divine Providence: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.R..

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

St. Cajetan was an Italian Catholic priest & religious reformer, who helped found the Theatines, a group that would combine the spirit of monasticism with the exercise of the active ministry. He founded a bank to help the poor & offer an alternative to usurers (loan sharks). It later became the Bank of Naples.

Scripture of the Day (Friday)
Personal Reading
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter eight.

Mass Readings
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter four, verses thirty-two thru forty;
Psalm Seventy-seven, verses twelve thru sixteen, twenty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses twenty-four thru twenty-eight.

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8 August was the Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest (1170-1221), founder of the Dominicans, formally the Order of Preachers: Saint-link ūnus & Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.P..

Commentary: Quoth the bulletin:

Dominic saw that the only way to preach orthodox doctrine effectively to these people was to be as poor as they were & to be thoroughly knowledgeable of Chrsitian theology. Founded the Dominican order, a religious community officially called the Order of Preachers.

We also remembered Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1842-1909), co-foundress of the Josephites, formally the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link R.S.J..

Scripture of the Day (Saturday)
Personal Reading
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-four;
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter nine.

Mass Readings
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter six, verses four thru thirteen;
Psalm Eighteen, verses two thru four, forty-seven, fifty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter seventeen, verses fourteen thru twenty.