Project BLACK MAMBA

Commentary: Despite appearances, this is not a backlog edition. There are three distinct optional memorials observed today.

Today is the Optional Memorial of Saint Clement I, Pope & Martyr (died 99), martyred under the emperor Trajan: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Pope Clement I is the first successor of St. Peter of whom anything definite is known & he is the first of the "Apostolic Fathers." He has left one genuine writing, a letter to the Church of Corinth.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. Clement became the third fourth pope around the year 91. St. Irenaeus (28 June) states that Clement knew the apostles & was strongly influenced by them. Clement wrote a scripturally-based letter to the Corinthians encouraging them to unity, charity, & holiness. He is believed to have suffered martyrdom around the year 100.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Columban, Abbot (543-615, A.K.A. Columbanus): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Not to be confused with Saint Columba (9 June). Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Columban & his followers founded monasteries throughout France, Germany, Switzerland, & Italy. His denunciations of the immoral practices of the royal court & the general populace led to his exile from France & Switzerland.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Blessed Miquel Agustín Pro, Priest & Martyr, S.J. (1891-1927), martyred during the Cristero War: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Miguel, a Mexican Jesuit priest executed under the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles on trumped-up charges of bombing & attempted assassination of former Mexican president Álvaro Obregón.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Saint quote of the week: "If I met any long-faced saints there (heaven), I will cheer them up with a Mexican hat dance!" Blessed Miguel Pro, whose feast day is 23 November.

During the Mexican revolution of the 1920s, Father Miguel Pro went about clandestinely celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, & visiting the sick. He had a great sense of humor. He was arrested & killed by a firing squad by those who opposed the Catholic faith. His last words before being short were "Viva Cristo Rey," which means, "Long live Christ the King!"

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Daniel, chapter one, versed one thru six & eight thru twenty;
The Book of Daniel, chapter three, verses fifty-two thru fifty-six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty-one, verses one thru four;

or, for Pope St. Clement's Memorial,
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses one thru four;
Psalm Eight-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen;

or, for St. Columban's Memorial,
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two;

or, for Bl. Miguel Agustín Pro's Memorial,
The Book of Sirach, chapter fifty-one, verses one thru eight;
Psalm One Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter ten, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-three.