Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest, O.P. (1170-1221; of Osma, of Caleruega), founder of the Dominicans, formally the Order of Preachers: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link O.P.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a Castilian priest & founder of the Dominican order. Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Born in old Castile, Spain, he was trained for the priesthood by a priest-uncle, studied the arts & theology, & became a canon of the cathedral at Osma, where there was an attempt to revive the apostolic common life described in the Acts of the Apostles. On the journey through France with his bishop, he came face to face with the then virulent Albigensian heresy at Languedoc. The Albigensians (Cathari, "the pure") held that all matter was evil—hence they denied the Incarnation & sacraments. On the same principle, they abstained from procreation & took a minimum of food & drink. Dominic sensed the need for the Church to combat this heresy, & was commissioned to be part of the preaching crusade against it. He & his fellow preachers gradually became a community, & in 1215 he founded a religious house at Toulouse, the beginning of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

'Tis also the festival of Saint Altmann of Passau, Bishop (circa 1015-1091): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed John Felton, Martyr (died 1570), martyred in the reign of the queen Elizabeth I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Father of Bl. Thomas Felton, O.F.M. [28 August], also martyred in the tyrannical persecutions of the queen Elizabeth I.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Religious, R.S.J. (1842-1909), 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.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Born in Melbourne in 1842 to parents who had emigrated from Scotland, Mary grew up in a family that faced constant financial struggles. As a young woman she was drawn to religious life but could not find an existing order of sisters that met her needs. In 1860, she met Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual director. Together they founded a new community of women—the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Josephite Sisters. Its members were to staff schools especially for poor children, as well as orphanages, & do other works of charity.

"Have courage no matter what your crosses are."—Mary Mother of the Cross (St. Mary MacKillop)

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Numbers, chapter twelve, verses one thru thirteen;
Psalm Fifty-one, verses three & four, five & six(a,b), six(c,d) & seven, & twelve & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty-six;
or, the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter fifteen, verses one, two, & ten thru fourteen.

Commentary: Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, our Gospel today is the story of Jesus walking on the water. Water is, throughout the Scriptures, a symbol of danger. At the very beginning, the spirit of the Lord hovered over the surface of the waters. This signals God's lordship over all of the powers of disorder.

In all four Gospels there is a version of this story of Jesus mastering the waves. The boat, with Peter and the other disciples, is evocative of the Church. It moves through the waters, and the Church will move through time. Storms—chaos, corruption, stupidity, danger, persecution—will inevitably arise.

Now during the fourth watch of the night, which is to say the darkest time of the night, Jesus comes walking on the sea. This is meant to be an affirmation of his divinity: just as the spirit of God hovered over the waters at the beginning, so Jesus hovers over them now. So he says to his terrified disciples: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." But even more than that: you can participate in my power. "Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus." This is the story of all the saints.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Dominic
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter two, verses one thru ten(a);
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses fifty-seven thru sixty-two.

Mass Readings—Requiem for Papa Echo Delta
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter twelve, verse thirty-one thru chapter thirteen, verse eight(a);
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses six, seven, & eight;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).