Project BLACK MAMBA: The Long Road Back, Prelude

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin, M.S.C. (1850-1917, A.K.A. Mother Cabrini), foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link M.S.C..

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Also called Mother Cabrini, she was an Italian-American religious sister, who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was a major support to the Italian immigrants to the United States. She was the first naturalized citizen of the United States to be canonized.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Brice of Tours, Bishop (circa 370-444): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Nicholas I, Pope (circa 800-867, the Great), one hundred fifth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Didacus of Alcalá, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1400-1463, A.K.A. Diego de San Nicolás), namesake of the Mission San Diego de Alcalá around which grew the city of San Diego: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Mission & Wikipedia-link City.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Feria
The Book of Wisdom, chapter one, verses one thru seven;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-nine, verses one(b), two, & three; four, five, & six; seven & eight; & nine & ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses one thru six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, in today's Gospel we hear Jesus speak about faith. Faith is powerful, for it is a link to the reality of God, the power that made and sustains the cosmos. Sometimes, the power of faith is manifested in spectacular and immediately obvious ways. For example, there is a long tradition of faith healing, stretching back to Jesus himself and through many of the saints. There is also the power of prayer. When some people ask in a spirit of trust, really believing that what they are asking for will happen, it happens.

But, more often than not, the power of faith manifests itself in the courage to face trauma, sickness, even the terror of death. It is the confidence that we are being guided and cared for, even when that guidance and care are not immediately apparent.

Video reflection by Monsignor James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
The Book of Hosea, chapter two, verses sixteen(b/c), seventeen(c/d), twenty-one, & twenty-two;
Psalm Forty-five, verse eleven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses thirty-eight thru forty-two.

†

Bible Study—Psalms & Proverbs
The Book of Psalms, psalm fourteen (verses one thru seven);
The Book of Psalms, psalm fifteen (verses one thru five);
The Book of Psalms, psalm sixteen (verses one thru eleven);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twelve (verses one thru twenty-eight);
The Book of Proverbs, chapter thirteen (verses one thru twenty-five).

Commentary: A Lament over Widespread Corruption (Psalm 14), the Righteous Israelite (Psalm 15), & God the Supreme Good (Psalm 16); II: First Collection of the Wisdom of Solomon (cont'd; Proverbs, 12:1-13:25).