Saints + Scripture

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

The Popish Plot
G. K. Chesterton's The Defendant: "Ugly Things"

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Jerome Emiliani, C.R.S. (1486-1537, also spelt Hiëronymus, Gerolamo; Jerome Aemilian), founder of the Somaschi Fathers, formally the Order of Clerics Regulars of Somasca: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.R.S.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Virgin, F.D.C.C. (circa 1869-1947): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Ælfflæd of Whitby, Abbess (circa 653-714; also spelt Elfleda, etc.), second (II) abbess of Whitby Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

Commentary: Kinswoman of St. Hilda of Whitby [17 November], the founding abbess.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Meingold (died 892; also spelt Mengold, Meingaud), Count of Huy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giuseppina Gabriella of Jesus, Religious (1843-1906, A.K.A. Giuseppina Gabriella Bonino), foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Savigliano: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter thirteen, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, three, five, & eight(b) & nine(a/b/c);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses fourteen thru twenty-nine.

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

Friends, today’s Gospel is a prelude to Jesus feeding the multitude in the desert. There is a darkness at the beginning of this famous account. We hear that John the Baptist has just been murdered; later, we hear that Jesus has withdrawn into a remote and deserted place, fearing probably that the same fate might be his.

His charisma and reputation are such that thousands come seeking him out, even in this out-of-the-way and dangerous locale. There are many overtones and undertones for the biblically minded reader. For example, there’s the prophet who is under threat—as were Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Jeremiah, and Elijah. This is the terrible fate of the one who speaks for God: hunted down, forced into exile, not at home in this world.

Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Jerome Emiliani
The Book of Tobit, chapter twelve, verses six thru thirteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two & three, four & five, six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru thirty
(or, the Gospel according to Mark, chapter ten, verses seventeen thru twenty-seven).

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter seven, verses twenty-five thru thirty-five;
Psalm Fortry-five, verses eleven & twelve, fourteen & fifteen, & sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-five, verses one thru thirteen.

Scripture Study—Exodus 90: Day 19
The Book of Exodus, chapter eight, verses sixteen thru nineteen.

Commentary: The Third Plague: Gnats (Exodus, 8:16-19).

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Children learn to do what they see others doing. For this reason, they should learn from you how to be strong, industrious, temperate, happy, & devout, upright citizens & exemplary Christians."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"Abandonment alone brings me into your arms, O Jesus."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"What a great grace it is to know God!"
—St. Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947, feast day: 8 February)