Memorial of St. Martha; sister of Mary and Lazarus, friend of Jesus; made a powerful statement of faith after her brother’s death: “I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings […]

Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: Pope St. Innocent I, 378-417; emphasized papal supremacy, strongly favored clerical celibacy, and fought the unjust removal of St. John Chrysostom Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/28/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Saints Natalie and Aurelius; husband and wife, martyred for the open practice of their faith in 852 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/27/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/26/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52

Feast of St. James, apostle; brother of John the Evangelist; witnessed the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemane; first apostle to be martyred, 44 A.D. Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/25/20 Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Sharbel Makhluf, 1828-1898; Lebanese hermit and priest; his reputation for holiness drew people to seek his blessing and prayers; followed a strict fast, and was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/24/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23

Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Bridget of Sweden, 1303-1373; married King Magnus II of Sweden, and was the mother of eight children; founded a monastery for men and women, the basis of the Bridgetines Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/23/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:10-17

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene; first witness to the Resurrection; “apostle of the apostles”; died about 63 A.D. Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/22/20 Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Tuesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, 1559-1619; had a great gift of languages; became a Capuchin Franciscan, and, eventually, papal emissary and peacemaker; died in Lisbon Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/21/20 Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris, bishop and martyr; sent by St. Peter to be bishop of Ravenna, Italy; exiled and returned four times; was beaten and killed at Classis in about 79 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/20/20 Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42