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

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/19/20 Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43

Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Camillus de Lellis, 1550-1614; founder of the Ministers of the Sick; ran numerous hospitals, and sent members of his order to wounded troops in Hungary and Croatia; patron of doctors, nurses, and the sick Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/18/20 Gospel: […]

Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Carmelite Nuns of Compiegne; 16 Carmelite nuns who were martyrs of the French Revolution in 1794 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/17/20 Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; originated with the hermits on Mount Carmel, who later became the Carmelite order Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/16/20 Gospel: Matthew 11:28-30

Memorial of St. Bonaventure, 1221-1274; bishop and doctor of the church; Franciscan contemporary and friend of St. Thomas Aquinas; restored peace to the Franciscan order; appointed Cardinal and Bishop of Albano; assisted at the Second Council of Lyons Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/15/20 Gospel: […]