St. Casimir

Feast dayJune 9

St. Casimir (1461-1484) was a prince of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, known for his deep piety, devotion to God, and acts of charity. Born on October 3, 1458, in Wawel Castle, Kraków, he was the second son of King Casimir IV and Queen Elizabeth of Austria.

Key Highlights of His Life
Early Life and Education: Casimir was well-educated, learning Latin, German, law, history, rhetoric, and classical literature. He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and often prayed the hymn “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary”2.

Spiritual Devotion: From a young age, Casimir showed a strong commitment to his faith. He practiced penitential acts, slept on the floor, and spent nights in meditation on the Passion of Christ2.

Acts of Charity: Casimir was known for his generosity towards the poor and the sick. He often gave away his possessions to those in need1.

Martyrdom: Casimir died on March 4, 1484, at the age of 25, likely from tuberculosis. He was buried in Vilnius Cathedral.

Canonization: His canonization was initiated by his brother, King Sigismund I the Old, in 1514, and he was canonized by Pope Leo X in 1521 or Pope Clement VIII in 1602.

Legacy and Patronage
Saint Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuania and Lithuanian youth. His feast day is celebrated on March 4th. In Vilnius, his feast day is marked with the Kaziuko mugė, a trade fair held on the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of his death.


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Bible readings

Daily mass readings for Dec 1, 2024

Daily mass readings : First Sunday of Advent

Reading I : Jer 33:14-16

The days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will fulfill the promise
I made to the house of Israel and Judah.
In those days, in that time,
I will raise up for David a just shoot ;
he shall do what is right and just in the land.
In those days Judah shall be safe
and Jerusalem shall dwell secure;
this is what they shall call her:
“The LORD our justice.”


Responsorial Psalm : Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

R. (1b) To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior,
and for you I wait all the day.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
All the paths of the LORD are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
The friendship of the LORD is with those who fear him,
and his covenant, for their instruction.
R. To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.


Reading II : 1 Thes 3:12—4:2

Brothers and sisters:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all,
just as we have for you, 
so as to strengthen your hearts, 
to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father 
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.  Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters, 
we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that,
as you received from us 
how you should conduct yourselves to please God
and as you are conducting yourselves
you do so even more.
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.


Alleluia : Ps 85:8

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Show us, Lord, your love;
and grant us your salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel : Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”


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Daily mass readings for Nov 30,2024

Daily mass readings : Feast of Saint Andrew, Apostle

Reading I : Rom 10:9-18

Brothers and sisters:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
The Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
There is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can people preach unless they are sent?
As it is written,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!
But not everyone has heeded the good news;
for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?
Thus faith comes from what is heard,
and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
But I ask, did they not hear?
Certainly they did; for

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth,
    and their words to the ends of the world.

Responsorial Psalm : 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R. (10) The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. (John 6:63) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
or:
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Alleluia : Mt 4:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come after me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of men.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Mt 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.


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St. Lydia Purpuraria

Feast dayJune 9

St. Lydia of Thyatira, also known as St. Lydia Purpuraria or Lydia the Purple Seller, is recognized as the first documented convert to Christianity in Europe. She is mentioned in the Book of Acts in the New Testament.

Key Highlights of Her Life
Background: Lydia was from Thyatira, a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), known for its production of purple dye. She was a seller of purple cloth, which is why she is often referred to as “Lydia Purpuraria” (the purple seller).

Encounter with Paul: Lydia met Apostle Paul and his companions during his second missionary journey. She was gathered with other women by the riverbank in Philippi when Paul spoke to them about the life of Christ. Lydia’s heart was opened to listen, and she became a believer2.

Conversion and Baptism: Lydia and her household were baptized, and she insisted that Paul and his companions stay at her home in Philippi. Her house likely became an early meeting place for Christians in the area2.

Legacy: Lydia is considered the patron saint of dyers and is honored for her role in spreading Christianity in Europe2. Her feast day is celebrated on August 3rd in the Eastern Orthodox Church and January 27th in the Episcopal Church in the United States.


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Daily mass readings for Nov 29,2024

Daily mass readings : Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : RV 20:1-4, 11—21:2

I, John, saw an angel come down from heaven,
holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a heavy chain.
He seized the dragon, the ancient serpent,
which is the Devil or Satan,
and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss,
which he locked over it and sealed,
so that it could no longer lead the nations astray
until the thousand years are completed.
After this, it is to be released for a short time.

Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment.
I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God,
and who had not worshiped the beast or its image
nor had accepted its mark on their foreheads or hands.
They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Next I saw a large white throne and the one who was sitting on it.
The earth and the sky fled from his presence
and there was no place for them.
I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne,
and scrolls were opened.
Then another scroll was opened, the book of life.
The dead were judged according to their deeds,
by what was written in the scrolls.
The sea gave up its dead;
then Death and Hades gave up their dead.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire.
(This pool of fire is the second death.)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life
was thrown into the pool of fire.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.
The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,
and the sea was no more.
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Responsorial Psalm : PS 84:3, 4, 5-6A AND 8A

R. (Rev. 21:3b) Here God lives among his people.
My soul yearns and pines
for the courts of the LORD.
My heart and my flesh
cry out for the living God.
R. Here God lives among his people.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest
in which she puts her young–
Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my king and my God!
R. Here God lives among his people.
Blessed they who dwell in your house!
continually they praise you.
Blessed the men whose strength you are!
They go from strength to strength.
R. Here God lives among his people.

Alleluia : LUKE 21:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : LK 21:29-33

Jesus told his disciples a parable.
“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees.
When their buds burst open,
you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near;
in the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that the Kingdom of God is near.
Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, 
but my words will not pass away.”


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St. John XXIII

Feast dayJune 9

St. John XXIII (1881–1963), born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the 261st pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1958 until his death in 1963. Known as the “Good Pope,” he is celebrated for his humility, pastoral warmth, and vision for a renewed Church. Here are some key aspects of his life and pontificate:

Early Life and Ministry
Born: November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Italy, into a humble farming family.
Education: Studied at the Pontifical Roman Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1904.
Diplomatic Career: Served as a papal diplomat in Bulgaria, Turkey, and France, where he worked to foster relations between Catholics and other Christian communities, as well as with Muslims and Jews.
Papacy (1958–1963)
Election: Elected pope on October 28, 1958, at age 76, many expected his pontificate to be transitional. Instead, it became transformative.
Second Vatican Council (Vatican II): Convened the council in 1962, seeking to renew the Church and engage it with the modern world. His vision was one of aggiornamento (bringing up to date) while remaining faithful to tradition.
Social Teachings: Promoted peace and social justice, most notably through his encyclical Pacem in Terris (1963), which addressed peace and human rights in the nuclear age.
Key Themes and Legacy
Pastoral Approach: Known for his kindness, accessibility, and emphasis on the Church as a motherly and merciful presence.
Dialogue: Encouraged dialogue with other Christian denominations and religions.
Canonization: Declared a saint by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014, alongside St. John Paul II.
St. John XXIII is affectionately remembered for his human warmth and visionary leadership, leaving an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. His feast day is October 11, commemorating the opening of the Second Vatican Council.


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Daily mass readings for Nov 28, 2024 Thanksgiving Day

Mass readings for Thanksgiving day

Reading I : Sir 50:22-24

And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days.

Responsorial Psalm : 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Generation after generation praises your works
and proclaims your might.
They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty
and tell of your wondrous works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
They discourse of the power of your terrible deeds
and declare your greatness.
They publish the fame of your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your justice.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord

Reading II : 1 Cor 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God always on your account
for the grace of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Alleluia : 1 Thes 5:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Lk 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”


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St. Drogo

Feast dayJune 9

St. Drogo of Sebourg, also known as Druon, Dreux, Dron, Droon, or Drogon, was a Flemish hermit and pilgrim who lived in the 12th century. Born on March 14, 1105, in Epinoy, France, he is known for his piety, charity, and devotion to prayer.

Key Highlights of His Life
Early Life: Drogo was born into nobility but became an orphan at birth. Raised by relatives, he chose a life of poverty and penance at the age of 20, giving away his wealth to the poor1.

Shepherd and Hermit: He worked as a shepherd for six years, using his time in solitude for prayer and penance. His skills in caring for animals and his charitable nature earned him the respect and affection of those around him1.

Pilgrimages: Despite his relative obscurity, Drogo was known for his frequent pilgrimages, reportedly visiting Rome nine times and other holy sites in France and Italy.

Bilocation: It was rumored that Drogo had the gift of bilocation, being seen in multiple places at once. This led to the saying, “I’m not Saint Drogo; I can’t ring the church bell for Mass and be in the procession!”1

Final Years: Due to a hernia, Drogo built a small cell against the church wall in Sebourg, where he lived out his final years, continuing his devotion and receiving food and water from those seeking his prayers.

Patronages and Legacy
Saint Drogo is the patron saint of shepherds, coffee house keepers, and unattractive people. His feast day is celebrated on April 16, the day of his death in 1186. He is venerated for his humility, charity, and dedication to a life of prayer and service.


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Daily mass readings for Nov 27,2024

Daily mass readings : Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Reading 1 : RV 15:1-4

I, John, saw in heaven another sign, great and awe-inspiring:
seven angels with the seven last plagues,
for through them God’s fury is accomplished.

Then I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire.
On the sea of glass were standing those
who had won the victory over the beast
and its image and the number that signified its name.
They were holding God’s harps,
and they sang the song of Moses, the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and wonderful are your works,
Lord God almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
O king of the nations.
Who will not fear you, Lord,
or glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All the nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Responsorial Psalm : PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 7-8, 9

R. (Rev. 15: 3b) Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
the mountains shout with them for joy.
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
Before the LORD, for he comes,
for he comes to rule the earth;
He will rule the world with justice
and the peoples with equity.
R. Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!

Alleluia : RV 2:10C

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : LK 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”


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St. Jacinta Marto

Feast dayJune 9

St. Jacinta Marto was one of the three children who witnessed the Our Lady of Fátima apparitions in 1917, along with her cousin Lúcia and her brother Francisco. Born on March 5, 1910, in Aljustrel, Portugal, Jacinta was known for her sweet and affectionate nature.

Key Events in Her Life
Apparitions: Jacinta, along with her brother and cousin, reported seeing the Virgin Mary on several occasions in Cova da Iria, Fátima. These apparitions emphasized the need for prayer, penance, and conversion1.

Suffering and Sacrifice: Jacinta was deeply affected by a vision of Hell shown to the children during the third apparition. This vision led her to practice stringent self-mortifications and to have a strong desire to save sinners through penance and sacrifice.

Illness and Death: Jacinta fell ill with the Spanish flu in 1918 and suffered greatly. She passed away on February 20, 1920, at the age of nine.

Canonization
Jacinta, along with her brother Francisco, was canonized by Pope Francis on May 13, 2017, the centennial of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima. She is the youngest non-martyred saint in the Catholic Church1.

Legacy
Saint Jacinta’s life is a testament to her deep faith and commitment to the messages of Fátima. Her story continues to inspire many, especially children and young people, to live a life of prayer and sacrifice.


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