Universal Roman Catholic Faith and Traditions

Saint Raymond Nonnatus First Reading: Colossians 1: 1-8 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 52: 10-11 Holy Gospel: Luke 4:38-44 Holy Gospel: 38  Leaving the synagogue, Jesus went to the house of Simon. His mother-in-law was suffering from high fever and they asked him to do something for her. 39  Bending over her, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and waited on them. 40  At sunset, people suffering from many kinds of sickness were brought to Jesus. Laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41  Demons were driven out, howling as they departed from their victims, “You are the Son of God!” He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, for they knew he was the Messiah. 42  Jesus left at daybreak and looked for a solitary place. People went out in search of him and, finding him, they tried to dissuade him from leaving. 43  But he said, “I have to go to other towns to announce the good news of the kingdom of God. That is what I was sent to do.” 44  So

Saint Rumon First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Holy Gospel: Luke 4:31-37 Holy Gospel: 31  Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and began teaching the people at the sabbath meetings. 32  They were astonished at the way he taught them, for his word was spoken with authority. 33  In the synagogue there was a man possessed by an evil spirit who shouted in a loud voice, 34  “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I recognize you: you are the Holy One of God.” 35  Then Jesus said to him sharply, “Be silent and leave this man!” The evil spirit then threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him harm. 36  Amazement seized all these people and they said to one another, “What does this mean? He commands the evil spirits with authority and power. He orders, and you see how they come out!” 37  And news about Je­sus spread through­out the surrounding area. First

Saint Sabina , Martyr First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17 Holy Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 Holy Gospel: 17 For this is what had happened. Herod had ordered John to be arrested and had him bound and put in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. Herod had married her 18 and John had told him, “It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias held a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she could not 20 because Herod respected John. He knew John to be an upright and holy man and kept him safe. And he liked listening to him, although he became very disturbed whenever he heard him. 21 Herodias had her chance on Herod’s birthday, when he gave a dinner for all the senior government officials, military chiefs and the leaders of Galilee. 22 On that occasion the daughter of Herodias came in and danced; and she delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask

St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo , Son of Saint Monica First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Second Reading: Romams 12:1-2 Holy Gospel: Matthew 16: 21-27 Holy Gospel: 21  From that day Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem; he would suffer many things from the Jewish authorities, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and be raised on the third day. 22  Then Peter took him aside and began to reproach him, “Never, Lord! No, this must never happen to you.” 23  But Jesus turned to him and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path. You are thinking not as God does, but as people do.” Second Reading: 1  I beg you, dearly beloved, by the mercy of God, to give yourselves as a living and holy sacrifice pleasing to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people.   2  Don’t let yourselves be shaped by the world where you live, but rather be transf

Saint Monica , Mother of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo First Reading:  1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 7-8, 9 Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 Holy Gospel: 14 Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. 15 He gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a third, each one according to his ability; and he went away. 16 He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. 17 The one who received two did the same and gained another two. 18 But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. 20 The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying: ‘Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five more with them.’ 21 The master answered: ‘Very well, good and faithful servant, since you ha

Saints Joachim and Ann , Parents of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary First Reading: Sirach 44: 1, 10-15 Responsorial Psalm: 132: 11, 13-14, 17-18 Holy Gospel: Matthew 13: 16-17 Holy Gospel: 16  But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears, because they hear. 17  For I tell you that many prophets and upright people would have longed to see the things you see, but they did not, and to hear the things you hear, but they did not hear it. First Reading: 1  Let us now glorify illustrious men, the ancestors of our peo­ple. 10  But now consider the godly men whose good deeds have not been forgotten. 11  Those who came after them benefited from the rich legacy they left; 12  their race remained faithful to the Covenant, their children followed their ex­ample. 13  Their family will endure forever and never will its glory be tarnished. 14  Their bodies were buried in peace but their memory lives through generations. 15  Peo­ple will speak of their wisdom and the assembl

Saint Louis King of France First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3: 7-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90: 3-5, 12-13, 14, 17 Holy Gospel: Matthew 24: 42-51   Holy Gospel: 42  Stay awake, then, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43  Just think about this: if the owner of the house knew that the thief would come by night around a certain hour, he would stay awake to prevent his house to be broken into. 44  So be alert, for the Son of Man will come at the hour you least expect. 45  Imagine a capable servant whom his mas­ter has put in charge of his household to give them food at the proper time. 46  Fortunate indeed is that servant whom his master will find at work when he comes. 47  Truly, I say to you, his lord will en­trust that one with everything he has. 48  Not so with the bad servant who thinks: My mas­ter is delayed. 49  And he begins ill-treating his fellow servants while eating and drinking with drunkards. 50  But his master will come on the day he does not k

Saint Nathanael Bartholomew, Apostle First Reading: Revelations 21: 9-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145: 10-12, 12-13, 17-18 Holy Gospel: John 1: 45-51   Holy Gospel: 45  Philip found Natha­nael and said to him, “We have found the one that Moses wrote about in the Law, and the prophets as well: he is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” 46  Nathanael replied, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47  When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him, “Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.” 48  Nathanael asked him, “How do you know me?” And Jesus said to him, “Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you.” 49  Nathanael answered, “Master, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50  But Jesus replied, “You believe because I said: ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that. 51  Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels o

Saint Rose of Lima, Peru First Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Responsorial Psalm: 139: 1-3, 4-6 Holy Gospel: Matthew 23: 23-26 Holy Gospel: 23  Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You do not for­get the mint, anise and cumin seeds when you pay the tenth of everything, but then you forget what is most fundamental in the Law: justice, mercy and faith. These you must practice, without neglecting the others. 24  Blind guides! You strain out a mosquito, but swallow a camel. 25  Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You fill the plate and the cup with theft and violence, and then pronounce a blessing over them. 26  Blind Pharisee! Purify the inside first, then the outside too will be purified. First Reading: 1  You well know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not in vain. 2  We had been ill-treated and insulted in Philippi but, trusting in our God, we dared announce to you the message of God, and face fresh oppo

Mary, The Queen of All Heaven and Earth Do you ever wonder why the Most Blessed Virgin Mary is clothed with golden adoration, and a crown so elegant? It is because she is a Queen in Heaven, paying honor to the devoted Mother to Her Son. Moreover, we, the Roman Catholic brethren, intended the 22nd of August in celebration of the Feast of the Queenship of the Virgin Mary. 1 To commemorate this very special day intended to Mary, Marian devotees are putting crowns upon Her images to value the power that the Virgin Mary had, and the undying dignity that transcends space and time. In accordance with the unshakable faith that we possess, we all are fully aware that Jesus Christ, King of Zion, is also the King of Earth and Heaven even if the world we are living right now is turned upside down. With this, it is just right for His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary to be sharing the title up above. Behind the Lord Jesus’ omniscient power and redemption He has been giving to all who believes, t

Has the time told us about our Holy Ethereal King; And so as the hailed Royal Queen, His Bearer. Love was one, and only one to cling, The Mother of All has offered Her Holy Ring. "The Birth of Our Exalted Queen, The Birthgiver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary”, Feasted, acclaimed and celebrated as one, Of the ten and two liturgies traced on the East. Bettered the world by bearing the Holy Child of the Heavens, Unleashed the goodness, triumphed the mercy and proclaimed the power God has entrusted upon her acclaimed purity. That is how, that is why, that is Mary, Fragile is the faith of men to whom one should be faithful to, Forgiveness, riposte of the Heavenly Mother to you. Ferocious are those who believe in Her power, Rewarded are those who stay in her cradle with honor. In the length of years to come and to be counted as undefined; In the span of over a handfuls of temptations and lures; In the moments of solitary submission to earthly works; Mary, the Mother

Queenship of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Holy Gospel: Luke 1: 26-38 Holy Gospel: 26  In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent 27  to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28   The angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you.” 29  Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean. 30  But the angel said, “Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. 31  You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. 32  He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob for­­ever 33  and his reign shall have no end.” 34  Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be if I am a virgin

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Isaiah 22: 19-23 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 Second Reading: Romans 11:33-36 Holy Gospel: Matthew 16: 13-20 Holy Gospel: 13 After that Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of man is?” 14 They said, “For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” 16 Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “It is well for you, Simon Bar¬jona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. 18 And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.” 20 Then h

Saint Bernard First Reading: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11, 4:13-17 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128:1-2,3,4,5 Holy Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 Holy Gospel: • 1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: • 2 “The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sat on the seat of Moses. 3 So you shall do and observe all they say, but do not do as they do, 4 for they do not do what they say. They tie up heavy burdens and load them on the shoulders of the people, but they do not even raise a finger to move them. 5 They do everything in order to be seen by people; so they wear very wide bands of the Law around their foreheads, and robes with large tassels. 6 They enjoy the first place at feasts and reserved seats in the synagogues, 7 and being greeted in the marketplace and being called ‘Master’ by the people. 8 But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. 9 Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you h

Saint John Eudes First Reading: Ruth 1: 1,3-6, 14-16,22 Responsorial Psalm: 146: 5-6, 6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Holy Gospel: Matthew 22: 34-40 Holy Gospel: 34  When the Pharisees heard how Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they came together. 35  One of them, a teacher of the Law, tried to test him with this question, 36  “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the Law?” 37  Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. 38  This is the first and the most important of the commandments. 39  But after this there is another one very similar to it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40  The whole Law and the Prophets are founded on these two commandments.” First Reading: 1  There was a famine in the  land during the time of the Jud­­ges, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah departed with his wife and two sons to sojourn in the country of Moab. 3  Naomi’s husband Elimelech died. She was left with

Saint Helena , Discoverer of the True Cross First Reading: Judges 11: 29-39 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 40:5, 7-8, 8-9, 10 Holy Gospel: Matthew 22: 1-14   Holy Gospel: 1  Jesus went on speaking to them in parables: 2  “This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A king celebrated the wedding of his son. 3  He sent his servants to call the invited guests to the wedding feast, but the guests refused to come. 4  Again he sent other servants ordering them to say to the invited guests: ‘I have prepared a banquet, slaughtered my fattened calves and other animals, and now everything is ready; come then, to the wedding feast.’ 5  But they paid no attention and went away, some to their fields, and others to their work. 6  While the rest seized the ser­vants of the king, insulted them and killed them. 7  The king became angry. He sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. 8  Then he said to his servants: ‘The wedding banquet is prepared, but the invited gues

Saint Clare of Montefalco First Reading: Judges 9:6-15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 21:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Holy Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Holy Gospel: 1  This story throws light on the kingdom of heaven. A landowner went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2  He agreed to pay the workers a salary of a silver coin for the day, and sent them to his vineyard. 3  He went out again at about nine in the morning, and seeing others idle in the square, 4  he said to them: ‘You, too, go to my vineyard and I will pay you what is just.’ So they went. The owner went out at midday and again at three in the afternoon, 5  and he did the same. 6  Finally he went out at the last working hour – it was the eleventh – and he saw others standing there. So he said to them: ‘Why do you stay idle the whole day?’ 7  They answered: ‘Because no one has hired us.’ The master said: ‘Go and work in my vine­yard.’ 8  When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager: ‘Call the worker

Saint Stephen the Great, Patron Saint of Hungary First Reading: Judges 6:11-24 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9, 11-12, 13-14 Holy Gospel: Matthew 19:23-30   Holy Gospel 23  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24  Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” 25  On hearing this the disciples were astonished and said, “Who, then, can be saved?” 26  Jesus looked steadily at them and answered, “For humans it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27  Then Peter spoke up and said, “You see we have given up everything to follow you: what will be our lot?” 28  Jesus answered, “You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renew­al, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve tribes of Israel. 29  As for those who h

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary First Reading: 1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16 Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 Holy Gospel: Luke 11:27-28 Holy Gospel:  27  As Jesus was s peaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to him, “Blessed is the one who bore you and nursed you!” 28  Jesus replied, “Surely blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it as well.” Second Reading: 54  When our perishable being puts on imperishable life, when our mortal being puts on immortality, the word of Scripture will be fulfilled: Death has been swallowed up by victory. 55  Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? 56  Sin is the sting of death to kill, and the Law is what gives force to sin. 57  But give thanks to God who gives us the victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord. First Reading: 3  Then David gathered all Israel together in Jerusalem to bring the ark of God up to the pl

Keeping our Faith through Commemorating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary “ A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain, looking to her time of delivery.” (Revelations 12:1-2) 1 We Christians have always been grateful to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. She is the utmost paradigm of a woman so pure and divine. In the very essence of Our Lord Jesus’ salvation from the original debauchery tainted with ignominy and malevolence brought forth by Adam and Eve, there is a Woman behind Him, and that was the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. With these utter Christian qualities, it is very much rightful indeed that Catholics have intended a day for Her to commemorate Her assumption to Heaven and Her irrevocable and ethereal responsibilities for Her Son. And so, August 15 marks the Assumption of the Most Bless