Memorial of Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church

First reading from the book of the prophet Zechariah 2: 5-9, 14-15

I, Zechariah, raised my eyes and looked:
there was a man with a measuring line in his hand.
I asked, “Where are you going?”
He answered, “To measure Jerusalem,
to see how great is its width and how great its length.”

Then the angel who spoke with me advanced,
and another angel came out to meet him and said to him,
“Run, tell this to that young man:
People will live in Jerusalem as though in open country,
because of the multitude of men and beasts in her midst.
But I will be for her an encircling wall of fire, says the LORD,
and I will be the glory in her midst.”

Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion!
See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD.
Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day,
and they shall be his people and he will dwell among you.

Responsorial Psalm

R.  The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Hear the word of the LORD, O nations,
proclaim it on distant isles, and say:
He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd guards his flock.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
The LORD shall ransom Jacob,
he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror.
Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion,
they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.
Then the virgins shall make merry and dance,
and young men and old as well.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.
R. The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Our Savior Christ Jesus destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 9: 43-45

While they were all amazed at his every deed,
Jesus said to his disciples,
“Pay attention to what I am telling you.
The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”
But they did not understand this saying;
its meaning was hidden from them
so that they should not understand it,
and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Jerome was a Latin Catholic priest, confessor, theologian, and historian, commonly known as Saint Jerome. He was born at Stridon, a village near Emona on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia. He is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin, and his commentaries on the Gospels.

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

First reading from the book of the prophet Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14

As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
His throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw

One like a son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
He received dominion, glory, and kingship;
nations and peoples of every language serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

or a reading from the book of Revelation

War broke out in heaven;
Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.
The dragon and its angels fought back,
but they did not prevail
and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is called the Devil and Satan,
who deceived the whole world,
was thrown down to earth,
and its angels were thrown down with it.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have salvation and power come,
and the Kingdom of our God
and the authority of his Anointed.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who accuses them before our God day and night.
They conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
Therefore, rejoice, you heavens,
and you who dwell in them.”

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 138

R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
“Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John 1: 47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
“Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.”
Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this.”
And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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WHO ARE THE ARCHANGELS? In Sacred Scripture we speak of seven archangels of which the best known are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Saint Michael is powerful, especially in the fight against evil. Saint Gabriel is a specialist in the field of communications and St. Raphael is so special, the protector of travelers, and to intercede for the sick. Saint Gabriel helps those who invoke the Holy Spirit. It is the angel of truth and no priest should let a day pass without asking for help. Raphael is the angel of healing. It archangel who helps priests as confessors and also penitents. Married people should pray for St. Raphael’s intercession.

The archangel St. Michael is the strongest angel against all kinds of evil. We often ask him to protect not only us, but also all the living and deceased members of our family.
Michael means “Who is like God?” It is the Archangel of light and fire; the head of the heavenly hosts. It is he who threw Lucifer from Heaven. For this reason, in Christian iconography, Saint Michael is portrayed as a strong young man, young and handsome, wearing armor. He is identified as the protector of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as patron of the Jewish nation.
Gabriel: His name etymologically means “strength of God” because he is thought to have fought with Jacob breaking his femur ( Gen. ch. 32). He appeared to Zechariah as “the one who is in the sight of God” (Lk 1: 19). He appeared to the Virgin Mary, announcing the birth of Jesus (Annunciation). For this he is considered the head of the ambassadors, and the Angel of Revelation. In Christian iconography, he is portrayed as young, elegant, majestic, dressed in rich robes. Frequently he is also portrayed on his knees in front of the Madonna with his arms crossed on his chest or holding a parchment, a scepter or a lily.
Raphael’s name means “God Heals” and is mentioned in the book of Tobit, and he accompanied Tobias on a trip to Mesopotamia to recover his father’s money, he freed Sara from a demon and he favored the marriage of Sara with Tobias. Saint Raphael is often regarded as the guardian angel par excellence, the head of the Guardian Angels, the Angel of Providence that watches over all mankind. Saint Raphael is often depicted in Christian iconography, along with the young Tobias and his dog, which accompanies faithfully and consistently. Saint Raphael is ‘identified as the patron saint of pilgrims, which means those who make a pilgrimage to a religious place or better yet, on their way to God. He is represented for this like a traveler who travels with his staff and sandals,

Do not forget that all the people with whom we relate have their guardian angel, that we can greet and invoke; especially the angels of our family members, who live in our homes with us. But of all the angels, we do not overlook the fact that the intercession of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is especially powerful. 

Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

First reading from the book of the prophet Haggai 1: 1-8

On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius,
The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai
to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel,
and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?

Now thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
You have sown much, but have brought in little;
you have eaten, but have not been satisfied;
You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated;
have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed;
And whoever earned wages
earned them for a bag with holes in it.

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
Consider your ways!
Go up into the hill country;
bring timber, and build the house
That I may take pleasure in it
and receive my glory, says the LORD.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 149

R.  The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 9: 7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest

First reading from the book of the prophet Ezra 9: 5-9

At the time of the evening sacrifice, I, Ezra, rose in my wretchedness,
and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees,
stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God.

I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you,
O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads
and our guilt reaches up to heaven.
From the time of our fathers even to this day
great has been our guilt,
and for our wicked deeds we have been delivered up,
we and our kings and our priests,
to the will of the kings of foreign lands,
to the sword, to captivity, to pillage, and to disgrace,
as is the case today.

“And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the LORD, our God,
who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place;
thus our God has brightened our eyes
and given us relief in our servitude.
For slaves we are, but in our servitude our God has not abandoned us;
rather, he has turned the good will
of the kings of Persia toward us.
Thus he has given us new life
to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins,
and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem.”

Responsorial Psalm

R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
He scourges and then has mercy;
he casts down to the depths of the nether world,
and he brings up from the great abyss.
No one can escape his hand.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Praise him, you children of Israel, before the Gentiles,
for though he has scattered you among them,
he has shown you his greatness even there.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
So now consider what he has done for you,
and praise him with full voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
and exalt the King of ages.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In the land of my exile I praise him
and show his power and majesty to a sinful nation.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones,
and may all of you praise his majesty.
Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.
R. Blessed be God, who lives for ever.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 9: 1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Tuesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

First reading from the book of the prophet Ezra 6: 7-8, 12, 14-20

King Darius issued an order to the officials
of West-of-Euphrates:
“Let the governor and the elders of the Jews
continue the work on that house of God;
they are to rebuild it on its former site.
I also issue this decree
concerning your dealing with these elders of the Jews
in the rebuilding of that house of God:
From the royal revenue, the taxes of West-of-Euphrates,
let these men be repaid for their expenses, in full and without delay.
I, Darius, have issued this decree;
let it be carefully executed.”

The elders of the Jews continued to make progress in the building,
supported by the message of the prophets,
Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo.
They finished the building according to the command
of the God of Israel
and the decrees of Cyrus and Darius
and of Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
They completed this house on the third day of the month Adar,
in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
The children of Israel–priests, Levites,
and the other returned exiles–
celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
For the dedication of this house of God,
they offered one hundred bulls,
two hundred rams, and four hundred lambs,
together with twelve he-goats as a sin-offering for all Israel,
in keeping with the number of the tribes of Israel.
Finally, they set up the priests in their classes
and the Levites in their divisions
for the service of God in Jerusalem,
as is prescribed in the book of Moses.

The exiles kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
The Levites, every one of whom had purified himself for the occasion,
sacrificed the Passover for the rest of the exiles,
for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 122

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 8: 19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

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Medjugorje message from the Queen of peace September 25, 2023

“Dear children! I am calling you to strong prayer. Modernism wants to enter into your thoughts and steal from you the joy of prayer and of meeting with Jesus. That is why, my dear little children, renew prayer in your families, so that my motherly heart may be joyful as in the first days, when I had chosen you, and day and night prayer resounded — and Heaven was not silent but abundantly bestowed peace and blessing on this place of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Monday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time

First reading from the book of the prophet Ezra 1: 1-6

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia,
in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah,
the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia
to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom,
both by word of mouth and in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia:
‘All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me,
and he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem,
which is in Judah.
Therefore, whoever among you belongs to any part of his people,
let him go up, and may his God be with him!
Let everyone who has survived, in whatever place he may have dwelt,
be assisted by the people of that place
with silver, gold, goods, and cattle,
together with free-will offerings
for the house of God in Jerusalem.'”

Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin
and the priests and Levites–
everyone, that is, whom God had inspired to do so–
prepared to go up to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
All their neighbors gave them help in every way,
with silver, gold, goods, and cattle,
and with many precious gifts
besides all their free-will offerings.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 126

R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done marvels for us.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 8: 16-18

Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 55: 6-9

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 145

R.  The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
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. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
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. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

Reading 2

Brothers and sisters:
Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh,
that means fruitful labor for me.
And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh
is more necessary for your benefit.

Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Open our hearts, O Lord,
to listen to the words of your Son.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 20: 1-16

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o’clock,
the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.’
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o’clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o’clock,
the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
‘Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.’
When those who had started about five o’clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
‘These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day’s burden and the heat.’
He said to one of them in reply,
‘My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?’
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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A miracle begun in Medjugorje

“ From the darkness of despair to the light of hope ”

Testimony of Joshua De Nicolò’s dad.
My name is Manuel De Nicolò and I live in Putignano, in the province of Bari, Italy. My wife Elizabeth and I were not practicing Catholics. We followed the Christian faith only by tradition.
Our son Joshua was less than 2 years old when on January 23, 2009 at the hospital of San Giovanni Rotondo they diagnosed him with a serious form of cancer: a mediastinal neuroblastoma between the heart and lungs, with bone marrow infiltration and skeletal metastases. There were a total of 22 tumors.

During the treatment at the pediatric oncology ward of San Giovanni Rotondo, which lasted 8 months, the baby had to undergo 80 cycles of chemotherapy, 17 radiotherapies under general anesthesia and an autotransplantation process requiring 11 chemotherapies in 4 days. But nevertheless, the doctors gave our son a grim prognosis, his life may only last weeks or maybe days.
So, taken by the blackest despair, we thought of bringing Joshua to Lourdes, the only Marian shrine I knew.
But one day, while we were in San Giovanni Rotondo, and in a moment of despair I went to the crypt of Padre and asked him hard-faced: “ Why my son? Give me a sign to hope again ”.


Then I went back to the hospital and while I was walking down the corridor of the ward, the monitor of a computer suddenly turned on, with the image of the face of the Madonna as its background. It was like a flash that deeply troubled me. When I entered the room I found my wife Elisabeth who told me that Joshua did not want to sleep, but thanks to Marian songs he had found serenity and calm. We inquired about the music that had made our son fall asleep. They were songs dedicated to the Madonna of Medjugorie.


We didn’t even know about the existence of a place called Medjugorje. But Our Lady called us there and immediately gave us another sign. Among the magazines scattered in the waiting room of the hospital there was a special of “ Today ” in which an article featured the Madonna who appears to 6 local children since 1981 and healing miracles.
After reading this article we decided to leave immediately. Doctors advised us against this trip because Joshua had very low blood platelets, around 5,000, but we were strongly determined. The day we left our son’s platelets mysteriously rose to 160,000.
So, in mid-June we left the hospital, and went home. A few days later we left for Medjugorje: for us it was a journey of hope. Arriving in Medjugorje, as soon as Joshua got off the bus, he seemed mysteriously attracted to the holiness of the place. Because of the tumors, Joshua could hardly walk anymore, but there he seemed to be a little better.

On July 2, 2009, in the early hours of the morning, we went to the foot of the Blue Cross where they told us that the Madonna would appear.
At 8 am Joshua was carried up in the arms by Paolo Brosio, a well-known television journalist, who also risked slipping on that stony path due to the mud from the rain.
Brosio set Joshua down right next to the Blue Cross where at 9 o’clock the visionary Mirjana would have the apparition of the Madonna. After the apparition, to our surprise, the boy began to feel even better, he seemed to feel no more pain.
But we had the surprise and greatest joy when we returned home.
Clinical tests showed that 19 tumors, scattered throughout the body, had disappeared and bone metastases were completely healed. Only the neuroblastoma remained behind the lungs, whose tumor mass, however, had decreased from 7.5 cm to 3 cm. It could, therefore, be surgically removed.
However, the doctors of San Giovanni Rotondo and also those of Milan did not want to carry out the removal operation of the neuroblastoma as they considered it too difficult and risky. Elizabeth and I no longer knew who to turn to.

But unexpectedly a mysterious man and an unknown woman advised us with great determination to have the operation performed in Florence. We made the necessary inquiries and the doctors were available.
And so, on November 17, 2009 we took Joshua to Florence where he underwent this difficult and delicate neuroblastoma removal surgery.
The intervention was perfectly successful and indeed the doctors say that in a certain sense it was itself a miracle because it took place inexplicably lasting less than 1 hour whereas normally this type of surgery lasts between 4 to 6 hours. After Joshua’s surgery, he had to be in recovery with oxygen, but here too it was miraculous because Joshua was there for less than half an hour because he woke up immediately and began to breathe without problems. For us, this intervention was a second miracle.
In Medjugorje, the visionary Mirjana invited us to always testify to our experience to help those who have lost hope, for non-believers and for those who frequent the Church by tradition and not by faith. And that’s what we try to do.
I would like to conclude by saying that each of us has his cross and often feels alone and abandoned. But if you entrust yourself to God and Our Lady for sure sooner or later something will happen that you do not expect and the darkness of despair will lead you to the light of hope.

Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

First reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 6: 13-16

Beloved:
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things,
and before Christ Jesus,
who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate
for the noble confession,
to keep the commandment without stain or reproach
until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ
that the blessed and only ruler
will make manifest at the proper time,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light,
and whom no human being has seen or can see.
To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 100

R.  Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Sing joyfully to the LORD all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Know that the LORD is God;
he made us, his we are;
his people, the flock he tends.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.
For he is good:
the LORD, whose kindness endures forever,
and his faithfulness, to all generations.
R. Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 8: 4-15

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another
journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.
“A sower went out to sow his seed.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled,
and the birds of the sky ate it up.
Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew,
it withered for lack of moisture.
Some seed fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew,
it produced fruit a hundredfold.”
After saying this, he called out,
“Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

Then his disciples asked him
what the meaning of this parable might be.
He answered,
“Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God
has been granted to you;
but to the rest, they are made known through parables
so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

“This is the meaning of the parable.
The seed is the word of God.
Those on the path are the ones who have heard,
but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts
that they may not believe and be saved.
Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear,
receive the word with joy, but they have no root;
they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.
As for the seed that fell among thorns,
they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along,
they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life,
and they fail to produce mature fruit.
But as for the seed that fell on rich soil,
they are the ones who, when they have heard the word,
embrace it with a generous and good heart,
and bear fruit through perseverance.”

THE Death of Padre Pio OF FATHER PIO – San Giovanni Rotondo ( Foggia ) By Padre Pellegrino Funicelli – Thus begins the story of the testimony of Father Pellegrino Funicelli, Friar Cappuccino who at the time of the tranquil death of Padre Pio was next to him. “Shortly after 9 pm on September 22, 1968, when Father Mariano had left cell no. 4 and I had entered, Padre Pio called me to his room via the intercom: he was in bed, lying on his right side.
He only asked me for the time marked by the alarm clock on his bedside table. From his red eyes I dried some small tears and went back to room no. 4 to listen on the intercom.
Padre Pio called me again five or six times until midnight; and he always had red eyes of tears, but of a sweet, serene cry.
At midnight as a scary child Padre Pio pleaded with me: ” Stay with me, my son “; and began to ask me very frequently for the time. He looked at me with eyes full of ’ pleading, shaking my hands tightly. Then, as if he had forgotten the time, continuously, he asked me: ” Uagliò, a company in Messe? “ I answered smiling: ” Spiritual father, it is too early now for Mass “. And he replied: ” Well, this morning you will say it for me “. And I: ” But every morning I say it according to your intentions “.
Later he wanted to confess and finished his sacramental confession he said: ” My son, if today the Lord calls me, ask for forgiveness for me from the confreres of all the annoyances that I have given; and ask the confreres and spiritual children for a prayer for ’my soul ‘“.
I replied: ” Spiritual father, I am sure that the Lord will make you live for a long time, but if you are right, I can ask you for a last blessing ’ for the confreres, for spiritual children and their sick? ”.
And he: ” Yes, I bless them all; on the contrary, ask the Superior to give this last blessing for me “. Finally he asked me to renew the ’ act of the religious profession’.
It was 1:00AM when he said to me: ” Look, my son, I am not breathing well here in bed. Let me get up. On the chair I will breathe better “One, two, three were usually the times when he used to get up to prepare for Holy Mass, and before sitting in the armchair he used to take four steps down the corridor. That night I noticed to my amazement that he walked straight like a young man, so much so that there was no need to support him. Arriving on the entrance of his cell he said: ” Let’s go a little out on the terrace “. I followed him holding his hand under his arm; he himself turned on the light and arrived near the armchair he sat down and looked around the terrace looking around: he seemed to be looking for something with his eyes. After five minutes he wanted to go back to the cell. I tried to lift him, but he said to me: “ I can’t do it.” In fact, he felt too weighed down. ” Spiritual father, don’t worry “, I said, encouraging him and immediately taking the wheelchair that was a stone’s throw away. From under his arms, I lifted him from the armchair and placed him to sit on the wheelchair. In the cell I placed Padre Pio on the armchair, he pointed to the wheelchair with his left hand and said to me: ” Take it out “.” Take it out “.” Take it out “.
Returning to the cell, I noticed that the Father was beginning to turn pale. On his forehead he had a cold sweat. I was frightened, however, when I saw that his lips were beginning to become bruised. And he repeated continually: ” Jesus, Mary ” with an increasingly weak voice. I moved to call a confrere, but he stopped me saying ” Don’t wake anyone up “. I started running away from his cell a few steps when he called me back again. And I thought he didn’t call me back to tell me the same thing I went back. But when I heard myself repeat: ” Do not wake anyone up “, I replied with an act of imploration: ” Spiritual father, now let me do ”.
And in a hurry I went to Father Mariano’s cell, but seeing the door of Fr. William open, I turned on the light and shook it: ” Padre Pio, he is sick.” In a moment Fr. William reached the Father’s cell and I ran to call Dr. Sala. He arrived after about ten minutes and as soon as he saw the Father he immediately prepared an injection. When everything was ready between William and I we tried to lift Padre Pio, but failing to do so we had to lay him on the bed: The doctor gave medicine while the Father repeated with an increasingly faint voice and with the movement of the lips more and more imperceptible: “ Jesus, Mary “.
Meanwhile, I called Mario Pennelli, nephew of Padre Pio, the health director of the Casa Sollievo Dr. Gusso, and Dr. Giovanni Scarale, Dr. Sala, the guardian father, the Marian father and other confreres had already arrived.
While doctors gave oxygen first with the cannula and then with the mask, Father Paolo da San Giovanni Rotondo administered to the spiritual Father the Sacrament of the Sick while the other confreres kneeled praying around his bed.
At about 2.30 am he gently bowed his head over his chest: he had expired.”

Father Pellegrino Capuchin Funicelli

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

First reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy 6: 2-12

Beloved:
Teach and urge these things.
Whoever teaches something different
and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the religious teaching
is conceited, understanding nothing,
and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes.
From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions,
and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds,
who are deprived of the truth,
supposing religion to be a means of gain.
Indeed, religion with contentment is a great gain.
For we brought nothing into the world,
just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it.
If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that.
Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires,
which plunge them into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is the root of all evils,
and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith
and have pierced themselves with many pains.

But you, man of God, avoid all this.
Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion,
faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
Compete well for the faith.
Lay hold of eternal life,
to which you were called when you made the noble confession
in the presence of many witnesses.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 49

R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Why should I fear in evil days
when my wicked ensnarers ring me round?
They trust in their wealth;
the abundance of their riches is their boast.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Yet in no way can a man redeem himself,
or pay his own ransom to God;
Too high is the price to redeem one’s life; he would never have enough
to remain alive always and not see destruction.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Fear not when a man grows rich,
when the wealth of his house becomes great,
For when he dies, he shall take none of it;
his wealth shall not follow him down.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Though in his lifetime he counted himself blessed,
“They will praise you for doing well for yourself,”
He shall join the circle of his forebears
who shall never more see light.
R. Blessed the poor in spirit; the Kingdom of heaven is theirs!

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Luke 8: 1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist

First reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters:
I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace:
one Body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the Body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of faith
and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,
to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 19

R.  Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

a reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”