Prayer Before Mass Prayer After Mass
 July, 2009 September, 2009 

August

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30 31 1 2 3 4 5

 
Saturday, August 1, 2009
St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Leviticus 25:1, 8-17
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
Matthew 14:1-12

Know that the experience of pain is something so noble and precious that the Divine Word, who enjoyed the abundant riches of Paradise, yet, because He was not clothed with this ornament of sorrow, came down from Heaven to seek it upon the earth.

-- St Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi

Sunday, August 2, 2009
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
John 6:24-35

A man who fails to love the Mass fails to love Christ. We must make an effort to "live" the Mass with calm and serenity, with devotion and affection. And this is why I have always suspected that those who want the Mass to be over with quickly show, with this insensitive attitude, that they have not yet realized what the sacrifice of the altar means.

-- St. Josemarķa Escriva de Balaguer

Monday, August 3, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Numbers 11:4-15
Psalm 81:12-17
Matthew 14:13-21

Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.

-- St Clare of Assisi

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
St. John Mary Vianney, Priest (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Numbers 12:1-13
Psalm 51:3-7, 12-13
Matthew 14:22-36

When we must do something we dislike, let us say to God, " My God I offer You this in honor of the moment when You died for me."

-- St. John Vianney

Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Numbers 13:1-2, 25 -- 14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Psalm 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23
Matthew 15:21-28

Mary was raised to the dignity of Mother of God rather for sinners than for the just, since Jesus Christ declares that he came to call not the just, but sinners.

-- St. Anselm

Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Transfiguration of the Lord (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
Mark 9:2-10

Accept as blessings the casualties that befall you, assured that nothing happens without God.

-- Didache 3:10

Friday, August 7, 2009
Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Psalm 77:12-16, 21
Matthew 16:24-28

With supernatural intuition, Blessed Josemaria untiringly preached the universal call to holiness and apostolate. Christ calls everyone to become holy in the realities of everyday life. Hence work too is a means of personal holiness and apostolate, when it is done in union with Jesus Christ.

-- Pope John Paul II at the beatification of Josemaria Escriva

Saturday, August 8, 2009
Holy Father Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
2 Timothy 4:1-5
Psalm 37:3-6, 30-31
Matthew 5:13-16

Although her constitution was very frail, her spirit was endowed with such singular strength that, knowing the will of God in her regard, she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond her strength.

-- Pope Pius XII at the canonization of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Sunday, August 9, 2009
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:2-9
Ephesians 4:30 -- 5:2
John 6:41-51

God bestows more consideration on the purity of the intention with which our actions are performed than on the actions themselves.

-- St. Augustine

Monday, August 10, 2009
St. Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-9
John 12:24-26

If you commit any sin, repent of it at once and resolve to amend. If it is a grievous sin, confess it as soon as possible.

-- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Tuesday, August 11, 2009
St. Clare of Assisi, Virgin, Foundress of II Order (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 or 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18
Psalm 45:11-12, 14-16
John 15:4-10

We need not fear to be puffed with the knowledge of what God has done for us, if we keep well before us the truth that whatever good there may be in us, is not of us. Though a mule is laden with the precious treasures of a prince, is it not still a clumsy, filthy beast?

-- St. Francis de Sales

Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 66:1-3, 5, 8, 16-17
Matthew 18:15-20

It is God's way to give much for little. Our Lord does not attend to how much we give, but to the generosity of our will, and for this very reason He makes much of a little.

-- St. John Chrysostom

Thursday, August 13, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Joshua 3:7-11, 13-17
Psalm 114:1-6
Matthew 18:21 -- 19:1

To be removed from things of the senses is to contemplate things of the spirit.

-- St. John Climacus

Friday, August 14, 2009
St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest, Martyr (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 John 3:13-18
Psalm 116:10-13, 16-17
John 15:12-17

The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath sent me to heal the contrite of heart,

-- Luke iv. 18

Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Psalm 45:10-12, 16
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56

O Holy Mary! My Mother; into thy blessed trust and special custody, and into the bosom of thy mercy, I this day, and every day, and in the hour of my death, commend my soul and body. To thee I commit all my anxieties and sorrows, my life and the end of my life, that by thy most holy intercession, and by thy merits, all my actions may be directed and governed by thy will and that of thy Son.

-- St. Aloysius Gonzaga

Sunday, August 16, 2009
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:2-7
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

God does not command us to live in hair shirts and chains, or to chastise our flesh with scourges, but to love Him above all things and our neighbor as ourselves.

-- St Charles of Sezze

Monday, August 17, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Judges 2:11-19
Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43-44
Matthew 19:16-22

It often happens that we pray God to deliver us from some dangerous temptation, and yet God does not hear us but permits the temptation to continue troubling us. In such a case, let us understand that God permits even this for our greater good. When a soul in temptation recommends itself to God, and by His aid resists, O how it then advances in perfection.

-- St. Alphonsus Liguori

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Judges 6:11-24
Psalm 85:9, 11-14
Matthew 19:23-30

How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! My soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.

-- Psalm lxxxiii. 2,3

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
St. Louis, Bishop (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Psalm 23:1-6
John 10:11-16

We must love our neighbor as being made in the image of God and as an object of His love.

-- St. Vincent de Paul

Thursday, August 20, 2009
St. Bernard, Abbot, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Judges 11:29-39
Psalm 40:5, 7-10
Matthew 22:1-14

When we hear heretical voices about us..., when we see that the sanctity of marriage and the priesthood are attacked without fear of rebuke, have confidence, for the Holy Church is incorruptible.

-- St Augustine

Friday, August 21, 2009
St. Pius X, Pope (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22
Psalm 146:5-10
Matthew 22:34-40

And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed. I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved.

-- Psalm cxviii. 46,47

Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Isaiah 9:1-6
Psalm 113:1-8
Luke 1:26-38

A pure soul is like a fine pearl. As long as it is hidden in the shell at the bottom of the sea, no one thinks of admiring it. But if you bring it into the sunshine, this pearl will shine and attract all eyes. Thus, the pure soul which is hidden from the eyes of the world, will one day shine before the angels in the sunshine of eternity.

-- St. John Vianney

Sunday, August 23, 2009
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 34:2-3, 16-21
Ephesians 5:21-32 or 5:2, 25-32
John 6:60-69

But since all your satisfactions and penances are too small and deficient to atone for so many sins, unite them to those of your Savior Jesus lifted upon the Cross. Receive his Divine Blood as it flows from His wounds, and offer It up to appease Divine justice. Unite your reparation to that of the most Blessed Virgin at the foot of the Cross and from the love of Jesus for His Mother, you will obtain everything.

-- St Peter Julian Eymard

Monday, August 24, 2009
St. Bartholomew, Apostle (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Revelation 21:9-14
Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18
John 1:45-51

For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.

-- St. Athanasius, De incarnatione

Tuesday, August 25, 2009
St. Louis IX of France, King, Patron of the Third Order (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Wisdom 10:10-14
Psalm 89:8, 12, 20, 22, 27-28
Luke 19:12-19

Do not grieve over the temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and a promise by God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast.

-- St. Philip Neri

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Psalm 139:7-12
Matthew 23:27-32

He who would climb to a lofty height must go by steps, not leaps.

-- Pope St. Gregory the Great

Thursday, August 27, 2009
St. Monica (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 Thessalonians 3:7-13
Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17
Matthew 24:42-51

Our love for the Blessed Sacrament should be carried to the highest degree: the highest degree of love and adoration is the silence which prays and pours itself out in adoration before the grandeur of a hidden God.

-- St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier

Friday, August 28, 2009
St. Augustine, Bishop, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12
Matthew 25:1-13

But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me.

-- St. Augustine, Contra epistolam Manichaei

Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Jeremiah 1:17-19
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
Mark 6:17-29

With regard to doing the will of the Lord, even if someone should be scandalized by what we do, we must not let that hamper our freedom of action.

-- St. Basil the Great

Sunday, August 30, 2009
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8
Psalm 15:2-5
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The denial of personal guilt makes men ready to surrender their liberty. Better it is for a man to realize he has evil tendencies which must be fought and combated in order that his higher self may emerge.

-- Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Monday, August 31, 2009
Weekday
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 11-13
Matthew 25:1-13

The Lord measures our perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them.

-- St. John of the Cross

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