Prayer Before Mass Prayer After Mass
 September, 2007 November, 2007

October

30 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
 
 
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Amos 6:1, 4-7
Psalm 146:7-10
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31

You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God.

-- St. John Vianney

Monday, October 1, 2007
St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Zechariah 8:1-8
Psalm 102:16-21, 29, 22-23
Luke 9:46-50

Alms are an inheritance and a justice which is due to the poor and which Jesus has levied upon us.

-- St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Guardian Angels (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Exodus 23:20-23
Psalm 91:1-6, 10-11
Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

-- 1 Peter 1:13-16

Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Nehemiah 2:1-8
Psalm 137:1-6
Luke 9:57-62

In the remotest part of a wild and stony desert, burnt up with the heat of the scorching sun so that it frightens even the monks that inhabit it, I seemed to myself to be in the midst of the delights and crowds of Rome. In exile and prison to which for the fear of hell I had voluntarily condemned myself, I many times imagined myself witnessing the dancing of the Roman maidens as if I had been in the midst of them: in my cold body and in my parched-up flesh, which seemed dead before its death, passion able to live. Alone with this enemy, I threw myself in spirit at the feet of Jesus, watering them with my tears, and I tamed my flesh by fasting whole weeks. I am not ashamed to disclose my temptations, but I grieve that I am not now what I then was.

-- From St. Jerome's letter to St. Eustochium

Thursday, October 4, 2007
St. Francis of Assisi, Deacon, Religious, Founder of the Three Orders (Solemnity)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Sirach 50:1-1, 3-4, 6-7
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11
Galatians 6:14-18
Matthew 11:25-30

Mary "remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin"

-- St. Augustine, Sermon 186

Friday, October 5, 2007
St. Faustina, Virgin (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Baruch 1:15-22
Psalm 79:1-5, 8-9
Luke 10:13-16

And when you have fulfilled in turn the duty of praise and of humility, then ask for what you ought to ask for; not for riches, not for the glory of this earth, not for health of body: for He made you and your health is in His care, and He knows which state is profitable to each one, to be healthy or to be infirm. He will provide for your body's needs.

-- St. Basil the Great

Saturday, October 6, 2007
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Psalm 69:33-37
Luke 10:17-24

Chastity is the lily among virtues and makes men almost equal to angels.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Sunday, October 7, 2007
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Luke 17:5-10

Do not condemn, even with your eyes, for they are often deceived.

-- St. John Climacus

Monday, October 8, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Jonah 1:1  -- 2:2, 11
Jonah 2:3-5, 8
Luke 10:25-37

To love God is something greater than to know Him.

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 130:1-4, 7-8
Luke 10:38-42

It is by humility that the Lord allows Himself to be conquered, so that He will do all we ask of Him.

-- St. Teresa of Avila

Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Jonah 4:1-11
Psalm 86:3-6, 9-10
Luke 11:1-4

What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He Caresses us, and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Thursday, October 11, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Malachi 3:13-20
Psalm 1:1-4, 6
Luke 11:5-13

My Jesus, how good it is to love you! Let me be like your disciples on Mount Tabor, seeing nothing else but you, my Savior. Let us be as two friends, neither of whom can bear to offend the other. Amen.

-- St. John Vianney

Friday, October 12, 2007
St. Seraphin of Montegranaro, Religious (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2
Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9
Luke 11:15-26

Be assured that abuses are done away with by teaching rather than by commanding. If we make threats, let it be done sorrowfully, in the words of Scripture, and in terms of the world to come. In this way it is not we who are feared because of our power, but God because of our words.

-- St Augustine

Saturday, October 13, 2007
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Joel 4:12-21
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
Luke 11:27-28

Under the influence of fear, we bear the Cross of Christ with patience. Under the more inspiring influence of home, we carry the Cross with a firm and valiant heart. But under the consuming power of love, we embrace the Cross with ardor.

-- St Bernard

Sunday, October 14, 2007
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
2 Kings 5:14-17
Psalm 98:1-4
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Luke 17:11-19

As the result of sin, the virtues have become painful to us; we shrink from them because they mean humiliation and suffering. "You do not want to be humiliated?" Humiliation is an honor, suffering a joy, because Jesus Christ has placed in them true honor and true joy.

-- St Peter Emyard

Monday, October 15, 2007
St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin, Doctor of the Church (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 1:1-7
Psalm 98:1-4
Luke 11:29-32

The condemnation of those who know and yet do not apply their knowledge is the more severe, but even sin committed in ignorance is not without risk.

-- St. Basil the Great

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 1:16-25
Psalm 19:2-5
Luke 11:37-41

For it is in the liturgy, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, that "the work of our redemption is accomplished," and it is through the liturgy especially that the faithful are enabled to express in their lives and manifest to others the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church.

-- Sacrosanctum concilium

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 2:1-11
Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9
Luke 11:42-46

Remember, that the devil has only one door by which to enter the soul: the will. There are secret or hidden doors. Temptations, discouragement, and unrest are the wares offered by the enemy. Remember this: if the devil makes noise, it is a sign that he is still outside and not yet within. That which must terrify us is his peace and concord within the human soul

-- Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Thursday, October 18, 2007
St. Luke, Evangelist (Feast)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
2 Timothy 4:10-17
Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18
Luke 10:1-9

The air which we breathe, the bread which we eat, the heart which throbs in our bosoms, are not more necessary for man that he may live as a human being, than is prayer for the Christian that he may live as a Christian.

-- St. John Eudes

Friday, October 19, 2007
Saints Isaac Jogues and John de Brébeuf, Priests, Martyrs and Their Companions (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm 126:1-6
Matthew 28:16-20

My God, do Thou strengthen and increase my faith in Thy divinity that I may adore it, and love it, and confess it even at the peril of my own life; let me be only too happy if I should be called to shed my blood in defense of it.

-- St. Peter Eymard

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 4:13, 16-18
Psalm 105:6-9, 42-43
Luke 12:8-12

Remember that Jesus Christ, referring to the humility of the publican, said that his prayer was heard. If this was said of a man whose life was evil, what may we not hope for if we are really humble?

-- St. Vincent de Paul

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Timothy 3:14 -- 4:2
Luke 18:1-8

In prosperity, give thanks to God with humility and fear lest by pride you abuse God's benefits and so offend him.

-- St. Louis IX

Monday, October 22, 2007
St. Peter of Alcantara, Priest (Optional Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 4:20-25
St. Luke 1:69-75
Luke 12:13-21

To love God as He ought to be loved, we must be detached from all temporal love. We must love nothing but Him, or if we love anything else, we must love it only for His sake.

-- St. Peter Claver

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
St. John of Capistrano, OFM, Priest (Memorial)
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19, 20-21
Psalm 40:7-10, 17
Luke 12:35-38

No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one. The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognized by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end.

-- St. Ignatius

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 6:12-18
Psalm 124:1-8
Luke 12:39-48

The most astonishing thing was that there were actually saints there, even ones who were beatified, who were passing through Purgatory. St. Severinus, Archbishop of Cologne, appeared to one of his friends a long time after his death and told him that he had been in Purgatory for having deferred to the evening the prayers he should have said in the morning. Oh! What years of Purgatory will there be for those Christians who have no difficulty at all in deferring their prayers to another time on the excuse of having to do some pressing work! If we really desired the happiness of possessing God, we should avoid the little faults as well as the big ones, since separation from God is so frightful a torment to all these poor souls!

-- Sermon on Purgatory by Saint John Vianney

Thursday, October 25, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 6:19-23
Psalm 1:1-4, 6-6
Luke 12:49-53

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were alone in it. Then your heart will never be made captive by anything earthly thing.

-- St. John of the Cross

Friday, October 26, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 7:18-25
Psalm 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94
Luke 12:54-59

If you love me, follow me. "I do love you," you protest, "but how do I follow you?" If the Lord your God said to you: "I am the truth and the life, I laid down certain conditions for obtaining my promises. Have you fulfilled them?" If you say: "What did you command, Lord our God?" he will tell you: "I commanded you to follow me.". In your desire for truth, in your love for life, you would certainly ask him to show you the way to reach them. You would say to yourself: "Truth is a great reality, life is a great reality; if only it were possible for my soul to find them!"

-- St. Augustine

Saturday, October 27, 2007
Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 8:1-11
Psalm 24:1-6
Luke 13:1-9

The highest degree of meekness consists in seeing, serving, honoring, and treating amiably, on occasion, those who are not to our taste, and who show themselves unfriendly, ungrateful, and troublesome to us.

-- St. Francis de Sales

Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading:
Psalm:
Second Reading:
Gospel:
Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe

-- St. Augustine

Monday, October 29, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 8:12-17
Psalm 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21
Luke 13:10-17

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?

-- St. Gerard Majella

Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 8:18-25
Psalm 126:1-6
Luke 13:18-21

Grace can do nothing without the will and the will can do nothing without grace.

-- St. John Chrysostom

Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Feria
First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:
Romans 8:26-30
Psalm 13:4-6
Luke 13:22-30

Guard your eyes that they may not look upon anything contrary to purity; your ears, that they may not listen to evil conversation; your mind, by banishing from it all suggestive thoughts; your heart, by stifling impure desires at their very birth.

-- St. John Baptist de la Salle