Liturgical Calendar

Saint of the day

Saint Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

Saint Catherine of Genoa was beautiful, intelligent, and pious. She felt called to religious life, and attempted to enter a convent when she was 13. However, she was turned away because of her youth, and instead entered into an arranged marriage at the age of 16. She and her husband were unable to have children, and her husband soon became violent, unfaithful, and careless with their money. Catherine felt hopeless, and soon lost interest in her faith. While attending the Sacrament of Confession a while later, Catherine received a vision of God's love and her own sinfulness. She returned home renewed in her faith, and helped her husband let go of his self-destructive ways. The two lived chastely for the rest of their days, ministering to the sick and the poor. After her husband's death, Catherine became a Franciscan tertiary and recorded what she had seen and heard in her visions. Saint Catherine is the patroness against adultery, of childless people, and of widows.

Reflection

Saint Catherine worked hard to bring her husband to Christianity, even though he was a very cruel and unfaithful man. Do you work hard to love and share your faith with everyone, even those you do not like? Ask the Lord for the power to love everyone, even when they may seem unlovable.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for giving me the power to love and the spirit to love those who seem unlovable, even myself at times. Help me always to show your spirit of love and the power of that love to my friends and even to strangers. (Taken from “Good News Day by Day: Bible Reflections for Teens.”)

Meditations

Meditation for Reading 1

Catholic Christians believe that in the Eucharist, the Mass, the wine is changed into the blood of Christ and the bread into the body of Christ. This mystery is at the heart of our faith. When we celebrate this sacrament, we are connected with believers from centuries past, with believers today all over the world, and especially with the community with whom we are worshipping. We are fed spiritually to help us live the way we are called to live as followers of Christ. We hear the Scriptures and are fed. We receive Christ's body and blood and are fed. This food changes us and makes us strong. Resolve to attend Mass this weekend. Really listen to what you hear and what you pray in the prayers. Allow yourself to believe that you are fed in the Eucharist. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)

Meditation for Gospel

When the holy man Simeon said these words to Mary, Jesus was just a tiny child. We know that his words came true when Mary witnessed the pain and suffering Jesus endured later in life. She was a strong woman to endure all that she did as the mother of Jesus. Parents who are watching their children go through difficult times have a special kinship with Mary. The Catholic Church proclaims Mary as the spiritual mother of all believers. We can go to her to experience her loving care for us and to ask for her strength to hold us up when we have our own kinds of pain. Before you go to sleep tonight, put all your problems in Mary's care. Ask her to be with all those in the world who are suffering tonight, as she was with her own Son in his suffering. (Taken from “Take Ten – Daily Bible Reflections for Teens”)