Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Biographical Information about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
Outside the United States where this memorial is optional, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary (USCCB recommends: #42. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians).
Outside the United States where this memorial is optional, an optional memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary is allowed. [1] Mass texts may be taken from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a Votive Mass, or from the special collection of Masses for the Blessed Virgin Mary (USCCB recommends: #42. The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians).
“Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini” photographer and date are unknown |
Readings for Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time [2]
and the night in its swift course was half spent,
Your all-powerful word, from heaven’s royal throne
bounded, a fierce warrior, into the doomed land,
bearing the sharp sword of your inexorable decree.
And as he alighted, he filled every place with death;
he still reached to heaven, while he stood upon the earth.
serving its natural laws,
that your children might be preserved unharmed.
The cloud overshadowed their camp;
and out of what had before been water, dry land was seen emerging:
Out of the
and a grassy plain out of the mighty flood.
Over this crossed the whole nation sheltered by your hand,
after they beheld stupendous wonders.
For they ranged about like horses,
and bounded about like lambs,
praising you, O Lord! their deliverer.
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Commentary on Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9
This selection from the Book of Wisdom speaks first of the bondage and death the Hebrews suffered in Egypt. There is a specific intent in this section (called the fifth diptych) to relate the Egyptian massacre of the infants born to the Hebrews, with the tenth plague in which the first sons of Egypt were killed. The image presented is inspired by Exodus 12:23, Job 4 13-15, and 1 Chronicles 21:15-27.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
R. Alleluia.
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the LORD!
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
the first fruits of all their manhood.
And he led them forth laden with silver and gold,
with not a weakling among their tribes.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
to his servant Abraham.
And he led forth his people with joy;
with shouts of joy, his chosen ones.
R. Remember the marvels the Lord has done!
or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 105:2-3, 36-37, 42-43
This passage from Psalm 105 focuses on the part of the exodus story that deals with the final plague in Egypt. Praise and gratitude flow from those who have seen God’s great works of salvation.
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Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.
He said, “There was a judge in a certain town
who neither feared God nor respected any human being.
And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,
‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’
For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,
‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,
because this widow keeps bothering me
I shall deliver a just decision for her
lest she finally come and strike me.’”
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.
Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones
who call out to him day and night?
Will he be slow to answer them?
I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.
But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
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Commentary on Lk 18:1-8
This is the first of two parables on the need for prayer found in St. Luke’s Gospel. In this selection, the Lord tells the disciples of the need for persistent prayer so they do not fall victim to apostasy. He assures them that God, the just judge, will listen to their prayers, and come speedily to their aid in times of need.
The question at the end of the parable (“But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”) completes a thought in Luke 17:37, which relates the relationship of the faithful to God at the final judgment.
CCC: Lk 18:1-8 2573, 2613; Lk 18:1 2098; Lk 18:8 675
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Reflection:
The parable from St. Luke’s Gospel on the need for the disciples to pray constantly has a sort of “folksy” ring to it. It demonstrates a relationship to God that is at once very personal and at the same time respectful. The dishonest judge from the parable would have rendered a judgment in favor of the widow had she been able to bribe him. As the story goes, he renders that judgment because of her persistence. Jesus uses this story as a contrast rather than an example of the effect our constant prayers have on the “Just Judge.” The dishonest judge delayed in rendering judgment. Jesus tells the disciples that the Father will act quickly to answer the prayers of his children.
[1] General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar Miscellaneous Notes no. 5
[2] The picture is “Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini.” The photographer and date are unknown.
[3] S.S. Commemoratio
[4] The readings are taken from the New American Bible, with the exception of the psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
[5] Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, © 2010, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA. p. 140.
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