Saint Angela Merici, Virgin
Optional Memorial
January 27th
traditional holy card
St. Angela (1470-1540) was born in northern Italy. In 1535, she founded the Order of Ursulines, the first women's teaching order approved by the Church. Italy then was rife with violence and immorality. St. Angela believed that the formation of Christian women in society's greatest need.
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
May the Virgin Saint Angela never fail to commend us
to your compassion, O Lord, we pray,
that, following the lessons of her charity and prudence,
we may hold fast to your teaching
and express it in what we do.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.
First Reading: 1 Peter 4:7b-11
Keep sane and sober for your prayers. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:34b-37
On the way [to Capernaum] they [the disciples] had discussed with one another who was the greatest. And He [Jesus] sat down and called the twelve; and He said to them, "If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." And He took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."