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Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Thursday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/5/21 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23

Memorial of St. John Baptist Vianney, 1786-1859; ordained because of his goodness, even though he had difficulty with his studies; as Curé d’Ars, he was known to spend sixteen to 18 hours per day hearing confessions; patron of all priests Wednesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/4/21 Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28

Tuesday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Lydia Purpuraria, First Century; born at Thyatira in Asia Minor, a town famous for its dye works; Lydia was a seller of purple goods; she was Paul’s first convert at Philippi, baptized with her household; Paul stayed at her home Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/3/21 Gospel: Matthew 14:22-36

Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Eusebius of Vercelli, 300-371; first recorded bishop of Vercelli; attempted to mitigate the Catholic-Arian disagreement, but was exiled to Palestine, then to Asia Minor, and Egypt; was finally allowed to return to Vercelli Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/2/21 Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 8/1/21 Gospel: John 6:24-35

Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556; while recovering from a war injury, he read a life of Christ and lives of the saints, and began his conversion; at the age of 43, he and six others began the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits; his spiritual life was centered on the essential foundations of Christianity–the Trinity, Christ, and the Eucharist Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/31/21 Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memoral of St. Peter Chrysologus, 380-450; called “Chrysologus,” or “golden-worded,” because his oratorical eloquence; appointed bishop of Ravenna in 433; ruled his flock with diligence and care, and got rid of the last vestiges of paganism and other abuses Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/30/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Memorial of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus; formerly the Memorial of St. Martha, changed in 2021 to reflect the love between Jesus and all three siblings Thursday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/29/21 Gospel: John 11:19-27

Wednesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: Pope St. Innocent I, 378-417; emphasized papal supremacy; favored clerical celibacy; fought the unjust removal of St. John Chrysostom Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/28/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:44-46

Tuesday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Saints Natalie and Aurelius; Aurelius was raised a Christian in secret, during Moorish persecution; he married a half-Moorish woman who took the name Natalie on her conversion; both were beheaded for practicing their religion openly, in 852 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/27/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:36-43

Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Monday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/26/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:31-35

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/25/21 Gospel: John 6:1-15

Saturday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Sharbel Makhlouf, 1828-1898; joined the Monastery of St. Maron at Annaya, Lebanon, at the age of 23; lived as a hermit from 1875 to his death; known for his holiness, and was sought out by people for blessings and prayers; followed a strict fast, and was devoted to the Blessed Sacrament Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/24/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30

Friday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Bridget of Sweden, 1303-1373; founded a monastery where the group eventualy became known as the Bridgetines; her pilgrimage to the Holy Land was marred by shipwreck and the of her son, and eventually led to her death Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/23/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:18-23

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene; among those who were assisting Jesus out of their own means; stood by the cross of Jesus with His mother; first witness to the Resurrection; the “apostle to the apostles”; died about 63 A.D. Thursday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/22/21 Gospel: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Wednesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, 1559-1619; Franciscan Capuchin known for his gift of languages, which allowed him to study the Bible in its original texts and preach to the Jews of Italy; elected minister general of the Capuchins in 1602; papal emissary and peacemaker Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/21/21 Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9

Tuesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris; sent by St. Peter to be bishop of Ravenna, and was exiled from the city three times by pagans; on his fourth return, he was martyred, in about 79 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/20/21 Gospel: Matthew 12:46-50

Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Macrina the Younger, 330-379; granddaughter of Macrina the Elder, sister of St. Basil, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Peter of Sebastea; formed a community, with her mother, of prayer and contemplation Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/19/21 Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/18/21 Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Carmelite Nuns of Compiegne; 16 Discalced Carmelite nuns were caught up in the French Revolution, were sentenced to death for practicing religious life, and were martyred on the guillotine Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/17/21 Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21