by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 3, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT VERONICA
Psalter IV | GREEN
“According to Christian tradition, she was a woman from Jerusalem who was moved by pity to offer Jesus her veil to wipe his face as he carried the cross to Golgotha. The veil, miraculously, bore an imprint of Christ’s face.”
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17
King David said to Joab and the leaders of the army who were with him, “Tour all the tribes in Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba and register the people, that I may know their number.” Joab then reported to the king the number of people registered: in Israel, eight hundred thousand men fit for military service; in Judah, five hundred thousand. Afterward, however, David regretted having numbered the people, and said to the Lord: “I have sinned grievously in what I have done. But now, Lord, forgive the guilt of your servant, for I have been very foolish.” When David rose in the morning, the Lord had spoken to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying: “Go and say to David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I offer you three alternatives; choose one of them, and I will inflict it on you.'” Gad then went to David to inform him. He asked: “Do you want a three years’ famine to come upon your land, or to flee from your enemy three months while he pursues you, or to have a three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider and decide what I must reply to him who sent me.” David answered Gad: “I am in very serious difficulty. Let us fall by the hand of God, for he is most merciful; but let me not fall by the hand of man.” Thus David chose the pestilence. Now it was the time of the wheat harvest when the plague broke out among the people. The Lord then sent a pestilence over Israel from morning until the time appointed, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beer-sheba died. But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the Lord: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred.”
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7
R/ Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
- Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.
- Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.
- For this shall every faithful man pray to you in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.
- You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.
Gospel Acclamation: John 10:27
Alleluia, alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.” David ordered a census in order to know how many subjects he had and how many soldiers he had at his service. In so doing, he forgot that his power came from God and his military victories were the result of God’s protection and not his own military might. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus because they refused to see in him anything more than the ordinary person who had grown up in their midst; he could not be more than the person they knew him to be. Their attitude, like that of David, reflected a lack of trust. Lack of faith in God is at the root of all sin. We sin because we count on ourselves and not on God, because we refuse to allow God to be in control of our lives, because we fail to recognise the power of God. Let us, like David ask God for forgiveness for all the times when we have not trusted him, when we have counted on ourselves and not on him. Let us reaffirm our belief in Jesus and allow him to work wonders in our lives. Let us ask Jesus to increase our faith.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 2, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT BLAISE, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Psalter IV | RED
known for his healing of a boy who was choking on a fishbone. He is considered the patron saint of throat illnesses and is celebrated by Catholics with blessings of throats, often using blessed candles. Saint Blaise was martyred in 316 in Sebastea, Armenia, and is also revered as a patron saint of various professions, including wool combers and
merchants..
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105:47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3
Absalom unexpectedly came up against David’s servants. He was mounted on a mule, and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth, his hair caught fast in the tree. He hung between heaven and earth while the mule he had been riding ran off. Someone saw this and reported to Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth. And taking three pikes in hand, he thrust for the heart of Absalom, still hanging from the tree alive. Now David was sitting between the two gates, and a lookout went up to the roof of the gate above the city wall, where he looked about and saw a man running all alone. The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said, “If he is alone, he has good news to report.” The king said, “Step aside and remain in attendance here.” So he stepped aside and remained there. When the Cushite messenger came in, he said, “Let my lord the king receive the good news that this day the Lord has taken your part, freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you.” But the king asked the Cushite, “Is young Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man!” The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” Joab was told that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom; and that day’s victory was turned into mourning for the whole army when they heard that the king was grieving for his son.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R/ Listen, Lord, and answer me.
- Incline your ear, O Lord; answer me, for I am afflicted and poor. Keep my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.
- Have mercy on me, O Lord, for to you I call all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
- For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in kindness to all who call upon you. Hearken, O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my pleading.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 8:17
Alleluia, alleluia. Christ took away our infirmities and bore our diseases. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea. One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.” He went off with him and a large crowd followed him. There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” But his disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, Who touched me?” And he looked around to see who had done it. The woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction.” While he was still speaking, people from the synagogue official’s house arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” He did not allow anyone to accompany him inside except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, “Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” And they ridiculed him. Then he put them all out. He took along the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and entered the room where the child was. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded. He gave strict orders that no one should know this and said that she should be given something to eat.
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Do not be afraid; just have faith.” David was facing a rebellion led by his own son, Absalom, and he had had to flee for his life; but God came to his rescue and delivered him. Jairus came to Jesus because he believed that Jesus could save his daughter from death. Even when he was told his daughter had died, he stayed with Jesus because Jesus asked him to have faith. The woman with haemorrhage touched Jesus’ clothes because she was convinced that just that act would bring her healing. These three people teach us one lesson: absolute trust in the power and mercy of Jesus. Like them, we come up against hurdles and go through crises in life: we have to deal with unemployment, economic hardship, sickness, the loss of loved ones, challenges in our workplaces etc. When these moments come, let us turn to Jesus in faith. Let us go to him in prayer and remain committed to his precepts. Like Jairus and the sick woman, let us go to him with the firm conviction that he has a solution to our problems. Jesus tells us today not to be afraid, but to have faith in him.
by Norbert Doulanni | Feb 1, 2026 | Evangelium
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (FEAST)
Psalter PROPER | WHITE
This celebrates the event when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling the
Mosaic Law’s requirement to consecrate their firstborn son to God. The feast is also known as Candlemas because of the custom of blessing candles, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. The presentation also commemorates Mary’s ritual purification, which was required 40 days after the birth of a child, according to the Mosaic Law. Candlemas marks the end of the liturgical season of Christmas.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 47: 10-11
Your merciful love, O God, we have received in the midst of your temple. Your praise, O God, like your name, reaches the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with saving justice.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, we humbly implore your majesty that, just as your Only Begotten Son was presented on this day in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, so, by your grace, we may be presented to you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, Refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord. Then the sacrifice of Judah and Jerusalem will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R/ Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
- Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
- Who is this king of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
- Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!
- Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the king of glory.
Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 14-18
Therefore because the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner hath been partaker of the same: that, through death, he might destroy him who had the empire of death, that is to say, the devil: And might deliver them, who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to servitude. For no where doth he take hold of the angels: but of the seed of Abraham he taketh hold. Wherefore it behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful priest before God, that he might be a propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that, wherein he himself hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them also that are tempted.
Gospel Acclamation: Luke 2:32
Alleluia, alleluia. A light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Prayer over the Offerings
May the offering made with exultation by your Church be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray, for you willed that your Only Begotten Son be offered to you for the life of the world as the Lamb without blemish. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Communion Antiphon: Lk 2: 30-31
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.
Prayer after Communion
By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord, bring your grace to perfection within us, and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation that he would not see death until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ, so may we, going forth to meet the Lord, obtain the gift of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” The prophet Malachi spoke of the coming of the Lord. This prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus, and his presentation in the Temple was his first public appearance. Through Mary and Joseph, God presented his son Jesus to the Israelites and he also presents him to us. Over the ages, he has offered Jesus to us through his written Word and the teaching and witness of the Church. How do we receive him? Are we prepared to welcome him in our lives? Simeon and Anna are examples of people who were ready to receive Jesus. They had been living holy lives and expecting the Messiah, and when they saw him, they welcomed him with joy. Let us similarly embrace Jesus through a sincere profession of faith, obedience to his Word, and a life of witness to his name. Let us allow him to refine us like gold and purify us, in the words of Malachi, so that our lives may become a sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to him. It is only through him that we, like Simeon and Anna, can attain the fulfilment that we all seek in life.
by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 31, 2026 | Evangelium
4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINT ELLA
Psalter IV | GREEN
Entrance Antiphon: Ps 105: 47
Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you.
Collect
Grant us, Lord our God, that we may honour you with all our mind, and love everyone in truth of heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13
Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
R/ Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
- The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets captives free.
- The Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers.
- The fatherless and the widow the Lord sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts. The Lord shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.
Second reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Consider your own calling, brothers and sisters. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. Rather, God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something, so that no human being might boast before God. It is due to him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 5:12a
Alleluia, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
Prayer over the Offerings
O Lord, we bring to your altar these offerings of our service: be pleased to receive them, we pray, and transform them into the Sacrament of our redemption. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 30: 17-18
Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you.
Prayer after Communion
Nourished by these redeeming gifts, we pray, O Lord, that through this help to eternal salvation true faith may ever increase. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“Happy are you.” Just as Moses went up to Mount Sinai and brought down the Law of the Old Covenant, Jesus goes up the mountain and gives the Law of the New Covenant to the people. This Law is a recipe for happiness; Jesus tells us that if we follow it we will find happiness in this life. We shall find happiness if we are spiritually poor, that is, if we acknowledge our nothingness and total dependence on God despite our material wealth or worldly positions. We shall find happiness if we unite our difficulties and challenges to the sufferings of Christ and turn to him for comfort. We shall find happiness if we are gentle and loving to those we encounter, and if we promote justice and fairness in society. We shall find happiness if we show mercy to those we meet, if we are advocates of peace and unity, and if we purify our intentions such that our words and actions are inspired by God’s Word. We shall find happiness if we remain faithful to God even when we are persecuted. To be a Christian is to be happy, and through the Beatitudes we shall attain happiness, in this world and in the next.
by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 30, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINT JOHN BOSCO, PRIEST
Psalter III | WHITE
He was born in Piedmont of a peasant family, and he was brought up by his widowed mother. He became a priest, and his particular concern was for the young. He settled in Turin, where, as in so many cities in the 19th century, the industrial revolution was bringing enormous movements of population and consequent social problems, especially for the young men who came there to work. John Bosco devoted himself to the care of the young, first of all by means of evening classes, to which hundreds came, and then by setting up a boarding-house for apprentices, and then workshops for their training and education.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 131: 9
Your priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice; your holy ones shall ring out their joy.
Collect
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint John Bosco as a father and teacher of the young, grant, we pray, that, aflame with the same fire of love, we may seek out souls and serve you alone. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-7a, 10-17
The Lord sent Nathan to David, and when he came to him, Nathan said: “Judge this case for me! In a certain town there were two men, one rich, the other poor. The rich man had flocks and herds in great numbers. But the poor man had nothing at all except one little ewe lamb that he had bought. He nourished her, and she grew up with him and his children. She shared the little food he had and drank from his cup and slept in his bosom. She was like a daughter to him. Now, the rich man received a visitor, but he would not take from his own flocks and herds to prepare a meal for the wayfarer who had come to him. Instead he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor.”
David grew very angry with that man and said to him: “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this merits death! He shall restore the ewe lamb fourfold because he has done this and has had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘I will bring evil upon you out of your own house. I will take your wives while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor. He shall lie with your wives in broad daylight. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.'”
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan answered David: “The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die. But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die.” Then Nathan returned to his house. The Lord struck the child that the wife of Uriah had borne to David, and it became desperately ill. David besought God for the child. He kept a fast, retiring for the night to lie on the ground clothed in sackcloth. The elders of his house stood beside him urging him to rise from the ground; but he would not, nor would he take food with them.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17
R/ Create a clean heart in me, O God.
- A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
- Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you.
- Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Gospel Acclamation: John 3:16
Alleluia, alleluia. God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, re- buked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Lord, we pray, the offerings placed on your altar in commemoration of blessed John Bosco, so that, as you brought him glory, you may, through these sacred mysteries, grant to us your pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Mt 24: 46-47
Blessed is the servant whom the Lord finds watching when he comes. Amen I say to you: He will put that servant in charge of all his property.
Prayer after Communion
May partaking at the heavenly table, almighty God, confirm and increase strength from on high in all who celebrate the feast day of blessed John Bosco, that we may preserve in integrity the gift of faith and walk in the path of salvation you trace for us. Through Christ our Lord.Meditation
“Create a clean heart in me, O Lord.” Jesus, by calming the storm, demonstrated his power over the forces of nature. He also showed that he is greater than the devil, because for the Jews the sea was a symbol of the forces of evil and darkness. If Jesus is greater than the devil, it means he is greater than sin, which we commit because of the devil’s temptation. He is greater than our weakness, and there is no sin that he cannot forgive. David had desired another man’s wife, committed adultery with her, and had her husband killed in order to have her. God in his justice condemned him, but when he acknowledged his sin, God in his mercy pardoned him. God is always ready to forgive us and give us another chance, if and only if we repent and turn back to him. May we always be aware of sin, and may we never hesitate to implore God’s mercy. His love and mercy are larger than our sinfulness; he will always grant us his forgiveness if we sincerely ask for it.
by Norbert Doulanni | Jan 29, 2026 | Evangelium
SAINTE MARTINA OF ROME, VIRGIN AND MARTYR
Psalter III
GREEN
She lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus, under his persecution, she was arrested and ordered to worship pagan idols. She was known for her charitable nature and unwavering faith. She was tortured and beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, according to tradition.
Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 95: 1, 6
O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
Collect
Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-4a, 5-10a, 13-17
At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign, David sent out Joab along with his officers and the army of Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. David, however, remained in Jerusalem. One evening David rose from his siesta and strolled about on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing, who was very beautiful. David had inquiries made about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Joab’s armor bearer Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers and took her. When she came to him, he had relations with her. She then returned to her house. But the woman had conceived, and sent the information to David, “I am with child.” David therefore sent a message to Joab, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David. When he came, David questioned him about Joab, the soldiers, and how the war was going, and Uriah answered that all was well. David then said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and bathe your feet.” Uriah left the palace, and a portion was sent out after him from the king’s table. But Uriah slept at the entrance of the royal palace with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his own house. David was told that Uriah had not gone home. On the day following, David summoned him, and he ate and drank with David, who made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed among his lord’s servants, and did not go down to his home. The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. In it he directed: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and among them Uriah the Hittite died.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6a, 6bcd-7, 10-11
R/ Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
- Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.
- For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.”
- I have done such evil in your sight that you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
- Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt.
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew11:25
Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34
Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.
Prayer over the Offerings
Accept our offerings, O Lord, we pray, and in sanctifying them grant that they may profit us for salvation. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Cf. Ps 33: 6
Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
Prayer after Communion
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, receiving the grace by which you bring us to new life, we may always glory in your gift. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
“The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed.” A mustard seed is very tiny, but when it is planted, it grows slowly and steadily over the years to become a big tree that provides shelter for birds. Similarly, our faith in God is usually manifested in small and seemingly insignificant things: going to mass regularly on Sundays, praying every morning and evening, offering a kind word or a smile to someone, giving a helping hand to a person in need, telling the truth when one could have lied, and trying to do one’s work well or to study with diligence. We may not notice it, but if we persevere in these little acts, over time we shall be slowly but surely transformed. Our belief in God will grow stronger and stronger, and we will become more and more like Christ. The obstacle to this process of transformation is sin, and we are all vulnerable to it. David, the righteous king, fell into temptation; we too sin against God every day. But like the Psalmist, let us never hesitate to return to God for forgiveness; in this way, despite our weaknesses, we will continue to be transformed in the image of Christ.
