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Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Apollinaris; born in Antioch, and became a disciple of St. Peter; his successor as bishop of Ravenna, St. Peter Chrysologus, preached a sermon in his honor in the 5th century, recalling how in the Church’s infancy, St. Apollinaris showed deep faith and dedication in the face of punishment; two beautiful churches in the onetime important Byzantine city of Ravenna are dedicated to him; he died in 79 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/20/26 Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/19/26 Gospel: Matthew 13:24-43

Saturday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Camillus de Lellis, 1550-1614; born in Italy, and worked for a Capuchin friary, but suffered from a leg wound and compulsive gambling; in Rome, he worked at a hospital, became a nurse, and eventually director of the hospital; at age 32, he decided to become a priest; he founded a religious order focused on caring for the sick Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/18/26 Gospel: Matthew 12:14-21

Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Carmelite Nuns of Compiegne; they were sixteen Carmelites caught up in the French Revolution and martyred; on July 12, 1794, the Carmelites were taken to Paris and five days later were sentenced to death; they went to the guillotine singing the Salve Regina; the martyrdom of the nuns was immortalized by the composer Francois Poulenc in his famous opera, "Dialogues des Carmelites" Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/17/26 Gospel: Matthew 12:1-8

Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; patroness of the Carmelite order; it was on Mount Carmel that God publicly answered the prophet Elijah’s prayer, consumed the offering, and confirmed He was a living God; centuries later, in the 12th century after Christ, a group of hermits gathered on the mountain and committed their lives to prayer and penance, forming the Carmelite Order Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/16/26 Gospel; Matthew 11:28-30

Wednesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Bonaventure, 1221-1274; entered the Franciscan Order in his early twenties, and studied in Paris, where, in 1248, he received a doctorate in theology; in 1257, he was elected Minister General of the Order' in 1273, he became Cardinal of Albano and played a prominent role at the Council of Lyons, which aimed to unite the Latin and Greek Churches; he died in 1274, was canonized in 1482 and proclaimed a doctor of the Church in 1588 by Sixtus V Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/15/26 Gospel: Matthew 11:25-27

Tuesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 1656-1680; Indian virgin of the Mohawk tribe; orphaned, due to smallpox, and raised by her village; when Jesuit missionaries arrived, she asked to be baptized; many in her clan could not accept this, so she was forced to retreat to a town north on the St. Lawrence River; when she died, it is said that the smallpox scars on her face disappeared; she is the first Native American to be canonized a saint Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/14/26 Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24

Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Henry, 972-1024; King of Germany and Italy and crowned Holy Roman Emperor, the last in the Ottonian (Saxon) dynasty; Henry and his wife were very generous to the poor and to monasteries; he founded a cathedral and monastery in Bamberg he is the only German king to be elevated to sainthood Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/13/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:34-11:1

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/12/26 Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23

Saturday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Benedict, 480-547; born in Italy, educated in Rome, but he was disillusioned by the behavior of other students; so, he retreated to a cave deep in the mountains for spiritual seclusion; he relocated to Monte Cassino, and wrote a rule for his monks which became so popular that it helped shape the civilization and culture of Europe; Benedict is the patron saint of Europe Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/11/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:24-33

Friday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Anthony Pechersky, 983-1073; born in Ukraine, and went to Mount Athos in Greece to become a hermit; after several years, he returned to Ukraine and built a hermitage in Kiev, which was to become known as the "Caves of Kiev," the first Ukrainian monastery founded by Ukrainians; Anthony founded another monastery, but died in the Caves of Kiev Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/10/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:16-23

Thursday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao Rong and 119 companions, the martyrs of China; they were holy men and women who gave their lives for Christ between 1648 and 1930; they included 87 native Chinese and 33 foreign missionaries; Augustine Zhao Rong, the first martyred Chinese priest, had earlier witnessed the persecution of Monsignor Dufresse and became ordained because of it Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/9/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:7-15

Wednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Jeanne-Marie Kerguin, 1864-1900; born in France to a peasant family; joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1887; she was assigned first to Paris, then to Carthage in Northern Africa; she encountered health problems and was sent to Rome to recover; there she answered the call of her Order to work as a missionary; she arrived in China in 1899, and was hospitalized with typhus; she was arrested during the Boxer Rebellion, and was beheaded in China Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/8/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7

Tuesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Palladius; early Fifth Century Irish missionary, the first bishop of Ireland, and the immediate predecessor to St. Patrick; in about 430, Pope Celestine I sent Palladius to preach among the Irish; his mission apparently made little impact upon the native population; Palladius departed Ireland and sailed for Scotland, where he preached among the Picts; he died at Fordun, near Aberdeen Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/7/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

Monday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Maria Goretti, 1890-1902; after her father’s passing, Saint Maria’s mother had to return to work while Maria looked after her five brothers and sisters; sadly, a malicious neighbor took advantage of the situation and little Maria was killed in 1902; Saint Maria, at age 11, declared she’d rather die than be abused; she was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII and is one of the Church’s youngest saints Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/6/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/5/26 Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Saturday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Independence Day in the U.S. Optional Memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, 1271-1336; given in marriage at the age of 12 to Denis, king of Portugal; she helped pilgrims, strangers, the sick, the poor—in a word, all those whose need came to her notice; Elizabeth of Portugal long sought peace for her husband with God, and was finally rewarded when he gave up his life of sin; after the death of her husband, Elizabeth retired as a Franciscan tertiary to the monastery of the Poor Clares in Coimbra; from there, she brought about a lasting peace between her son Alfonso, now king of Portugal, and his son-in-law, the king of Castile Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/4/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:14-17

Feast of St. Thomas, apostle Friday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/3/26 Gospel: John 20:24-29

Thursday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Monegundis; Sixth Century hermitess, born in Chartres, France, and married; when her daughters died, she received her husband's permission to become a hermitess; she started a hermitage at Chartres but then moved to a site near the tomb of St. Martin at Tours; disciples who joined her forced her to establish a rule that led to the founding of a convent; she died in 570, and many miracles took place at her tomb Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/2/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8

Wednesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Junipero Serra, 1713-1784; Spanish priest and Franciscan missionary; an explorer and colonist of California, and founder of the missions of California; his missionary efforts earned him the title of “Apostle of California” and “The Father of the California Missions” Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 7/1/26 Gospel: Matthew 8:28-34

Tuesday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome; they were put to death under the emperor Nero's reign, in 64 A.D.; the burning of the city of Rome was suspected to be Nero's fault, and he laid it on the Christians; their conviction and martyrdom led to many others to follow Christ Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/30/26 Gospel: Matthew 8:23-27

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/29/26 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/28/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42

Saturday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444; in 412, he succeeded his uncle Theopholus as archbishop of Alexandria; in 431, he convened the Council of Ephesus which vindicated Mary’s title as Mother of God; he was a prolific author, writing commentaries on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Gospels of John and Luke Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/27/26 Gospel: Matthew 8:5-17

Friday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer; 1902-1975; born in Spain; in 1918, he sensed that God was asking something of him; he was ordained a priest, and began his pastoral ministry in 1925; in 1928, God showed him that he was to found Opus Dei, an institution within the Catholic Church dedicated to helping people in all walks of life to follow Christ, to seek holiness in their daily life and grow in love for God and their fellow men and women; he moved to Rome in 1946, so as to be close to the Holy See; his death came suddenly in Rome, when he was 73 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/26/26 Gospel: Matthew 8:1-4

Thursday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. William of Vercelli, 1085-1142; born in Vercelli, Italy; brought up as an orphan; became a hermit after a pilgrimage, and attracted so many followers that a monastery was built; the austerity of his rule led to dissension among his followers; so, to restore peace, William left, and was taken under the protection of Roger I of Naples, who built him a monastery in Salerno; he founded monasteries throughout Naples, and died near Nusco, Italy Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/25/26 Gospel: Matthew 7:21-29

Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist Wednesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/24/26 Gospel: Luke 1:57-66, 80

Tuesday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Agrippina; came from a good Roman family in the Third Century; she was caught up in the persecutions instituted by Emperor Valerian or Diocletian and was beheaded or scourged in 262; her body was taken to Mineo, Sicily, by three devout Christian women; the gravesite became a popular pilgrimage destination, noted for miracles through Agrippina's intercession Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/23/26 Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Monday of the 12th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More; Thomas More was married, fathered children, and was elected to parliament; he was made Lord Chancellor of England shortly before Henry VIII took control of the Church of England; Thomas resigned over this, and suffered poverty, imprisonment in the Tower of London, and beheading; John Fisher, Cambridge scholar and bishop of Rochester, was one of 53 others martyred in 1535 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/22/26 Gospel: Matthew 7:1-5

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/21/26 Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

Saturday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. John of Pulsano, 1070-1139; born in Matera in the kingdom of Naples; he entered the Benedictines, but was disliked because his austerities; joined the community of St. William of Vercelli for a time, leaving to preach at Ban; John spent time as a hermit in Sicily and was imprisoned; he escaped and went to Capua; in his later years, John founded a monastery at Pulsano; he was famous for preaching, prophecy, and miracles Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/20/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34

Friday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Romuald, 951-1027; Shocked by witnessing his father win a duel, Saint Romuald fled to a local abbey and entered religious life; he traveled through Italy reforming monasteries and eventually founded the Camaldolese Order; as Saint Peter Damian described, Saint Romuald’s goal was to, “…turn the whole world into a hermitage, and make all the multitude of the people associates of the monastic order” Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/19/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

Thursday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Gregory Barbarigo, 1625-1697; he came from a distinguished Venetian family, embraced a diplomatic career, and then became a priest; he was consecrated as the first bishop of Bergamo; later, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal, and given authority over the diocese of Padua; he guided his flock with pastoral wisdom and deep understanding; St. Gregory Barbarigo worked unceasingly in carrying out the reforms set forth by the Council of Trent; at Padua, he added a library and a printing press Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/18/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Wednesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Hypatius of Bithynia, 366-450; born in Phrygia, and became a monk; went to Thrace and became a hermit; then went to Constantinople and Chalcedon; Hypatius is credited with halting a revival of the Olympic games because of their pagan origins; he was known for miracles and prophecies Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/17/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Tuesday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Luthgard, 1182-1246; born in Belgium, placed in a Benedictine convent at the age of twelve; she had many mystical experiences, levitated, and had a form of the stigmata; in order to avoid being made an abbess, Lutjgard joined the Cistercians; she lived a mystical life for three decades and was famed for her spiritual wisdom and miracles; during the last eleven years of her life she was blind; one of the outstanding mystics of the Middle Ages Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/16/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Adelaide; Thirteenth Century contemplative and miracle worker, born in Belgium, and placed in a convent at the age of seven; she was beloved by the nuns because of her humility and goodness, but they found that she had contracted leprosy, and had to be isolated for health reasons; she received many graces, including visions and ecstasies and many miracles were credited to her intercession; going blind and becoming paralyzed, Adelaide died on June 11, 1250 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/15/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/14/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:36-10:8

Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/13/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:19-23

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Friday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/12/26 Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30

Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Barnabas; a Levite; not one of the Twelve, but referred to as an "apostle" by St. Luke; he was a friend to St. Paul, and brought him before the apostles, when he was seeking to redeem his reputation; Barnabas and Paul went to Antioch, where they taught Christians for a year; afterwards, Barnabas traveled through Asia Minor and was a respected missionary and advisor Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/11/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Wednesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Landericus; bishop of Paris from 650 to 661; he labored zealously to improve the lot of the poor and lowly; when the proceeds from the sale of all his possessions did not suffice to relieve their hungry during a famine, he went so far as to sell some of the Church vessels and furniture; he erected the city's first real hospital, dedicated to St. Christopher, which eventually became the Hotel Dieu; he welcomed the Benedictines into his diocese, and encouraged them to set up the Abbey of Denis. he died about 661 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/10/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Tuesday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Ephrem, 306-373; poet, teacher, orator, and defender of the faith, Saint Ephrem is the only Syriac Christian recognized as a doctor of the Church; he had a prolific pen; although he was not a man of great scholarship, his works reflect deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures; he wrote hymns against the heretics of his day; he would take the popular songs of the heretical groups and using their melodies, compose beautiful hymns embodying orthodox doctrine; he lived in a small cave overlooking the city of Edessa; it was here that he died around 373 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 6/9/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16