Monday 20 october

Blessed DaudiOkelo (1902 – 1918)

and JildoIrwa (1906 – 1918)

Psalter: Week I

Green

These two catechists died for their faith on 20 October 1918 at Paimol In Northern Uganda. They were still very young – Daudi was 16, while Jildo was only 12.  During the persecutions of Christians, they were dragged outside their hut and killed for the sole reason of teaching the Christian faith.

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. 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.

First reading: Romans 4:20-25    

Since God had made him a promise, Abraham refused either to deny it or even to doubt it, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, convinced that God had power to do what he had promised. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’ Scripture however does not refer only to him but to us as well when it says that his faith was thus ‘considered’; our faith too will be ‘considered’ if we believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, Jesus who was put to death for our sins and raised to life to justify us.

Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-75            

R/ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel! He has visited his people.

He has raised up for us a mighty saviour in the house of David his servant,as he promised by the lips of holy men,those who were his prophets from of old.

A saviour who would free us from our foes, from the hands of all who hate us.

So his love for our fathers is fulfilled  and his holy covenant remembered.

He swore to Abraham our father to grant us that free from fear, and saved from the hands of our foes,we might serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our life in his presence.

Gospel Acclamation: Ps24:4,5   

Alleluia, alleluia! Teach me your paths, my God,make me walk in your truth.Alleluia!

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21   

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 18-19

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Wills, legacies, and inheritance often become sources of conflict, leading to disputes among friends and relatives. Unwilling to involve Himself in a family squabble over an inheritance, Jesus takes the opportunity to address the dangers of greed through a parable. The story revolves around a farmer who experiences a bountiful harvest.  However, the abundance of his crops becomes a source of worry for him, as he begins to ponder how to store the surplus grain. He channels his energies into building bigger barns to store his excess goods, aiming to secure his future. Tragically, shortly after completing this task, he dies. This parable illustrates the folly of relying on material abundance for security. The farmer’s belief that he has ensured a life of comfort and luxury proves to be a false sense of security. The real and lasting security lies not in storing up massive excesses, but in becoming rich in the sight of God. This is achieved by following the example of Jesus, who gives Himself so that others may experience a fuller life. When we recognise God as our ultimate security through faith, it frees us to give generously, sharing what we have received, echoing the selfless generosity of Jesus.

DIMANCHE 19 OCTOBRE

SAINTS JEAN DE BRÉBEUF ET ISAAC JOGUES, PRÊTRES, ET LEURS COMPAGNONS, MARTYRS

PSAUTIER: I

VERT

Antienne  d’ouverture : Ps 16, 6 .8

Je t’appelle, mon Dieu, car tu peux me répondre. Écoute-moi! Entends ce que je dis. Garde-moi comme la prunelle de l’œil; sois mon abri, protège-moi.

Prière  d’ouverture

Dieu éternel et tout-puissant, Fais-nous toujours vouloir ce que tu veux et servir ta gloire d’un cœur sans partage. Par Jésus Christ.

1ère lecture : Exode 17, 8-13

En ces jours-là, le peuple d’Israël marchait à travers le désert. Les Amalécites survinrent et attaquèrent Israël à Rephidim. Moïse dit alors à Josué : « Choisis des hommes, et va combattre les Amalécites. Moi, demain, je me tiendrai sur le sommet de la colline, le bâton de Dieu à la main. » Josué fit ce que Moïse avait dit : il mena le combat contre les Amalécites. Moïse, Aaron et Hour étaient montés au sommet de la colline. Quand Moïse tenait la main levée, Israël était le plus fort. Quand il la laissait retomber, Amalec était le plus fort. Mais les mains de Moïse s’alourdissaient ; on prit une pierre, on la plaça derrière lui, et il s’assit dessus. Aaron et Hour lui soutenaient les mains, l’un d’un côté, l’autre de l’autre. Ainsi les mains de Moïse restèrent fermes jusqu’au coucher du soleil. Et Josué triompha des Amalécites au fil de l’épée.  

Psaume 120 (121), 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)

R/        Le secours me viendra du Seigneur qui a fait le ciel et la terre. (Ps 120, 2)

Je lève les yeux vers les montagnes : d’où le secours me viendra-t-il ? Le secours me viendra du Seigneur qui a fait le ciel et la terre.

Qu’il empêche ton pied de glisser, qu’il ne dorme pas, ton gardien. Non, il ne dort pas, ne sommeille pas, le gardien d’Israël. Le Seigneur, ton gardien, le Seigneur, ton ombrage, se tient près de toi.

Le soleil, pendant le jour, ne pourra te frapper, ni la lune, durant la nuit.

Le Seigneur te gardera de tout mal, il gardera ta vie. Le Seigneur te gardera, au départ et au retour, maintenant, à jamais.  

2ème lecture : 2 Timothée 3, 14 – 4, 2

Bien-aimé, demeure ferme dans ce que tu as appris : de cela tu as acquis la certitude, sachant bien de qui tu l’as appris. Depuis ton plus jeune âge, tu connais les Saintes Écritures : elles ont le pouvoir de te communiquer la sagesse, en vue du salut par la foi que nous avons en Jésus Christ. Toute l’Écriture est inspirée par Dieu ; elle est utile pour enseigner, dénoncer le mal, redresser, éduquer dans la justice ; grâce à elle, l’homme de Dieu sera accompli, équipé pour faire toute sorte de bien. Devant Dieu, et devant le Christ Jésus qui va juger les vivants et les morts, je t’en conjure, au nom de sa Manifestation et de son Règne : proclame la Parole, interviens à temps et à contretemps, dénonce le mal, fais des reproches, encourage, toujours avec patience et souci d’instruire.

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia! Elle est vivante, efficace, la parole de Dieu ; elle juge des intentions et des pensées du cœur. Alléluia! (cf. He 4, 12)

Évangile : Luc 18, 1-8

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples une parabole sur la nécessité pour eux de toujours prier sans se décourager : « Il y avait dans une ville un juge qui ne craignait pas Dieu et ne respectait pas les hommes. Dans cette même ville, il y avait une veuve qui venait lui demander : ‘Rends-moi justice contre mon adversaire.’ Longtemps il refusa ; puis il se dit : ‘Même si je ne crains pas Dieu et ne respecte personne, comme cette veuve commence à m’ennuyer, je vais lui rendre justice pour qu’elle ne vienne plus sans cesse m’assommer.’ » Le Seigneur ajouta : « Écoutez bien ce que dit ce juge dépourvu de justice ! Et Dieu ne ferait pas justice à ses élus, qui crient vers lui jour et nuit ? Les fait-il attendre ? Je vous le déclare : bien vite, il leur fera justice. Cependant, le Fils de l’homme, quand il viendra, trouvera-t-il la foi sur la terre ? »

Prière  sur  les  offrandes

Accorde-nous, Seigneur, de te servir à cet autel en toute liberté d’esprit. Ainsi ta grâce pourra nous purifier dans le mystère que nous célébrons. Par Jésus.

Antienne  de  communion : Ps 32, 18-19

Le Seigneur veille sur ceux qui le craignent, sur ceux qui espèrent son amour, pour les préserver de la mort, les garder en vie aux jours de famine.

Prière  après  la  communion

Seigneur, fais-nous trouver des forces neuves dans cette communion aux réalités du ciel. Assure-nous tes bienfaits  ici-bas et instruis-nous des richesses de ton Royaume. Par Jésus.

Méditation

La liturgie de ce jour est traversée par des pleurs de supplication fervente qui proviennent d’un coeur rempli de foi. Dans la première lecture, Moise intercède pour le peuple en pleine bataille jusqu’à ce que le Seigneur daigne lui accordé la victoire. C’est ainsi que notre prière se doit d’être fervente au coeur de l’épreuve jusqu’à ce que le Seigneur daigne nous la faire surmonté. Car, comme le dit le psaume, alors que bas l’épreuve dans nos vies, seul du Seigneur nous obtenons le secours dont nous avons besoin. Dans la seconde lecture, l’apôtre Paul invite son fils Timothé à être bien assis dans l’enseignement qu’il a reçu et à instruire ses frères et soeurs avec patience. C’est la Parole qui nous confère la foi qui soutien notre supplication vers le Seigneur. Enfin dans l’évangile, Jésus nous invite à cette prière fervente, continuelle qui nous obtient bien vite la justice du Père. Mais un préalable est nécessaire pour que notre prière demeure fervente: la foi.

Sunday 19 october

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions

Psalter: Week I

Green

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 16: 6, 8

To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart. 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.

First reading : Exodus 17:8-13

The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, ‘Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses’ arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 120(121)

R/            Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

May he never allow you to stumble! Let him sleep not, your guard. No, he sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade; at your right side he stands. By day the sun shall not smite you nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil, he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your going and coming both now and forever.

Second reading : 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

You must keep to what you have been taught and know to be true; remember who your teachers were, and how, ever since you were a child, you have known the holy scriptures – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and can profitably be used for teaching, for refuting error, for guiding people’s lives and teaching them to be holy. This is how the man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work. Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience – but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching.

Gospel Acclamation : cf.Ep1:17, 18

Alleluia, alleluia! May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us. Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’ And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 18-19

Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

We are immersed in a task of great significance: our salvation, a pursuit that demands unwavering perseverance. To attain it, we must actively collaborate with God, engaging in a kind of struggle with Him. Today’s reading serves as an encouragement to persist in prayer. It unveils the narrative of the widow whose unyielding persistence compells an unjust judge to grant her justice. Although she faces the threat of being a poor person under menace, the law is firmly on her side. The justice of her case is not in doubt, but the challenge is to get a judge willing  to hear it. This determined widow becomes a model for us, urging us to pray persistently both for ourselves and others. We can articulate our needs particularly those for peace, love, grace, and salvation. Unlike the unjust judge, our God is just and responsive.  We are, therefore, called to maintain perseverance in hope. In this spirit, we trust that ultimately all will be well, and we will joyfully enter into His presence, having reached our final destination.

Saturday 18 october

Saint  Luke, Evangelist –

Feast

Psalter: Week IV

Red

He was a Greek doctor who converted to Christianity. He was a companion of the Apostle Paul, and wrote his Gospel in accordance with Paul’s teaching. He also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, which narrates the early history of the Church up to Paul’s first stay in Rome.

Entrance Antiphon : Is 52: 7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings of peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation!

Collect

Lord God, who chose Saint Luke to reveal by his preaching and writings the mystery of your love for the poor, grant that those who already glory in your name may persevere as one heart and one soul and that all nations may merit to see your salvation. 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.

First reading : 2 Timothy 4:10-17

Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say. The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 144(145):10-13a,17-18

R/ Your friends, O Lord, make known the glorious splendour of your reign.

All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord, and your friends shall repeat their blessing. They shall speak of the glory of your reign and declare your might, O God.

They make known to men your mighty deeds and the glorious splendour of your reign. Yours is an everlasting kingdom; your rule lasts from age to age.

The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds. He is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts.

Gospel Acclamation : Jn15:16

Alleluia, alleluia! I chose you from the world to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel : Luke 10:1-9

The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant through your heavenly gifts that we may serve you in freedom of heart, we pray, O Lord, so that the offerings we make on the feast day of Saint Luke may bring us healing and give us glory. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Lk 10: 1, 9

The Lord sent out disciples to proclaim throughout the towns: The kingdom of God is at hand for you.

Prayer after Communion

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that what we have received from your holy altar may sanctify us and make us strong in the faith of the Gospel which Saint Luke proclaimed. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

We celebrate the evangelist Saint Luke, known as the “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14 and 11; cf. 2 Tim. 4:11, Philem. 24), and Paul’s acquaintance. Luke’s gospel adapts to the changing conditions of the Christian life. Although he warmly welcomes Christians of Gentile background, Luke himself is believed to be a Jew of the Diaspora, likely from Antioch, as second-century tradition indicates. He consistently presents Jesus as Lord and Master, as well as a humble servant of the Father, a figure to be revered and emulated. Luke emphasises the significance of piety, prayer, love, and compassion, particularly for the poor and those despised by society, similar to Jesus’ attitude toward outsiders, women, children, and sinners. Luke has contributed most of the beloved parables, such as the Good Samaritan, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, each infused with a distinctive quality of mercy and tenderness. Luke is rightfully acknowledged as the “Scribe of the gentleness of Christ.”  Faithful in his mission as an evangelist, he serves as an inspiration for us today, urging us to be faithful in our mission and calling as Christians.

SAMEDI 18 OCTOBRE

SAINT LUC, EVANGELIST – FETE

BVM

PSAUTIER: IV

ROUGE

Ce laïc était médecin. Ami de Paul, il l’accompagna durant une partie de ses voyages. La tradition lui attribue le troisième évangile et les Actes des Apôtres. Ces deux livres forment les volets d’un diptyque. L’Evangile présente Jésus comme le Sauveur universel, et sa vie comme une montée vers Jérusalem où, par sa mort et sa résurrection, il accomplit sa mission de salut.

Antienne d’ouverture : Ps 129

Comme il est beau de voir courir sur les montagnes le messager qui annonce la paix, le messager de la Bonne Nouvelle, qui annonce le salut.

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu qui as choisi saint Luc pour révéler, par sa parole et ses écrits, le mystère de ton amour envers les pauvres, accorde à ceux qui se réclament de ton nom d’être un seul cœur et une seule âme, et, à tous les peuples du monde, la grâce de voir ton salut. Par Jésus.

1ère  lecture : Romains 4, 13.16-18

Frères, ce n’est pas en vertu de la Loi que la promesse de recevoir le monde en héritage a été faite à Abraham et à sa descendance, mais en vertu de la justice obtenue par la foi. Voilà pourquoi on devient héritier par la foi : c’est une grâce, et la promesse demeure ferme pour tous les descendants d’Abraham, non pour ceux qui se rattachent à la Loi seulement, mais pour ceux qui se rattachent aussi à la foi d’Abraham, lui qui est notre père à tous. C’est bien ce qui est écrit : J’ai fait de toi le père d’un grand nombre de nations. Il est notre père devant Dieu en qui il a cru, Dieu qui donne la vie aux morts et qui appelle à l’existence ce qui n’existe pas. Espérant contre toute espérance, il a cru ; ainsi est-il devenu le père d’un grand nombre de nations, selon cette parole : Telle sera la descendance que tu auras !

Psaume : 104 (105), 6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R/ Joie pour les cœurs qui cherchent Dieu !   Ou : Alléluia !

Vous, la race d’Abraham son serviteur, les fils de Jacob, qu’il a choisis,  le Seigneur, c’est lui notre Dieu : ses jugements font loi pour l’univers.

Il s’est toujours souvenu de son alliance, parole édictée pour mille générations : promesse faite à Abraham, garantie par serment à Isaac,

Il s’est ainsi souvenu de la parole sacrée et d’Abraham, son serviteur ; il a fait sortir en grande fête son peuple, ses élus, avec des cris de joie !

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. L’Esprit de vérité rendra témoignage en ma faveur, dit le Seigneur. Et vous aussi, vous allez rendre témoignage. Alléluia. (cf. Jn 15, 26b.27a)

Évangile : Luc 12, 8-12

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait à ses disciples : « Je vous le dis : Quiconque se sera déclaré pour moi devant les hommes, le Fils de l’homme aussi se déclarera pour lui devant les anges de Dieu. Mais celui qui m’aura renié en face des hommes sera renié à son tour en face des anges de Dieu. Quiconque dira une parole contre le Fils de l’homme, cela lui sera pardonné; mais si quelqu’un blasphème contre l’Esprit Saint, cela ne lui sera pas pardonné.  Quand on vous traduira devant les gens des synagogues, les magistrats et les autorités, ne vous inquiétez pas de la façon dont vous vous défendrez ni de ce que vous direz. Car l’Esprit Saint vous enseignera à cette heure-là ce qu’il faudra dire. »

Prière sur les offrandes 

Par ta grâce divine, accorde-nous Seigneur, de te servir avec un cœur libéré, afin que nos offrandes, présentées en la fête de saint Luc, nous procurent la guérison et la gloire. Par Jésus.

Antienne de communion : Ps 33,

Le Seigneur envoya ses disciples pour annoncer dans les villes : « Le Règne de Dieu est arrivé jusqu’à vous. »

Prière après la communion 

Permets, Dieu tout-Puissant, que le sacrement reçu à ton autel nous sanctifie: qu’il nous donne de croire plus fermement à la Bonne Nouvelle que saint Luc nous a transmise. Par Jésus.

Méditation

Jésus nous révèle, dans l’évangile de Luc, la place primordiale de l’Esprit Saint dans l’œuvre de salut : « car l’Esprit Saint vous enseignera… ». Luc met en exergue dans son évangile et dans les actes des apôtres toute l’œuvre de l’Esprit Saint au début du ministère de Jésus, Jésus retournant en Galilée avec la puissance de l’Esprit Saint, et de la prédication évangélique de l’Eglise naissante soutenue par les dons et charismes. C’est Lui qui, conduisant toute l’œuvre du salut, nous révèle que par la foi nous acquérons l’héritage promis dont les prémices nous sont données dès à présent. Quel est ta relation avec la personne du Saint Esprit ? Je t’invite à le redécouvrir dans chacune de tes prières et à te laisser conduire par Lui. Saint Séraphim de Sarov le disait : « le but de la vie chrétienne est l’acquisition de l’Esprit Saint. »