Born around 347 AD, Saint John of Antioch became renowned as Chrysostom, which means “golden-mouthed,” a testament to his exceptional eloquence. Born to devout Christian parents in Antioch, his mother was an epitome of virtue even at a young age of 20. St. John honed his rhetorical skills under the tutelage of the famed pagan orator, Libanius.

By 374, he chose a life of seclusion as an anchorite in the mountains adjacent to Antioch. However, due to health issues, he had to return to Antioch in 386, where he was subsequently ordained as a priest.

The year 398 saw his elevation to the prestigious See of Constantinople, solidifying his position as one of the Church’s luminaries. Yet, his prominence did not come without challenges. Among his adversaries were some from ecclesiastical circles, notably Theophilus, the Patriarch of Alexandria, who later expressed regret for his actions. Yet, the most formidable of his opponents was Empress Eudoxia, who took umbrage at his straightforward, apostolic sermons. A sham council led to allegations against him, resulting in his exile.

Despite the adversities, St. John’s spirit remained unbroken, drawing solace and strength akin to his revered apostle, St. Paul. The Pope’s unwavering support was a source of great consolation to him during these tumultuous times. However, his adversaries sought to exacerbate his ordeal, further banishing him to the far reaches of the Empire, to Pythius. En route to this remote exile, St. John Chrysostom passed away on September 14, 407.

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Sirach 27:30-28:7
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Romans 14:7-9
Matthew 18:21-35

Sirach 27:30-28:7
(30) Whoever sets in motion a wicked plan will find that it rolls back over him, and he will not know from which direction it will arrive. (31) Mockery and derision are of the arrogant, and vengeance will lie in wait for them, like a lion. (32) Whoever enjoys the fall of the just will perish in a snare, and grief will consume them before they die. (33) Anger and fury are both abominable, and the sinful man will be held by them. (1) Whoever wishes for vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely be attentive to his sins. (2) Forgive your neighbor, if he has harmed you, and then your sins will be forgiven you when you pray. (3) A man holds on to anger against another man, and does he then seek a remedy from God? (4) He has no mercy on a man like himself, and does he then entreat for his own sins? (5) He who is but flesh holds on to anger, and does he then request forgiveness from God? Who can obtain pardon for his sins in this way? (6) Remember your very end, and let animosities cease. (7) For corruption and death are suspended over his commandments.

Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
(1) To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless his holy name, all that is within me. (2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his recompenses. (3) He forgives all your iniquities. He heals all your infirmities. (4) He redeems your life from destruction. He crowns you with mercy and compassion. (9) He will not be angry forever, and he will not threaten for eternity. (10) He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities. (11) For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our iniquities from us.

Romans 14:7-9
(7) For none of us lives for himself, and none of us dies for himself. (8) For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (9) For Christ died and rose again for this purpose: that he might be the ruler of both the dead and the living.

Matthew 18:21-35
(21) Then Peter, drawing near to him, said: “Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Even seven times?” (22) Jesus said to him: “I do not say to you, even seven times, but even seventy times seven times. (23) Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a man who was king, who wanted to take account of his servants. (24) And when he had begun taking account, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But since he did not have any way to repay it, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children, and all that he had, in order to repay it. (26) But that servant, falling prostrate, begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ (27) Then the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, released him, and he forgave his debt. (28) But when that servant departed, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarius. And taking hold of him, he choked him, saying: ‘Repay what you owe.’ (29) And his fellow servant, falling prostrate, petitioned him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay it all to you.’ (30) But he was not willing. Instead, he went out and had him sent to prison, until he would repay the debt. (31) Now his fellow servants, seeing what was done, were greatly saddened, and they went and reported to their lord all that was done. (32) Then his lord called him, and he said to him: ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you pleaded with me. (33) Therefore, should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I also had compassion on you?’ (34) And his lord, being angry, handed him over to the torturers, until he repaid the entire debt. (35) So, too, shall my heavenly Father do to you, if each one of you will not forgive his brother from your hearts.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Following Jewish customs, the parents of our Lady named her eight days after her birth. They felt inspired to name her Mary. Due to this, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary comes after her Birthday, just as the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus comes after Christmas.

The feast, celebrating Mary’s name, began in Spain and was recognized by the Holy See in 1513. Later in 1683, Innocent XI extended its observance to the entire Church. This extension was a gesture of gratitude to our Lady for a significant victory on September 12, 1683. On this day, King John Sobieski of Poland triumphed over the Turks, who were not only besieging Vienna but were also threatening the entirety of the West.

To commemorate this victory in Vienna, a unique pastry was created. This pastry was shaped like the Turkish half-moon, representing the defeated invaders. Moreover, coffee, a part of the spoils from the Turks, was consumed with this pastry.

Early Christian writings, retained by the ancient Onomastica Sacra and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers, provide varied interpretations of Mary’s name. Among the prominent ones are “Bitter Sea,” “Myrrh of the Sea,” “The Light Giver,” “The Enlightened One,” “Lady,” “Seal of the Lord,” and “Mother of the Lord.” The root assumption for these interpretations is that the Hebrew version of the name is Maryãm, not Miryãm.

Between the time of St. Jerome and the 16th century, popular interpretations of Mary’s name in the West included “Lady,” “Bitter Sea,” “The Light Giver,” and most prominently, “Star of the Sea.” Stella Maris was the most favored interpretation.

However, the Renaissance brought about a revival of Hebraic studies, leading scholars to re-examine the meanings attributed to our Lady’s name. Miryãm appears to be a genuine Hebrew name, and there hasn’t been any concrete reason to dispute its Semitic origin. In Hebrew, Mary’s name, Miryãm (or Domina in Latin), translates to “lady” or “sovereign.” This underlines her significance in relation to her Son’s sovereign authority. Thus, when we refer to Mary as our Lady, just as we refer to Jesus as our Lord, we acknowledge her power, seek her assistance, and place ourselves under her protective care.

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1 Corinthians 10:14-22
Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18
Luke 6:43-49

1 Corinthians 10:14-22
(14) Because of this, most beloved of mine, flee from the worship of idols. (15) Since I am speaking to those who are prudent, judge what I say for yourselves. (16) The cup of benediction that we bless, is it not a communion in the Blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of the Lord? (17) Through the one bread, we, though many, are one body: all of us who are partakers of the one bread. (18) Consider Israel, according to the flesh. Are not those who eat from the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (19) What is next? Should I say that what is immolated to idols is anything? Or that the idol is anything? (20) But the things that the Gentiles immolate, they immolate to demons, and not to God. And I do not want you to become partakers with demons. (21) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons. You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and partakers of the table of demons. (22) Or should we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is? All is lawful to me, but not all is expedient.

Psalm 116:12-13, 17-18

Luke 6:43-49
(43) For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor does an evil tree produce good fruit. (44) For each and every tree is known by its fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather the grape from the bramble bush. (45) A good man, from the good storehouse of his heart, offers what is good. And an evil man, from the evil storehouse, offers what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (46) But why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say? (47) Anyone who comes to me, and listens to my words, and does them: I will reveal to you what he is like. (48) He is like a man building a house, who has dug deep and has laid the foundation upon the rock. Then, when the floodwaters came, the river was rushing against that house, and it was not able to move it. For it was founded upon the rock. (49) But whoever hears and does not do: he is like a man building his house upon the soil, without a foundation. The river rushed against it, and it soon fell down, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Saint Paphnutius, an Egyptian ascetic, was deeply influenced by the wisdom of the renowned St. Antony, spending years in desert contemplation under his guidance. Later, he was consecrated as the bishop of Upper Thebaid.

During the reign of Emperor Maximinus, Paphnutius faced severe persecution for his faith. He was subjected to brutal punishment – his right eye was gouged out, one of his legs was hamstrung, and he was then condemned to labor in the mines. Despite these severe tribulations, his spirit remained unbroken.

When peace was restored to the Church, Paphnutius returned to his flock. His physical scars were constant reminders of his unwavering devotion and sacrifices for his faith. His staunch defense of the Catholic belief against the Arian heresy showcased his unwavering commitment.

His prominence was evident at the first General Council of the Church in Nicaea, in 325. As a confessor who had suffered for his faith, he commanded immense respect.

Interestingly, despite his lifelong commitment to personal celibacy, St. Paphnutius stood against enforcing it for all clergy at the Council. He advocated for upholding the Church’s ancient tradition, which allowed clergy to marry before their ordination but not after. This tradition continues in the Eastern Churches today, where married men can receive all Holy Orders up to the bishopric and remain with their wives.

Known by some as “Paphnutius the Great” to differentiate him from saints bearing the same name, the details of his demise remain a mystery. His feast is celebrated every September 11th.

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1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27
Psalm 84:3-6, 12
Luke 6:39-42

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27
(16) For if I preach the Gospel, it is not glory for me. For an obligation has been laid upon me. And woe to me, if I do not preach the Gospel. (17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. But if I do this reluctantly, a dispensation is granted to me. (18) And what, then, would be my reward? So, when preaching the Gospel, I should give the Gospel without taking, so that I may not misuse my authority in the Gospel. (19) For when I was a free man to all, I made myself the servant of all, so that I might gain all the more. (22) To the weak, I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. To all, I became all, so that I might save all. (23) And I do everything for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may become its partner. (24) Do you not know that, of those who run in a race, all of them, certainly, are runners, but only one achieves the prize. Similarly, you must run, so that you may achieve. (25) And one who competes in a contest abstains from all things. And they do this, of course, so that they may achieve a corruptible crown. But we do this, so that we may achieve what is incorruptible. (26) And so I run, but not with uncertainty. And so I fight, but not by flailing in the air. (27) Instead, I chastise my body, so as to redirect it into servitude. Otherwise, I might preach to others, but become myself an outcast.

Psalm 84:3-6, 12
(3) My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have exulted in the living God. (4) For even the sparrow has found a home for himself, and the turtle-dove a nest for herself, where she may lay her young: your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God. (5) Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord. They will praise you from age to age. (6) Blessed is the man whose help is from you. In his heart, he is disposed to ascend (12) For God loves mercy and truth. The Lord will give grace and glory.

Luke 6:39-42
(39) Now he told them another comparison: “How can the blind lead the blind? Would they not both fall into a pit? (40) The disciple is not above his teacher. But each one will be perfected, if he is like his teacher. (41) And why do you see the straw that is in your brother’s eye, while the log that is in your own eye, you do not consider? (42) Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ while you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? Hypocrite, first remove the log from your own eye, and then will you see clearly, so that you may lead out the straw from your brother’s eye.

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Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!

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Born in 1245 in Ancona, Italy, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino was a cherished child, for his parents had longed for a child for many years. Their prayers and pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Nicholas of Bari were answered with his birth, and in gratitude, they named their son after the saint.

From an early age, Nicholas felt a strong pull towards the priesthood. Despite suggestions from family friends to pursue a prestigious and wealthy parish, Nicholas sought a more profound connection with God. His direction became clear one day when he overheard a passionate sermon by an Augustinian priest, Father Reginald, who spoke about the fleeting nature of worldly love. This sermon resonated deeply with Nicholas, leading him to join the Augustinian Friars, under the guidance of Father Reginald.

At the age of eighteen, Nicholas took his vows and continued his journey to become a priest. He was ordained around 1270 and dedicated himself to spreading God’s Word through preaching. A divine call during prayer led him to Tolentino, where he would spend the next thirty years of his life.

Tolentino was a town fraught with political turmoil, leading many away from the church. Recognizing the need to reach out, the Augustinian Friars initiated street-preaching, with Nicholas at the forefront. His heartfelt sermons in public spaces drew many back to the path of faith, leading to repentance and a renewed connection with God.

But Nicholas’s service wasn’t limited to preaching. In the impoverished areas, he provided solace to the lonely, administering sacraments to the sick, caring for children, and visiting prisoners. Miraculous events were often associated with him, including healing a sick child with a simple prayer.

After a year-long illness, Saint Nicholas of Tolentino passed away on September 10, 1305.

He was canonized as a saint in 1446 by Pope Eugene IV.

Photo credit: Public Domain via The Met

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