21st Sunday of the Year (B)

Liturgical Readings
Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 138
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

To be posted and published soon.

Memorial of Saints (August 24)

on August 24:

• Bartholomew, apostle;
  Learn more what happened to St. Bartholomew after Pentecost
• The Martyrs of Utica;
• Audoenus or Ouen, bishop

St. Ouen, a.k.a. as Owen or Audoenus, (ca. 610-684 A.D.) was born near Soissons, France. He was educated at Medard Abbey and was made chancellor by King Clotaire II's son. Ouen wanted to become a monk but was persuaded not to be one by Dagobert, the King's son. As a layman, he promoted religion and combatted simony. He continued to be chancellor when Clovis II was made king, was ordained in 641 A.D., and became archbishop of Rouen. Encouraging learning and the founding of new monasteries, he was known to be charitable - supporting missionary activities to pagan areas of his see.

Memorial of Saints (August 23)

Isabela de Oliva (also, Rose of Lima) (died 1617 A.D.): died at age 31; Peruvian mystic; nicknamed "Rosa" because of her beauty; OP tertiary who lived a life of penance and solitude, caring for the homeless, elderly and sick; first declared saint of the New World (1672 A.D.); patroness of South America, especially Peru; also of florists and gardeners. Proclaimed by Pius XII as Secondary Patroness of the Philippines.

also on August 23:

• Philip Benizi, confessor;
• Claudius, Asterius, Neon, Domnina and Theonilla, martyrs;
• Eugene or Eoghan, bishop

Philip Benizi (1233-1285 A.D.) studied medicine at Paris and Padua and began to practice it in Florence. After only a year in practice, he joined the Servites in 1254 A.D., and was ordained in 1258 A.D. at Siena. He assumed many posts in his community and despite his protests, he was soon elected prior general. He codified the rules of his Order and a number of miracles were attributed to him. When his name as a papal candidate was proposed by Cardinal Ottobuoni, he fled and hid in a cave until a new Pope was elected. He accomplished many other assignments until he retired to a Servite house at Todi because of health reasons. He was canonized in 1671 A.D.