Saturday, January 10, 2026

Saturday After the Epiphany of the Lord

Christmas Time

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — 1 John 5:14-21

And this is the confidence which we have towards him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to his will, he heareth us. And we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask: we know that we have the petitions which we request of him. He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask. All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not: but the generation of God preserveth him and the wicked one toucheth him not. We know that we are of God and the whole world is seated in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come. And he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Feast Days

Gonçalo de Amarante Catholic priest, Dominican friar 1187–1259

Saint Gonçalo de Amarante was born in 1187 in Portugal to a noble family. Tradition recalls that even as an infant at his baptism he fixed his gaze on the crucifix, a sign of the love for Christ that would mark his whole life. Ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Braga, he embraced simplicity of heart, distributing his wealth to his nephews and serving faithfully in the parish of Saint Paio de Vizela. Longing to deepen his devotion, he obtained permission to make a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem, venerating the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul before journeying onward. After more than a decade he returned, changed by prayer and austerity, only to be rejected by the nephew he had left in charge. In this humiliation he discerned God’s call to the Order of Preachers, living as a Dominican hermit in service of the people. Beloved for his charity, he is remembered for building a bridge over the Tâmega River and for miracles that provided food and drink for laborers. He died on January 10, 1259; his feast is celebrated on January 10, and he is honored as patron of Amarante and places bearing his name.

Gregory I Pope (Bishop of Rome), Monk, Theologian, Writer, Diplomat, Doctor of the Church 540–604

Gregory was born around 540 in Rome, into a noble Christian family during a time of plague, war, and upheaval in Italy. Well educated and gifted in public service, he rose quickly and became Prefect of Rome while still a young man. Yet his heart was drawn to God: after his father’s death he turned his family home on the Caelian Hill into a monastery dedicated to Saint Andrew, embracing prayer, poverty, and contemplation. Called back into service of the Church, Gregory became a papal ambassador and in 590 was elected the 64th Bishop of Rome. As pope he proved a wise shepherd and tireless administrator, caring for the poor and strengthening the Church’s mission. He is especially remembered for sending the Gregorian mission to the Anglo-Saxons, helping bring England to Christ, and for restoring Catholic unity in lands shaped by Arian divisions and other heresies. His many writings and his renewal of Christian worship earned him the title “the Great,” and he is honored as a Doctor of the Church and one of the great Latin Fathers. He is patron of musicians and teachers, and is also invoked in places such as Ambria and Basiano. His feast day is March 25.