Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Our Lady of the Rosary

memorial Ordinary Time

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14

Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. And I went up according to revelation and communicated to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles: but apart to them who seemed to be some thing: lest perhaps I should run or had run in vain. But contrariwise, when they had seen that to me was committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, as to Peter was that of the circumcision. (For he who wrought in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision wrought in me also among the Gentiles.) And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship: that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision: Only that we should be mindful of the poor: which same thing also I was careful to do. But when Cephas was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that some came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision. And to his dissimulation the rest of the Jews consented: so that Barnabas also was led by them into that dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles and not as the Jews do, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Feast Days

Justina of Padua Virgin, Martyr 300–304

Saint Justina of Padua was born in Padua, Italy, to a noble family, sometime between the first and third centuries. Tradition remembers her as the long-awaited child of Vitalian, a wealthy prefect, and his wife, who came to faith through the preaching of Saint Prosdocimus, Padua’s first bishop. From her earliest years Justina loved Christ deeply and, desiring to belong to Him alone, she embraced a vow of perpetual virginity. When persecution of Christians intensified under Diocletian and Maximian, Justina did not hide her faith. She visited imprisoned believers, strengthening them with compassion and courage. Seized near Padua and brought before the prefect Maximian, she endured threats and persuasion without wavering. Remaining steadfast in her confession of Christ, she was condemned and put to death by the sword, a virgin martyr whose witness has inspired generations. Venerated as patroness of Padua and honored in many places, she is invoked especially in Arcugnano, Auronzo di Cadore, Enego, and other communities that bear her name. Her feast day is October 7.

Mark Pope, Bishop of Rome, Catholic priest 300–336

Saint Mark was born in Rome, though little is known of his early years; tradition records that his father was named Priscus. He was chosen as Bishop of Rome on January 18, 336, succeeding Pope Sylvester I during the peaceful years that followed Constantine’s legalization of Christianity. Though his pontificate was brief, Mark is remembered for strengthening the Church’s order and worship in the city of the apostles. He is associated with the beginnings of the Church’s early calendars of bishops and martyrs, a quiet but lasting service to Christian memory. He is also credited with confirming the special role of the Bishop of Ostia in consecrating newly elected popes, and with founding the Basilica of San Marco in Rome, along with a cemetery church near the Catacomb of Balbina on land donated by Constantine. Mark died naturally on October 7, 336, and was buried in the Catacomb of Balbina; his relics were later enshrined at San Marco. He is especially venerated at Abbadia San Salvatore. His feast day is October 7.