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The Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Virgin

optional memorial Ordinary Time
Mass Readings → Liturgy of the Hours →

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Revelation 4:1-11

After these things I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must be done hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit. And behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and upon the throne one sitting. And he that sat was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine stone. And there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments. And on their heads were crowns of gold. And from the throne proceeded lightnings and voices and thunders. And there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And in the sight of the throne was, as it were, a sea of glass like to crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind. And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings: and round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come. And when those living creatures gave glory and honour and benediction to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever: The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne and adored him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power. Because thou hast created all things: and for thy will they were and have been created.

Feast Days

Elizabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary Princess of Hungary, Landgravine of Thuringia, Secular Franciscan tertiary, Nurse, Philanthropist 1207–1231

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary was born on July 7, 1207, in the Kingdom of Hungary, traditionally at Sárospatak (though some place her birth at Pozsony, today Bratislava). Daughter of King Andrew II, she was sent as a child to the court of Thuringia in Germany and, at fourteen, married Louis IV, the landgrave. Their marriage was marked by a shared openness to God’s will, and when Franciscan friars arrived in 1223, Elizabeth embraced the spirit of Saint Francis with ardent love for the poor. During years of famine and plague, she distributed alms freely, even giving away courtly treasures to relieve suffering. Widowed at twenty when Louis died on the way to the Crusade, she chose a life of simplicity and vowed herself to Christ. With her recovered dowry she built a hospital at Marburg, where she personally served the sick and destitute. Elizabeth died there on November 17, 1231, only twenty-four years old. Miracles of healing soon surrounded her tomb, and she was quickly canonized. She is honored as a patroness of the Third Order of Saint Francis and is venerated in places dedicated under her name. Her feast day is November 17.

 Romanus of Caesarea
Romanus of Caesarea Deacon, Martyr 201–303

Saint Romanus of Caesarea was born in the early centuries of the Church; the details of his birthplace are not known, but he served as a deacon of Caesarea in Palestine. At the outset of the Diocletianic Persecution around 303, Romanus was living in Antioch, where he strengthened the faithful with courageous words, urging Christians to stand firm when fear and compromise were everywhere. During a public pagan festival, Romanus boldly rebuked the worship of idols. For this he was arrested and condemned to die by fire, bound to a stake as a witness to Christ. When rain extinguished the flames, he was brought before Emperor Galerius, who ordered Romanus’ tongue cut out—yet his testimony could not be silenced. After further torments in prison, Romanus was finally put to death by strangling, sealing his confession with martyrdom. Venerated as a steadfast deacon and martyr, he is honored as patron of Freguesia de Cabeça and Lloret de Mar. His feast day is November 18.