Today’s Readings – Our Lady, Mother and Queen

Commentary on Isaiah 9:1-7; Luke 1:26-38

Today’s celebration occurs on the octave day of the Assumption of Our Lady. In that feast we celebrate the reunion of Mary with her Son on the day of her death. She is the first to join Jesus in eternal glory on the basis that she is the only person, apart from her Son, who was totally free from sin all her life. As the first of the human race in rank before God’s presence, and as the Mother of Christ our King, she is given the title of Queen.

The Gospel reading is the account of the Annunciation taken from Luke’s Gospel. Just prior to this passage is the story of the announcement of the conception of John the Baptist to Elizabeth, who was, in the normal course of things, beyond child-bearing age. Now, six months into Elizabeth’s preg … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – Saint Pius X, Pope

The future Pope Pius X was born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto at Riese, near Venice, on 2 June, 1835. He was the second of 10 children in a poor family, his father being the village postman.

On 18 September, 1858, Giuseppe Sarto was ordained priest and became curate at Tombolo. While there, … Continue