Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church

The US calendar celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), who devoted himself to the service of the poor and the sick. He is best known for his apostolic zeal and his great penances. He founded the Congregation of the Passionists. (St. Paul's Optional Memorial on the General Roman Calendar is October 19, but USA particular calendar transfers it to the next day.)

Gospel Excerpt, Luke 18:1-8: Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, "There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary,' For a long time the judge was unwilling; but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me, I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'" The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

The Church celebrates the Feast of St. Luke, the inspired author of the third Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles, was a native of Antioch in Syria and a physician, and one of the early converts from paganism. He accompanied St. Paul on a considerable part of his missionary journey. He was also his companion while in prison at Rome on two different occasions. His account of these events, contained in the Acts, is firsthand history.