Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Today the Church offers two Optional Memorials:

Speaking on October 9 to representatives of leading news agencies, Pope Leo XIV said: “I urge you: never sell out your authority!”

The Pontiff observed that “news and media agencies are undergoing a period of crisis,” as those who consume the news become ever more prone to “mistaking the false for the true and the authentic for the artificial.”

“Information is a public good that we should all protect,” the Pope said. As powerful algorithms control access to the news, it becomes increasingly vital for dedicated journalists to “act as a barrier against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing.”

“The world needs free, rigorous, and objective information,” Pope Leo insisted.

At an October 9 meeting with representatives of Catholic Charities USA, Pope Leo XIV characterized them as “agents of hope for the millions of people who approach the Church in the United States of American seeking compassion and care.”

The Pope stressed the importance of the work done by Catholic Charities, particularly in welcoming immigrants. He said:

In a special way, Catholic migrants and refugees have become missionaries of hope in many nations, including your own, by bringing with them a vibrant faith and the popular devotions that often re-energize the parishes who welcome them.

The Latin-rite Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement welcoming a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and expressing “ardent hope” that the agreement will be honored and become “the beginning of the end of this terrible war.”

The statement underlined the “absolute urgency” of bringing humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza, and called for prayer “that this step may open a path to healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

The commemorations in today's Roman Martyrology include:

The Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary was instituted to honor Mary for the Christian victory over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571. Pope St. Pius V and all Christians had prayed the Rosary for victory. The Rosary, or the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the best prayers to Mary, the Mother of God.

Today the Universal Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Bruno (1030-1101), who was born in Cologne, Germany. He became a priest and achieved fame as a professor of theology at Rheims. He decided to leave the world and pursue a life of complete solitude and prayer. He established his hermitage in Chartreuse, near Grenoble, France. Soon he attracted disciples and he established the first monastery of Carthusian monks. Pope Urban II called him to Rome, but later Bruno was able to establish a second monastery in Italy. He died in 1101 at Calabria.

Gospel Excerpt, Lk 17:5-10: "If one of you had a servant plowing or herding sheep and he came in from the fields, would you say to him, 'Come and sit down at table'? Would you not rather say, 'Prepare my supper. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink afterward'? Would he be grateful to the servant who was only carrying out his orders? It is quite the same with you who hear me. When you have done all you have been commanded to do, say, 'We are useless servants. We have done no more than our duty (Lk 17:7-10).'"

The Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) is celebrated universally today. Francis Bernardone was born and died in Assisi. He was the son of a rich merchant, Pietro Bernardone, received a good education, and in the beginning followed the ways of the world. He was taken prisoner in the battle between the Assisians and Perugians, and after his release decided to abandon everything for Christ. His father became extremely displeased at his action, and disinherited him. In 1220 he founded a new order which in ten years numbered five thousand brothers. His followers were called Friars Minor because they were to consider themselves as the least among religious. Out of humility Francis never accepted the priesthood but remained a deacon all his life. He had a great love for God's creatures and called them his brothers and sisters. His ardent love of God merited for him the name of Seraphic. He is also nicknamed God's Fool and Il Poverello (The little poor one).

Today the Roman Martyrology includes in commemorations: