January 15
Blessed Louis Variara, presbyter
optional memorial
Louis Variara was born at Viarigi (Asti) on January 15, 1875. He entered the Oratory in 1887 and professed his vows as a Salesian in 1892. Two years later he departed for Colombia at the invitation of Fr. Michael Unia, apostle of the lepers, and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to that heroic work at Agua di Dios.
After his ordination at Bogotà in 1898, he returned to Agua di Dios. There he founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts, whose aim was to offer to leprous children the opportunity of religious consecration to the Lord, particularly by serving as nurses to those afflicted by that disease. This religious institute finally acquired pontifical approval in 1964. Fr. Variara founded a school of music among the lepers, teaching both choral and instrumental music. He also encouraged theatrical productions. These activities lightened the burdens of disease. He died at Cúcuta on February 1, 1923.
Conspicuous in Fr. Variara was boundless zeal for the salvation of souls, a spirit of sacrifice whatever it might cost him, and total abandonment to God’s will. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 14, 2002, during the 25th General Chapter.
Mass texts from the Common of Pastors or the Common of Holy Men and Women, except the proper collect.
Collect
O God, source of all goodness,
through the death and resurrection of your Son
you saved the world.
Graciously grant that
through the intercession of your priest Blessed Louis Variara
we may share in the sufferings of Christ with patience
and everywhere bear witness to your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
The readings are taken from the weekday lectionary. If it seems opportune for pastoral reasons, selections may be made from the Common of Pastors or the Common of Holy Men and Women.
The preface may be chosen from those of the weekdays in Ordinary Time (P 37-42), or of Pastors (P 67), or of Virgins and Religious (P 68), or of Holy Men and Women (P 69-70), or the proper prefaces of Eucharistic Prayer II or Eucharistic Prayer IV.
Blessed Artemides Zatti, religious
commemoration
Mass texts from the Common of Common of Holy Men and Women (white vestments) or from the Lenten weekday (purple vestments), except the proper collect.
Collect
O God,
in the humble and little ones
you show in a wonderful way the great works of your grace.
We humbly pray that
through the intercession of Blessed Artemides Zatti
we may recognize ever more clearly each day
the face of Christ
in our brothers and sisters who are suffering in mind and body.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
The readings are taken from the Lenten weekday lectionary.
One of the Lenten prefaces (P 8-11) is used, or the proper preface of Eucharistic Prayer II or Eucharistic Prayer IV.
July 7
Blessed Maria Romero, virgin
optional memorial
Mass texts from the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Men and Women, except the proper collect.
Collect
O God, Father of all consolation,
you show your people signs of your goodness and mercy.
Grant that
through the intercession of the virgin Blessed Maria Romero
we too may console those undergoing any kind of trial
and on the day of judgment
may be numbered among the blessed.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
The readings are taken from the weekday lectionary. If it seems opportune for pastoral reasons, selections may be made from the Common of Virgins or the Common of Holy Men and Women.
The preface may be chosen from those of the weekdays in Ordinary Time (P 37-42), or of Virgins and Religious (P 68), or of Holy Men and Women (P 69-70), or the proper prefaces of Eucharistic Prayer II or Eucharistic Prayer IV.
