30 January

Memorial of Blessed Bronislaw Markiewicz, priest,

founder of the Congregations of St Michael the Archangel,

Proper of the Mass

Born in Pruchnik, Poland, on the 13^th of July1842, he was ordained a priest on the 15^th of September 1867. Following eighteen years of zealous and fruitful priestly ministry in the Diocese of Przemysl, he entered the Salesian Congregation and became a disciple of St. John Bosco. In 1897, he founded the Congregations of the Michaelite Sisters and the Michaelite Fathers. Filled with love of God and of neighbour, and working in the spirit of “work and temperance”, he dedicated his life to abandoned and rejected orphans, to poor children and to abandoned youth who were morally deprived, He died on the 29^th of January 1912.

Entrance Antiphon

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,

for he has anointed me.

He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,

to proclaim liberty to captives

and to the blind new sight,

to set the downtrodden free,

to proclaim the Lord's year of favour. Lk 4:16-21

Collect

Almighty and merciful God,

you chose Blessed Bronislaus to be a father

and protector of abandoned youth.

Grant that we may be encouraged

by his example of hard work and temperance

to carry out your will faithfully

and zealously serve you.

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.

First Reading

A reading from the prophet Isaiah61:1-3.

The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for the Lord has anointed me.

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up hearts that are broken;

to proclaim liberty to captives,

freedom to those in prison;

to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord, a day of vengeance for our God;

to comfort all those who mourn and to give them for ashes a garland;

for mourning robe the oil of gladness,

for despondency, praise.

This is the word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 88:2-5. 21-22. 25. 27

The Lord is faithful and merciful forever

1. I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;

through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.

Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,

that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

2. `I have made a covenant with my chosen one;

I have sworn to David my servant:

I will establish your dynasty for ever

and set up your throne through all ages.

3 `I have found David my servant

and with my holy oil anointed him.

My hand shall always be with him

and my arm shall make him strong.

4 `My truth and my love shall be with him;

by my name his might shall be exalted.

He will say to me: "You are my father,

my God, the rock who saves me."'

Second Reading

A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Romans 12:3-13

In the light of the grace I have received I want to urge each one among you not to exaggerate his real importance. Each of you must judge himself soberly by the standard of the faith God has given him. Just as each of our bodies has several parts and each part has a separate function, so all of us, in union with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other. Our gifts differ according to the grace given us. If your gift is prophecy, then use it as your faith suggests; if administration, then use it for administra­tion; if teaching, then use it for teaching. Let the preachers deliver sermons, the almsgivers give freely, the officials be diligent, and those who do works of mercy do them cheerfully.

Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on Praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care.

This is the word of the Lord.

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia

The one who makes himself as little as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mt 18 4). Alleluia

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, `Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts

Almighty God, accept the gifts

which we present to you

on this memorial of Blessed Bronislaw

and grant that, following his example, in serving our neighbour,

we may merit the gift of eternal life.

Communion Antiphon.

Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11,28).

Prayer after Communion

O God, Our Father, grant that we

who have been nourished with the body and Blood of your Son

may become one body and one Spirit, in imitating the fervent and untiring love of Blessed Bronislaw. Through Christ our Lord

From the “Writings of Blessed Bronislaw Markiewicz

(Powściągliwość i Praca (Temperance and Work) 1904, pp.73-74