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.
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.
