DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin [In The Dioceses Of The United States]

NB:  No readings have been assigned. According the the USCCB, readings may be taken from the Common of Virgins, #731-736, or the Common of Holy Men and Women: For Religious, #737-742.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Bruno, Priest

First Reading:  Philippians 3:8-14

Furthermore I count all things to be but loss for the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but as dung, that I may gain Christ:  And may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, which is of God, justice in faith:  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death, If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead. Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6

R.  Psalm 40 (39):5a

     Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord;

OR

R.  Psalm 1:2a

     But his will is in the law of the Lord,

OR

R.  cf. Psalm 92 (91):13-14

     The just shall flourish like the palm tree:...in the courts of the house of our God.

V.  Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,

     nor stood in the way of sinners,

     nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

     But his will is in the law of the Lord,

     and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

V.  And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters,

     which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season.

     And his leaf shall not fall off:

     and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

V.  Not so the wicked, not so:

     but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.

     For the Lord knoweth the way of the just:

     and the way of the wicked shall perish.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:57-62

And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. But he said to another: Follow me. And he said: Lord, suffer me first to go, and to bury my father. And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou, and preach the kingdom of God. And another said: I will follow thee, Lord; but let me first take my leave of them that are at my house. Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 10/6/2025.

DR Squared: Tuesday Of The Twenty-Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Galatians 1:13-24

For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. And I made progress in the Jews' religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased him, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately I condescended not to flesh and blood. Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus. Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and I tarried with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles I saw none, saving James the brother of the Lord. Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ:  But they had heard only: He, who persecuted us in times past, doth now preach the faith which once he impugned:  And they glorified God in me.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 139 (138):24b; V. 1b-3, 13-14ab, 14c-15 (DR--1-4a, 13-14ab, 14c-15)

R.  (A)nd lead me in the eternal way.

V.  Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:

     Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.

     Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off:

     my path and my line thou hast searched out.

     And thou hast foreseen all my ways:

V.  For thou hast possessed my reins:

     thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.

     I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified:

     wonderful are thy works,

V.  (A)nd my soul knoweth right well.

     My bone is not hidden from thee,

     which thou hast made in secret:

     and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:  But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The readings from the USCCB can be found

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest [In The Dioceses Of The United States]

There are no assigned readings; they may be selected from the Common of Pastors:  For Missionaries (#719-724). This post will not have a Douay-Rhimes submission.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Virgin

First Reading:  Ephesians 3:14-19

For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man, That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in charity, You may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth:  To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 103 (102):1b; V. 1bc-2, 3-4, 8-9, 13-14, 17-18a

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

V.  Bless the Lord, O my soul:

     and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

     Bless the Lord, O my soul,

     and never forget all he hath done for thee.

V.  Who forgiveth all thy iniquities:

     who healeth all thy diseases.

     Who redeemeth thy life from destruction:

     who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

V.  The Lord is compassionate and merciful:

     longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.

     He will not always be angry:

     nor will he threaten for ever.

V.  As a father hath compassion on his children,

     so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:

     For he knoweth our frame.

     He remembereth that we are dust:

V.  But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity

     upon them that fear him:

     And his justice unto children's children,

     To such as keep his covenant,

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him. Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

DR Squared: Monday Of The Twenty-Seventh Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Galatians 1:6-12

I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel. Which is not another, only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it; but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 111 (110):5b; V. 1b-2, 7-8, 9, 10c (DR--1-2, 7b-8, 9,10c)

R.  He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:

V.  I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart;

     in the council of the just: and in the congregation.

     Great are the works of the Lord:

     sought out according to all his wills.

V.  (T)he works of his hands are truth and judgment.

     All his commandments are faithful:

     confirmed for ever and ever,

     made in truth and equity.

V.  He hath sent redemption to his people:

     he hath commanded his covenant for ever.

     Holy and terrible is his name:

     his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:25-37

And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life? But he said to him: What is written in the law? how readest thou? He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead. And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee. Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers? But he said: He that shewed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.

The readings from the USCCB can be found 

About St. Francis of Assisi

New Advent, Catholic Online, and EWTN provide great articles about the very first Franciscan.

And two of his most famous prayers:

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O Lord, make me an instrument of Thy Peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, harmony;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light, and
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not
so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand; to be loved
as to love; for it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

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Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which you give your creatures sustenance.

Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water; she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.

Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom you brighten the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.

Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth, who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you; through those who endure sickness and trial. Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.

Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whose embrace no living person can escape. 

Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Happy those she finds doing your most holy will. The second death can do no harm to them.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.

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(UPDATE: 10/4/2013): Here is an article stating the first prayer may not be attributed to him.

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Originally posted 10/4/2006.
Re-posted 10/4/2011.
Re-posted 10/3/2012.
Re-posted 10/4/2013.

Re-posted 10/4/2017.

Re-posted 10/4/2021.

Re-posted 10/4/2022.

Re-posted 10/4/2023.

Re-posted 10/4/2024.

Re-posted 10/4/2025.

DR Squared: Twenty-Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Isaiah 5:1-7

I will sing to my beloved the canticle of my cousin concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof, and set up a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it broutht forth wild grapes. And now, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye men of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard. What is there that I ought to do more to my vineyard, that I have not done to it? And now I will shew you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be wasted: I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down. And I will make it desolate: it shall not be pruned, and it shall not be digged: but briers and thorns shall come up: and I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel: and the man of Juda, his pleasant plant: and I looked that he should do judgment, and behold iniquity: and do justice, and behold a cry.

Responsorial Psalm:  Isaiah 5:7a; V. Psalm 80 (79):9, 12, 13-14, 15-16, 19-20

R.  For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel:

V.  Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt:

     thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.

     It stretched forth its branches unto the sea,

     and its boughs unto the river.

V.  Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof,

     so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?

     The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste:

     and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.

V.  Turn again, O God of hosts,

     look down from heaven, and see,

     and visit this vineyard:

     And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted:

     and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

V.  And we depart not from thee,

     thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

     O Lord God of hosts, convert us:

     and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.

Second Reading:  Philippians 4:6-9

Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 21:33-43

Hear ye another parable. There was a man an householder, who planted a vineyard, and made a hedge round about it, and dug in it a press, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen; and went into a strange country. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits thereof. And the husbandmen laying hands on his servants, beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants more than the former; and they did to them in like manner. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying: They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves: This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. And taking him, they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? They say to him: He will bring those evil men to an evil end; and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, that shall render him the fruit in due season. Jesus saith to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this has been done; and it is wonderful in our eyes. Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. 

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17 (DR--1-3, 5-6, 12-16)

Then Job answered the Lord, and said:  I know that thou canst do all things, and no thought is hid from thee. Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things that above measure exceeded my knowledge. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee. Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes. And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. And he had seven sons, and three daughters. And he called the names of one Dies, and the name of the second Cassia, and the name of the third Cornustibil. And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children, and his children's children, unto the fourth generation, and he died an old man, and full of days.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 119 (118):135a; V. 66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130

R.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant:

V.  Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge;

     for I have believed thy commandments.

V.  It is good for me that thou hast humbled me,

     that I may learn thy justifications.

V.  I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity:

     and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

V.  By thy ordinance the day goeth on:

     for all things serve thee.

V.  I am thy servant: give me understanding

     that I may know thy testimonies.

V.  The declaration of thy words giveth light:

     and giveth understanding to little ones.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 10:17-24

And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, the devils also are subject to us in thy name. And he said to them: I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven. Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall hurt you. But yet rejoice not in this, that spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven. In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Ghost, and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me by my Father; and no one knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and to whom the Son will reveal him. And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that you see, and have not seen them; and to hear the things that you hear, and have not heard them.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Memorial Of The Guardian Angels

First Reading:  Exodus 23:20-23

Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice, and do not think him one to be contemned: for he will not forgive when thou hast sinned, and my name is in him. But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee. And my angel shall go before thee, and shall bring thee in unto the Amorrhite, and the Hethite, and the Pherezite, and the Chanaanite, and the Hevite, and the Jebusite, whom I will destroy.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 91 (90):11; V. 1-2, 3-4ab, 4c-6, 10-11

R.  For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

V.  He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High,

     shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.

     He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge:

     my God, in him will I trust.

V.  For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters:

     and from the sharp word.

     He will overshadow thee with his shoulders:

     and under his wings thou shalt trust.

V.  His truth shall compass thee with a shield:

     thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.

     Of the arrow that flieth in the day,

     of the business that walketh about in the dark:

     of invasion, or of the noonday devil.

V.  There shall no evil come to thee:

     nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.

     For he hath given his angels charge over thee;

     to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them, And said: Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 10/2/2025.