Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin



“There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them." (Mark 8:9)

Saint Jerome offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel:

“From the lesser number of men [four thousand], less remains; from the greater number [five thousand], more is left over. Four thousand men—fewer certainly in number, but greater in faith. The one who is greater in faith eats more, and because he does, there is less left over! I wish that we, too, might eat more of the hardy bread of holy writ, so that there would be less left over for us to learn.” (Tractate on the Gospel of Mark, Homily 78)



As we celebrate anew
the Memorial of the Virgin
Saint Scholastica,
we pray, O Lord,
that, following her example,
we may serve You with pure love
and happily receive what comes from loving You.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.




Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen!