O Christ, you commissioned your early disciples to preach your gospel to all the nations. Throughout the centuries, women like Mother Cabrini have left their native land, to spread the good news to all peoples. May we this day join with her example and zeal for others, world without end. Amen.

(from some book or from the website)

Scripture Reading:             Luke 17
When the Son of Man Arrives
Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, "The kingdom of God doesn't come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, "Look here!' or, "There it is!' And why? Because God's kingdom is already among you."

He went on to say to his disciples, "The days are coming when you are going to be desperately homesick for just a glimpse of one of the days of the Son of Man, and you won't see a thing. And they'll say to you, "Look over there!' or, "Look here!' Don't fall for any of that nonsense. The arrival of the Son of Man is not something you go out to see. He simply comes.

"You know how the whole sky lights up from a single flash of lightning? That's how it will be on the Day of the Son of Man. But first it's necessary that he suffer many things and be turned down by the people of today.

Response                     Psalm 119

GOD, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me--
my whole life one long, obedient response. R/

Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love travelling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot. R/

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me--
promises made to all who fear you. R/

See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Be good to your servant, GOD;
be as good as your Word. R/

Train me in good common sense;
I'm thoroughly committed to living your way.
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
but now I'm in step with your Word. R/

You are good, and the source of good;
train me in your goodness. R/

My troubles turned out all for the best--
they forced me to learn from your textbook. R/

What you say goes, GOD,
and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
Your truth never goes out of fashion;
it's as up--to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. R/

I'll never forget the advice you gave me;
you saved my life with those wise words.
Save me! I'm all yours.
I look high and low for your words of wisdom. R/

I see the limits to everything human,
but the horizons can't contain your commands! R/

Glory to you ... R/

Intercessions:

Christ our Redeemer, your Church has named Mother Cabrini the patron of emigrants;

You came to serve the lowly and poor;

As a child you fled to Egypt for safety;

You inspired Mother Cabrini to become a citizen of her new land;

Mother Cabrini served you in the sick and poor;

- may he work continue that they may know your love and your healing.

O God, we thank you for all the good you accomplished through the life of Mother Cabrini, ands through those who have followed her example. May countries be blessed with a greater desire to embrace those seeking freedom of refuge. We ask this through Jesus Christ who lives with you, Source of All Being, and with the Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.

Br. Nick Morris (Rome)