July 2021 - Overview for the Month
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
The
Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Simon Stock, holding in her hand
a scapular, and directed him to found a Confraternity whose members
should wear this scapular and consecrate themselves to her service.
The Sabbatine privilege will then insure their early release from
Purgatory on the Saturday after their death. 
The month of July is dedicated to The Precious Blood of Jesus. The entire month falls within the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.
Social Friendship: We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship. (See also Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network)
The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated during the month of July are:
1. Junípero Serra (USA),Opt. Mem.
3. Thomas, Apostle,Feast
4. FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME,Sunday
5. Anthony Mary Zaccaria; Elizabeth of Portugal, Queen (USA),Opt. Mem.
6. Maria Goretti,Opt. Mem.
9. Augustine Zhao Rong & companions,Opt. Mem.
11. FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME,Sunday
13. Henry,Opt. Mem.
14. Kateri Tekakwitha (USA),Memorial
15. Bonaventure,Memorial
16. Our Lady of Mount Carmel,Opt. Mem.
18. SIXTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME,Sunday
20. Apollinaris,Opt. Mem.
21. Lawrence of Brindisi,Opt. Mem.
22. Mary Magdalene,Feast
23. Bridget,Opt. Mem.
24. Sharbel (Charbel) Makhloof,Opt. Mem.
25. SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME,Sunday
26. Joachim and Anne,Memorial
29. Martha, Mary and Lazarus,Memorial
30. Peter Chrysologus; Solanus Casey,Opt. Mem.
31. Ignatius of Loyola,Memorial
The Gospel readings for the Sundays in July 2021 are taken from St. Mark and St. John— all are from Year B, Cycle 1.
July 4th - 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Our Lord teaches in the synagogue and is rejected by those present. |
July 11th - 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Jesus sends out the twelve apostles and gives them authority over unclean spirits. |
July 18th - 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
Jesus invites the Apostles to "come away and rest a while." |
July 25th - 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time |
This Gospel tells the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. |
July
is usually hot and a time for relaxing.
It is also the time when crops planted in the Spring are maturing
and growing. Just as the crops are dependent upon summer rains not
only to grow but to survive so our spiritual development is dependent
upon our frequenting the sacraments and receiving the Blood of Christ.
The main feasts of this month are St. Junipero Serra (July 1), St. Thomas the Apostle (July 3), St. Anthony Mary and St. Elizabeth of Portugal (July 5), St. Maria Goretti, (July 6), St. Augustine Zhao Rong (July 9), St. Henry (July 13), Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha (USA - July 14), St. Bonaventure (July 15), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16),St. Apollinaris (Junly 20), St. Lawrence of Brindisi (July 21), St. Mary Magdalene (July 22), St. Bridget (July 23), St. Sharbel (July 24), Sts. Joachim and Anne (July 26), St. Peter Chrysologus (July 30), St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31).
The feasts of St. Benedict (July 11), St. Camillus (July 18),and St. James (July 25) are superseded by the Sunday liturgy.
The
Blood that coursed through the veins of Christ was a part of that
Sacred Humanity made possible by the maternity of Mary, whose parents,
St. Joachim and St. Anne are honored this month. (July 26). Our Lord's
blood poured out on the Cross purchased our salvation, washed clean
the robes of the martyrs, and gave birth to the Church as it flowed
from his wounded side. The Precious Blood of Christ — now pulsing
through his Mystical Body — continues its salvific work, preserving
and purifying, repairing and providing nourishment for regeneration
and renewal of its members.
July’s longer and warmer days also provide us with the opportunity for renewal, both interior and exterior. Schedules relax and pressures ease, inviting travel. But, whether we travel or not, like the missionary, St. Junipero Serra (July 1), we preach to others — by our conduct, our speech, even the clothes we wear. May we be modest in everything we do, imitating St. Maria Goretti, the young martyr for purity (July 6), and “preaching” Christ to everyone we meet.
The summer Readings of Ordinary Time remind us that our earthly pilgrimage is also a journey, a great adventure towards union with Christ, the Beginning and the End of our journey. Each Sunday with its Easter renewal becomes a mile marker along the way, linking where we have been with where we are going. May the Precious Blood of Jesus sustain us as we journey to our true home, with Mary and the angels as our companions on the way.
