COLLECT
Grant, we pray, almighty God, that the revered intercession of Saint Hedwig may bring us heavenly aid, just as her wonderful life is an example of humility for all. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING Proverbs 31, 10-13. 19-20. 30-31
a woman who fears Yahweh
A reading from the Book of Proverbs
Who can find a worthy woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.
She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!
The world of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 103: 1-4. 8. 13. 17-18
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the Lord, O my soul:
and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits:
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!
Who pardons all your iniquities;
he heals all your ills,
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!
Merciful and gracious is the Lord,
slow to anger, and abounding in kindness.
He will not always chide:
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows how we are formed;
He remembers that we are dust.
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!
But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity
To eternity towards those who fear him
And his justice towards his children’s children;
Among those who keep his convenant
R: O bless the Lord, my soul!

SECOND READING 1 TIm 5: 3-10
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy.
Beloved:
Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these first learn to perform their religious duty to their own family and to make recompense to their parents, for this is pleasing to God. The real widow, who is all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives. Command this, so that they may be irreproachable. And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years old, married only once with a reputation for good works, namely that she has raised children,
practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the holy ones, helped those in distress, involved herself in every good work.
The world of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Mt 5,6
Alleluja, alleluja, alleluja
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Alleluja, alleluja, alleluja

GOSPEL Mark 3, 31-35
Christ is teaching a prayer
+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
Jesus’ mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you.”
But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
The Gospel of the Lord.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Strengthened by the word of God, let us humbly ask God for mercy, for us and the whole world.
1. For the Church: that it may become a noticeable sign of mercy and draw modern people to God.
2. For all people who lead and rule nations: that their actions carry justice and mercy.
3. For those who live in sin and lost faith in obtaining forgiveness: that prayer, and the examples of their Christian brothers, may help them turn with trust to the merciful God.
4. For the attendants of World Youth Day, and all youth in the world: that the good Lord may bring hope, faith and love into their lives.
5. For the elderly, alone, sick, abandoned, in pain and unemployed: that they may place their faith in God’s Mercy and receive all help they need.
6. For our community: that with St. Hedwig’s intercession, everyone’s hearts may be open to the gift of God’s Mercy.
Almighty, merciful God, let us with deep faith relive the mystery of your endless love and mercy, and may all people appreciate the gift of belonging to children of God. Grant what we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Look with favor, O Lord, on the sacrificial offering of your people, and their devout celebration in honor of blessed Hedwig, may they experience Your power to save. Through Christ our Lord.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We are replenished, O Lord, with the gifts we have received on the feast day of blessed Hedwig; grant, we pray, that we may be purified by their effects, and strengthened by the help they bring. Through Christ our Lord.