Today at the Cathedral: July 4, Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time

The Parish Offices are closed in observance of Independence Day.
There will be NO 12:05 p.m. Mass today.
Please enjoy the holiday safely!
The offices will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 5.

Today's Liturgy of the Hours can be found here.
Today's Mass readings can be found here.

The Saint of the Day is St. Elizabeth of Portugal, 1271 - 1336. Universalis tells us:

"She was the daughter of King Peter III of Aragón and was named after her great-aunt, St Elizabeth of Hungary. She was married to King Denis of Portugal, by whom she had two children. She set up hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions, patiently endured her husband’s infidelities and provided for the education of his bastards, and acted as peacemaker in the quarrelsome and complicated politics of the time.

On her husband’s death in 1325 she retired from public affairs and devoted herself to prayer and the service of the poor. Throughout her life she was faithful and regular in prayer, and daily recited the Liturgy of the Hours.

In 1336 her son, by now King Alfonso IV of Portugal, went to war against King Alfonso XI of Castile. Elizabeth followed the Portuguese army on the field in an effort to bring about peace. She succeeded, but the effort killed her.

The canonization of royal personages may seem offensive to our modern egalitarian principles; but though it may be hard to attain sanctity in a medieval kingdom or its equivalent, a modern corporation, with God nothing is impossible."

And finally, a prayer for the 4th of July:

"Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed your glory to all nations. God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.

We likewise commend to your unbounded mercy all citizens of the United States, that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your holy law. May we be preserved in union and that peace which the world cannot give; and, after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

We pray to you, who are Lord and God, for ever and ever. Amen."

--From The Roman Ritual, Book of Blessings (#1965)