Saint of the day · July 10
Ferial Day
Liturgical colour : Green
Today, the Church observes a 'ferial' day, which simply means it is an ordinary weekday in the liturgical calendar without a specific saint's memorial or feast assigned to it. In Ordinary Time, such ferial days offer Christians an opportunity to reflect on the regular rhythm of daily life, integrating prayer, work, and charity. The liturgy focuses on the ongoing journey of discipleship, inviting the faithful to discover Christ’s presence in the 'ordinary' and to deepen their relationship with God through the daily readings and celebration of the Eucharist.
During Ordinary Time, the scriptures read at Mass guide believers to contemplate the life and teachings of Jesus, to grow in virtue, and to live out the Gospel in their everyday circumstances. Ferial days remind us that holiness is not only found in grand gestures or extraordinary events but also in the quiet faithfulness of living each day in communion with God. The green vestments worn by the priest symbolize hope and growth, highlighting the call to perseverance in faith. In this way, even an 'ordinary' day in the Church’s year becomes a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and gratitude.
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Local variations
- Africa — St. Marciana, virgin and martyr
The liturgical day
Mass readings
"We will no longer say to the work of our hands: 'You are our God'" — Os 14, 2-10
Thus says the Lord:
Return, Israel, to the Lord your God;
for you have collapsed because of your sins.
Return to the Lord
presenting these words to him:
"Remove all guilt, and accept what is good.
Instead of bulls, we offer you
the words of our lips as sacrifice.
Since the Assyrians cannot save us,
we will no longer mount horses,
and we will no longer say to the work of our hands:
'You are our God,'
because from you alone does the orphan receive compassion."
Here is the Lord's response:
I will heal them of their unfaithfulness,
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from Israel.
I will be like the dew to Israel,
he shall bloom like the lily,
he will send out his roots like the trees of Lebanon.
His young shoots will grow,
his splendor will be like that of the olive tree,
his fragrance, like the forest of Lebanon.
They will come back to sit in his shade,
they will revive the wheat,
they will flourish like the vine,
they will be renowned like the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim! Can you compare me to idols?
It is I who answer you and watch over you.
I am like an evergreen cypress,
it is I who give you your fruit.
Who then is wise enough
to understand these things,
clear-sighted enough to grasp them?
Yes, the ways of the Lord are straight:
the righteous walk in them,
but sinners stumble on them.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 50 (51), 3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14.17
Have mercy on me, O God, in your love,
according to your great mercy, blot out my sin.
Wash me entirely from my fault,
purify me from my offense.
But you want truth in the depths of my heart;
in secret you teach me wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be pure;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Create in me a pure heart, O my God,
renew and strengthen my spirit deep within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
do not take away your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of being saved;
let a generous spirit sustain me.
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
"It is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father" — Mt 10, 16-23
At that time,
Jesus said to his Apostles:
"See, I am sending you
as sheep among wolves.
So be as cunning as serpents,
and as innocent as doves.
Beware of men:
they will hand you over to courts
and flog you in their synagogues.
You will be brought before governors and kings
because of me:
there will be a testimony there for them and for the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about what to say
or how to say it:
what you have to say
will be given to you at that time.
For it is not you who will speak,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and father his child;
children will rise up against their parents
and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name;
but whoever endures to the end,
that person will be saved.
When you are persecuted in one city,
flee to another.
Truly, I tell you:
you will not have finished traveling through all the cities of Israel
when the Son of Man comes."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org