Reading:
Luke
Chapter 24: 35-48
35Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43he took it and ate it in front of them. 44He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.
Saint:
St. Julia of Billiart
(1751-1816)
Feastday: April 8
Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Maria Rose Julia Billiart was born in Cuvilly, France. She took a vow of virginity while young and worked so hard for the poor that she collapsed, remaining a cripple until 1804 when she was miraculously cured. She stayed in Amiens, where the Institute of Notre Dame was founded by Julia and pious friends in 1804. In 1809 she was forced to move to Namur, and the Motherhouse was instituted there. By the time of her death, there were fifteen convents in operation. Pope Paul VI canonized her in 1969.
