Saturday, 24 January 2026
Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor
Readings for the universal ChurchGeneral Roman Calendar, used by Catholics worldwide
First Reading
2 Samuel 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27
1After the death of Saul, when David had returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had stayed two days in Ziklag, 2on the third day, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul, with his clothes torn and earth on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the earth and showed respect. 3David said to him, “Where do you come from?” He said to him, “I have escaped out of the camp of Israel.” 4David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle, and many of the people also have fallen and are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.”
11Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did likewise. 12They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.
19“Your glory, Israel, was slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
23Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives.
In their death, they were not divided.
They were swifter than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
24You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you delicately in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your clothing.
25How the mighty have fallen in the middle of the battle!
Jonathan was slain on your high places.
26I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan.
You have been very pleasant to me.
Your love to me was wonderful,
surpassing the love of women.
27How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war have perished!”
Responsorial Psalm
1Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock,
you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
2Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your might!
Come to save us!
4LORD God of Armies,
how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in large measure.
6You make us a source of contention to our neighbors.
Our enemies laugh among themselves.
Gospel
20The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.”
Same readings worldwide and in the United States.
Text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (public domain). Reading citations: cpbjr/catholic-readings-api (MIT license). The Lectionary text used at Mass in the United States is the NABRE, which you can read at USCCB.