As Ordinary Time continues, the Church invites us to listen closely to the authority of Christ—not only in His words, but in the way He transforms hearts. Today, we honor St. Hilary of Poitiers, a fearless defender of truth who stood firm for Christ even in exile.
Prayer of the Day
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we may rightly understand
and truthfully profess
the divinity of your Son,
which the Bishop Saint Hilary
taught with such constancy.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Mass Readings of the Day
First Reading
1 Samuel 1:9–20
Hannah prays silently and fervently for a child, promising to dedicate him to the Lord. God hears her prayer and grants her a son—Samuel.
“The Lord remembered her.”
Responsorial Psalm
1 Samuel 2:1, 4–5, 6–7, 8
Response: My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior.
Gospel
Mark 1:21–28
Jesus teaches in the synagogue with authority and drives out an unclean spirit.
“What is this? A new teaching with authority.”
The people are astonished—not only by His words, but by His power.
Saint of the Day
St. Hilary of Poitiers
Bishop, Defender of the Faith, Doctor of the Church
Born into a pagan family in 4th-century France, Hilary of Poitiers discovered Christ through the study of Scripture. His conversion was radical—and so was his courage.
As bishop, Hilary boldly defended the truth of Christ’s divinity during the Arian heresy, even when it cost him his freedom. He was exiled for standing firm, yet he never stopped teaching, writing, and proclaiming the truth.
Called the “Athanasius of the West,” St. Hilary reminds us that truth is worth defending—no matter the cost.
10 Facts About St. Hilary of Poitiers
- He was born around the year 310 in Gaul (modern France).
- He converted to Christianity as an adult.
- He became Bishop of Poitiers.
- He strongly opposed the Arian heresy.
- He was exiled for defending Church teaching.
- He wrote important theological works on the Trinity.
- He is known as the “Hammer of the Arians.”
- He helped unify Western Church teaching.
- He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1851.
- He is the patron saint of theologians and scholars.
Closing Reflection
Today’s Gospel shows us a Christ who speaks with authority—and today’s saint shows us a believer who refused to compromise that truth.
May we, like St. Hilary, stand firm in faith, speak truth with courage, and trust in the power of Christ at work within us.
