January 31, 2026
A reading from
the holy Gospel according to Mark4:35-41
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
The Gospel of the Lord.
January 31, 2026
Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Writers
Blessed Sandra Sabattini
Laywoman († 1984) Feast: May 4
Sandra’s uncle was a priest, and she grew up in his parish rectory in Riccione, Italy, along with her devout parents and a younger sibling. When she was a little girl, she charmed adults by walking around with a rosary in one hand and a doll in the other. She loved to pray, particularly before the Blessed Sacrament, and she began to keep a diary of her daily life and spiritual thoughts at the age of ten.
Sandra was twelve years old when she met Oreste Benzi, a priest who founded the Pope John XXIII Community and who particularly helped teens grow in their faith. Sandra became very involved in this community and volunteered at a youth summer camp for those with disabilities.
When she was seventeen years old, she met a young man at one of the community’s parties. They became engaged, and Sandra entered medical school at the University of Bologna, hoping to serve as a missionary doctor in Africa. While walking to a community meeting one day, the twenty-three-year-old was struck by a car. She died in the hospital three days later. Her spiritual diary was posthumously published, and the story of her spiritual journey has inspired adults and teens ever since, particularly as a reminder to treasure the great gift of life.
Eternal God, thank you for the gift of life and for showing us how to express our love for you.
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©Image : Christ on the Lake of Galilee, Jacopo Tintoretto (circle, 1518-1594), NGA, Washington D.C., USA. Photo Courtesy NGA Washington.
