The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will find blessing in you. (Gen 12:1-9)

Today we begin reading the great patriarchal history from the Book of Genesis with the Call of Abraham. For good reason Christians, Jews & Moslems, we call Abraham our “Father in Faith.” Today is also the feast of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a young Jesuit, who gave his life ministering to the victims of an epidemic.