June 21st, 2004, Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious.

A reading from the second book of kings.

When Natalia, the mother of Ahazaya, saw that her son was dead, she began to kill off the whole royal family.

But Jehoshiba, daughter of King Jehoram, and sister of Ahesia, took Joash, his son,

and spirited him away, along with his nurse, from the bedroom where the princes were about to be

slain. She concealed him from Italia, and so he did not die. For six years he remained hidden in the temple of the Lord,

while Italia ruled the land.

But in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned the captains of the Carians and of the guards.

He had them come to him in the temple of the Lord,

exacted from them a sworn commitment,

and then showed them the king's son.

The captains did, just as Jehoiada the priest commanded.

Each one with his men, both those going on duty for the Sabbath and those going off duty

that week, came to Jehoiada, the priest.

He gave the captains King David's spears and shields,

which were in the temple of the Lord.

And the guards, with drawn weapons, lined up from the southern to the northern limit of the enclosure,

surrounding the altar and the temple on the king's behalf.

Then Jehoiada led out the king's son and put the crown and the insignia

upon him. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, clapping their hands and shouting,

Long live the king. Attalia heard the noise made by the people and appeared before them in the

temple of the Lord. When she saw the king standing by the pillar, as was the custom,

...