Catholic Missal of the day: Wednesday, May 10 2017
Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter
Wednesday of the Fourth week of Easter
1. ReadingActs of the Apostles
12,24-25.13,1-5a.]The word of God continued to spread and grow.
]After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark.
]Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
]While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
]Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.
]So they, sent forth by the holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.
]When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had John also as their assistant.
Psalms
67(66),2-3.5.6.8.]May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
]So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation.
]May the nations be glad and exult
because you rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth you guide.
]May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
]May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
12,44-50.]Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me,
]and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
]I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
]And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
]Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day,
]because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
]And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me."
St. Jozef Damian De Veuster(Priest (1840-1889))
Saint Jozef Damien De VeusterPriest (1840-1889) St. Jozef Damien De Veuster, ss.cc, was born in Tremelo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. He began his novitiate with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary ("Picpus Fathers") in 1859. He took the name Damien and prayed daily before a picture of St. Francis Xavier to be sent on a mission. In 1863, his brother, who was leaving for a mission in the Hawaiian Islands, fell ill. Preparations for the voyage had already been made, so Damien obtained permission from the Superior General to take his brother's place. He arrived in Honolulu on March 19, 1864. The following May 21, he was ordained a priest. At the time, the Hawaiian Government quarantined everyone infected with leprosy in the neighboring island of Molokai. The missionaries were concerned about the abandoned lepers, so Bishop Louis Maigret, a Picpus father, sent priests. He did not send anyone in the name of obedience because the assignment was a potential death sentence. Of the four brothers who volunteered, Damien was the first to leave for Kalaupapa on May 10, 1873. At his own request and that of the lepers, Fr. Damien remained on Molokai. After serving for sixteen years, he contracted leprosy. He passed away on April 15, 1889, at 49 years old. He was buried at the local cemetery under the same Pandanus tree where he had first slept upon arriving in Molokai. His remains were exhumed in 1936 at the request of the Belgian Government and translated to a crypt of the Church of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in Louvain. Fr. Damien respected the religious convictions of others, accepted them as persons and joyfully received their collaboration. Among his best friends were Meyer, a Lutheran, the superintendent of the leper colony, Clifford, an Anglican, Moritz, a painter and free-thinker who was the doctor on Molokai, and Dr. Masanao Goto, a Japanese Buddhist and leprologist. In his parish ministry or in his works of charity, he found a place for everyone. Though his prayers and intercession, St. Damien continues inspiring believers and non-believers. Many who emulate him discover the source of his heroism.Pope John Paul II beatified him in Brussels on June 4, 1995. Damien de Veuster was canonized by and Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009, in Rome.
Bl. Ivan Merz((1896-1928))
BLESSED IVAN MERZ (1896-1928) Ivan Merz was born in Banja Luka, Bosnia, on December 16, 1896, and baptized on February 2, 1897. He attended elementary and middle school and the military academy of Wiener Noustadt. In 1915, he enrolled at the University of Vienna with the dream of teaching young Bosnians. He emulated his professor, Ljubomir Marakovic, who helped him discover the Catholic faith. In March 1916, Ivan enlisted and was sent to the Italian battle front. He experienced two years of war-related horrors beginning 1917. The war marked a turning point in his life and became the impetus for spiritual growth. He abandoned himself in God's hands and strove with all his heart and mind for Christian perfection. On February 5, 1918, he wrote in his diary: "Never forget God! Always desire to be united with Him. Begin each day in the first place with meditation and prayer, possibly close to the Blessed Sacrament or during Mass. During this time, plans for the day are made, one's defects are put under examination and grace is implored for the strength to overcome all weakness. It would be something terrible if this war had no meaning for me!... I must begin a life regenerated in the spirit of this new understanding of Catholicism. The Lord alone can help me, as man can do nothing on his own." Around 1918, Ivan made a private vow of perpetual chastity. After the war, he continued studies in Vienna (1919-20) and Paris (1920-22). He received a degree in philosophy in 1923. His thesis was titled, "The Influence of the Liturgy on the French Authors." He became a professor of language and French literature and was exemplary as a mentor and a teacher. In his spare time, he studied philosophy, theology, and the publications of the Magisterium of the Church. Ivan was especially interested in young people's growth in faith and holiness. He shared spiritual writings and organized gatherings. He started the League of Young Croatian Catholics and the Croatian League of Eagles as part of the country's Catholic Action Movement. Their motto was: "Sacrifice, Eucharist, Apostolate." He also promoted liturgical renewal and praying for the Vicar of Christ. In the face of misunderstandings and difficulties, Ivan was always patient and calm: the fruit of his continual union with God in prayer. Those who knew him well described him as a person who had his "mind and heart immersed in the supernatural." He embraced the Cross of Jesus Christ to save souls. He offered to God all his physical and moral sufferings, particularly for the intention of his apostolic endeavors. Shortly before his death, he offered his life for the youth of Croatia. In short, the young man believed that his vocation was very simply "the Catholic faith."Ivan Merz passed away on May 10, 1928, in Zagreb. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Banja Luka on June 22, 2003.
St. Comgall()
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2017 / Catholic Missal of may 2017
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:17Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:17Z