Catholic Missal of the day: Thursday, May 10 2018
Ascension of the Lord - Solemnity
Ascension of the Lord - Solemnity
1. ReadingActs of the Apostles
1,1-11.]In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
]until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
]He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
]While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak;
]for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit."
]When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
]He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.
]But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
]When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
]While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
]They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."
Psalms
47(46),2-3.6-7.8-9.]All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
]For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
]God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
]Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
]For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
]God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
Letter to the Ephesians
4,1-13.]Brothers and sisters : I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
]with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,
]striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
]one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
]one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
]one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
]But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
]Therefore, it says: "He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men."
]What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended into the lower (regions) of the earth?
]The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
]And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
]to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
]until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ,
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark
16,15-20.]Jesus said to the eleven: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
]Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
]These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.
]They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
]So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
]But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
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 2018 / Catholic Missal of may 2018
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:28Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:28Z