Catholic Missal of the day: Friday, May 10 2019
Friday of the Third week of Easter
Friday of the Third week of Easter
1. ReadingActs of the Apostles
9,1-20.]Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
]and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.
]On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.
]He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
]He said, "Who are you, sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
]Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."
]The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.
]Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.
]For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.
]There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
]The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying,
]and (in a vision) he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay (his) hands on him, that he may regain his sight."
]But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem.
]And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name."
]But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,
]and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."
]So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit."
]Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized,
]and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,
]and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Psalms
117(116),1.2.]Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
]For steadfast is his kindness for us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
6,52-59.]The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?"
]Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.
]Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
]For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
]Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.
]Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.
]This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
]These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
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 2019 / Catholic Missal of may 2019
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:38Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:38Z