Tuesday of the Fourth week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles

Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Psalms

His foundation upon the holy mountains,
the LORD loves:
the gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
"This man was born there."
and of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
and he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.
The Father and I are one."

St. Jozef Damian De Veuster(Priest (1840-1889))

Saint Jozef Damien De VeusterPriest (1840-1889) St. Jozef Damien De Veuster, ss.cc, was born at Tremelo, Belgium, on 3 January 1840 (see also p. 8). Jozef ("Jef") began his novitiate with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary ("Picpus Fathers") at the beginning of 1859 and took the name Damien. He would pray every day before a picture of St. Francis Xavier, patron of missionaries, to be sent on a mission. In 1863, his brother, who was to leave for a mission in the Hawaiian Islands, fell ill. Since preparations for the voyage had already been made, Damien obtained permission from the Superior General to take his brother's place. He landed in Honolulu on 19 March 1864. He was ordained to the priesthood on the following 21 May. At that time, the Hawaiian Government decided on the harsh measure of quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of leprosy: the deportation to the neighbouring Island of Molokai of all those infected by what was then thought to be an incurable disease. The entire mission was concerned about the abandoned lepers and Bishop Louis Maigret, a Picpus father, felt sure they needed priests. He did not want to send anyone "in the name of obedience" because he was aware such an assignment was a potential death sentence. Of the four brothers who volunteered, Damien was the first to leave on 10 May 1873 for Kalaupapa. At his own request and that of the lepers, he remained on Molokai. Having contracted leprosy himself, he died on 15 April 1889, at the age of 49, after serving 16 years among the lepers. He was buried in the local cemetery under the same Pandanus tree where he had first slept upon his arrival 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 at Louvain. Damien was a Catholic missionary who respected the religious convictions of others. He accepted them as people and joyfully received their collaboration and help. With a heart wide open to the most forsaken, he dignified his office and acted in place of the Good Shepherd. 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 imitate him discover the source of his heroism.Pope St. John Paul II beatified Damien de Veuster in Brussels on June 4, 1995; and Pope Benedict XVI canonized him 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 was baptized on February 2, 1897. After attending elementary and middle school in Banja Luka, he was educated at the military academy of Wiener Noustadt. In 1915, he enrolled at the University of Vienna with the dream of teaching young people in Bosnia. He would be following the example of his professor, Ljubomir Marakovic, who helped Ivan to discover the richness of the Catholic faith. In March 1916, Ivan was enlisted in the army and shipped to the Italian battle front, where he spent the greater part of two years beginning in 1917. The war experience and its horrors marked a turning point in Ivan's young life and contributed greatly to his spiritual growth, prompting him to abandon his future into God's hands and to strive with all his might towards the goal of 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." At this time, Ivan also made a private vow of perpetual chastity. After the war, he continued his studies at Vienna (1919-20), and then in Paris (1920-22). In 1923, he obtained a degree in philosophy. His thesis was entitled, "The Influence of the Liturgy on the French Authors." He then became a professor of language and French literature and was exemplary in his dedication to the students and to his responsibilities as a teacher. In his spare time, he studied philosophy and theology and deepened his knowledge of the documents of the Magisterium of the Church. Ivan was especially noted for his interest in young people and concern for their growth in faith and holiness. He guided them to Christ with writings and organized gatherings. He started the League of Young Croatian Catholics and the Croatian League of Eagles within the country's Catholic Action Movement. Their motto was: "Sacrifice, Eucharist, Apostolate."By his knowledge, example, and using the natural light of reason, he taught love and obedience to the Vicar of Christ. He also promoted liturgical renewal in Croatia. In the face of any misunderstandings and difficulties, Ivan always had an admirable patience 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." Convinced that the most effective way to save souls was through the Cross of Jesus Christ, he offered to God all his physical and moral sufferings, particularly for the intention of the success of his apostolic endeavours. 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; and was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II at Banja Luka on June 22, 2003.

St. Comgall()

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2022 / Catholic Missal of may 2022