Wednesday of the Fifth week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles

15,1-6.

Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved."
Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question.
They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them.
But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law."
The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

Psalms

122(121),1-2.3-4a.4b-5.

I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

15,1-8.

Jesus said to his disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

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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 January 3, 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 March 19, 1864. He was ordained to the priesthood on the following May 21. At that time, the Hawaiian Government decided on the harsh measure of quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of leprosy: the deportation to the neighboring 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 May 10, 1873, for Kalaupapa. At his own request and that of the lepers, Damien remained on Molokai. Having contracted leprosy after serving for sixteen years, he passed away on April 15, 1889, at the age of forty-nine. 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 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.

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Bl. Ivan Merz (1896-1928)()

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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 others to love and emulate 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 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; and was beatified by Pope John Paul II at Banja Luka on June 22, 2003.

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St. Comgall()

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misalcatolico.com

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of may 2023