Friday of the Sixth week of Easter

Acts of the Apostles

18,9-18.

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision , "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent,
for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city."
He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them.
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal,
saying, "This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law."
When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, "If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews;
but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters."
And he drove them away from the tribunal.
They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut because he had taken a vow.

Psalms

47(46),2-3.4-5.6-7.

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.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves.
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.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John

16,20-23a.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy.
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.
So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

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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 in Tremelo, Belgium, on January 3, 1840. He 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 daily before a picture of St. Francis Xavier asking 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. The following May 21, he was ordained to the priesthood. At the time, the Hawaiian Government quarantined everyone infected with leprosy in the neighboring island of Molokai. The measure due to leprosy being thought incurable. The entire mission was concerned about the abandoned lepers, so Bishop Louis Maigret, a Picpus father, decided to send priests. He did not want to send anyone in the name of obedience since the 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 49. He was buried in 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. Damien was a Catholic missionary who respected the religious convictions of others. He accepted them as persons and joyfully received their collaboration. 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. He was baptized on February 2, 1897. After attending elementary and middle school in Banja Luka, Ivan 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 him discover the Catholic faith. In March 1916, Ivan was enlisted and shipped to the Italian battle front, where he spent the greater part of two years beginning in 1917. The war and its horrors marked a turning point in Ivan life and contributed to his spiritual growth: prompting him to abandon his future in God's hands and to strive with all his might toward 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 in Vienna (1919-20) and then 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 both students and his responsibilities as a teacher. In his spare time, he studied philosophy, theology, and deepened his knowledge about the publications 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 as part of the country's Catholic Action Movement. Their motto was: "Sacrifice, Eucharist, Apostolate."By his knowledge and 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 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 in 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 2024 / Catholic Missal of may 2024