Catholic Missal of the day: Friday, May 19 2017
Friday of the Fifth week of Easter
Friday of the Fifth week of Easter
1. ReadingActs of the Apostles
15,22-31.]The apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
]This is the letter delivered by them: "The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.
]Since we have heard that some of our number (who went out) without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind,
]we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
]who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
]So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth:
]'It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities,
]namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.'"
]And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter.
]When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
Psalms
57(56),8-9.10-12.]My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
]Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn.
]I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
]For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
]Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory!
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
15,12-17.]Jesus said to his disciples: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
]No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
]You are my friends if you do what I command you.
]I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
]It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
]This I command you: love one another."
St. Peter Celestine(Pope (1221-1296))
SAINT PETER CELESTINE V Pope (1221-1296) During childhood, Peter had visions of Our Lady, the angels and saints. They accompanied him in prayer and helped him transcend his personal defects. His mother was a poor widow who sent him to school believing he would one day be a saint. At 20 years old, Peter left his home in Apulia and lived in a mountainous solitude. He spent three years there; and like many saints, was assailed by evil spirits. The demons used physical attacks and temptations to prevent him from praying. His prayers were fruitful and pleasing to God amid spiritual dryness. When Peter's seclusion was interrupted by disciples who refused to be turned away, he made a rule of life that became the foundation of the Celestine Order. Angels assisted in the church that he built: Unseen bells rang peals of surpassing sweetness and heavenly music filled the sanctuary during the Holy Sacrifice. When Peter was elected to the papacy, he found himself abruptly torn from his beloved solitude. He took the name Celestine to remind himself of the heaven he was leaving and for which he sighed. He was consecrated at Aquila; but five months later, he summoned the cardinals and solemnly resigned his trust. He was imprisoned by his successor, Boniface VIII, who feared his election as an antipope. At length, on Whit-Sunday, Peter told his guards that he would die within the week. He immediately fell ill and received the last rites. On Saturday, as he finished the concluding verse of Lauds, "Let every spirit bless the Lord," he closed his eyes to this world and opened them to Heaven.
St. Yvo(Priest (1253-1303))
SAINT YVO Priest (1253-1303) St. Yvo Helori was born near Treguier, Brittany, northwestern France. At 14 years old, he went to Paris and Orleans to study. His mother encouraged him to act in a manner that becomes a saint, to which he replied, "I hope to be." His resolution spurred him to virtue and checked the shadows of venial sin. Yvo made time for prayer, study and professional development. He also visited hospitals and attended and comforted the sick. After receiving matchmaking proposals, he made a private vow of perpetual chastity - likely after discerning his vocation. While meditating on monastic and clerical states, his desire to serve others made him choose the latter. His bishop convinced him to receive holy orders, which he prepared for fervently. Yvo was eventually appointed ecclesiastical judge for the diocese of Rennes. He protected orphans and widows, defended the poor and administered justice to all. His impartiality and tenderness gained the good will of even those who lost. He was called "the advocate" and "lawyer of the poor." He built a house near his own and used it as a hospital for the poor and sick. He washed their feet, cleansed their ulcers and served them at table. Yvo distributed his corn, or the price for which he sold it, among the poor immediately after the harvest. When someone tried persuading him to hoard it and sell at a better price, he answered, "I know not whether I shall be alive then to give it." Another time, that person said to him, "I have gained a fifth by keeping my corn." "But I," replied the Saint, "a hundredfold by giving it immediately away." During the Lent of 1303, Yvo felt his strength failing. Far from abating his austerities, he redoubled his efforts. On the eve of the Ascension, he preached and celebrated Mass while being held upright by two persons. Afterward, he advised those who besought him. He then laid on his bed, which was a hurdle of twigs plaited together, and received the last rites. He passed away on May 19, 1303, at 50 years old.
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2017 / Catholic Missal of may 2017
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:17Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:17Z