Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Saint Pachomius, abbot (292-348)
Saint Isidore the Farmer, patron saint of Madrid (1070-1130)
International Day of Families

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 2:30-32
Mass: Acts 15:22-31; Resp Ps 57; Jn 15:12-17

I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.

MARY, VIRGIN MOST RENOWNED,

PRAY FOR US.

I feel compelled to wish you, Happy Easter! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and has redeemed us, alleluia! And here's a fact full of fun. Spaniard Saint Isidore the Farmer is one of my favorite saints, especially nowadays as I find myself joyfully engaged (with other sisters too) in manual labor in the great outdoors. It is said that Isidore had three great loves, namely, God, his family, and the soil. Here's one fun fact. Isidore was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on "March 12, 1622, alongside Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, Francis Xavier, and Philip Neri" (Magnificat, commentary, May 15, 2020). Let's get busy and invoke these great saints, all forces to be reckoned with, along with another great saint for today, Pachomius, a pioneer in the early development of monks living in cenobitic communities, that is, where monks "belong to a monastery and serve under a rule and an abbot " (RB 1:2).

And let us also join Barnabas and Paul, who "dedicated their lives to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:26) and "love one another" (Jn 15:17). We go about this in ways big and small. Remember, it's about quality and not quantity. Make whatever you do come from a heart of love, mercy, and compassion. It is often that the smallest of gestures makes the greatest impact. Keep going!

I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS.

(Jn 15:15)

We pray with the Holy Father:

Let us pray for families, that the Spirit of the Lord-the spirit of love, respect and freedom-may grow in families.

SAINT PACHOMIUS,

SAINT ISIDORE THE FARMER,
SAINT TERESA OF AVILA,
SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER,
SAINT PHILIP NERI,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Camas and buttercups. Courtesy of CO who said this: "I think our Creator especially likes this color combination." God is praised.

© Gertrude Feick 2020