Friday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

First Friday of the Month

Other saints: Saint John Beverley, Bishop (-721); Saint Albert of Bergamo, OP (1214-1279)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 39-44

Mass: Acgs 15:22-31; Resp Ps 57; Jn 15:12-17

Awake, O my soul: awake, lyre and harp!

HEART OF JESUS, KING AND CENTER OF ALL HEARTS,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Welcome to the First Friday of the month of May in Eastertide. Happy Easter!

It was something Cardinal Pietro Parolin said yesterday at Mass to the 34 new Swiss Guard recruits that blends well some of Jesus' words of yesterday and today. Jesus tells us this: Remain in my love ... keep my commandments ... love one another. (Jn 15:9-10, 17). Cardinal Parolin said this: "The Lord has special plans for each person and there is only one way to allow Him to accomplish great things in us: to welcome Him more and more, to live His command-'Remain in me'- each day." Indeed, this is how we will bear fruit that will remain (Jn 15:16). 

Now that we have asked the Lord who will dwell in His tent, we have heard the instruction for dwelling in it, but only if we fulfill the obligations of those who live there. We must, then, prepare our hearts and bodies for the battle of holy obedience to His instructions. What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of His grace. If we wish to reach eternal life, even as we avoid the torments of hell, then-while there is still time, while we are in this body and have time to accomplish all these things by the light of life-we must run and do now what will profit us forever.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 39-44)

SAINT JOHN BEVERLEY,

SAINT ALBERT OF BERGAMO,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE AFFLICTED,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This awesome shot was captured by my brother, Tom, a faithful reader in Indianapolis, IN, east of the Mississippi River. 😊Tom and his faithful companion Benedict were walking along the mighty White River and gifted with this sighting. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord ... All you birds of the air, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. A special shout goes out today to all those east of the Mississippi ... praise and exalt Him above all forever! 💖

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: Saint Francis de Laval, Bishop (1623-1707)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 33-38

Mass: Acts 15:7-21; Resp Ps 96; Jn 15:9-11

Sing to the Lord a new song.

HEART OF JESUS, FULL OF GOODNESS AND LOVE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Remain in my love (Jn 15:9), says the Lord. May we turn to the love of Jesus and live so that His joy might be in us and our joy might be complete (Jn 15:11). 

That is why the Lord says in the Gospel: Whoever hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house upon rock; the floods came and the winds blew and beat against the house, but it did not fall: it was founded on rock.

With this conclusion, the Lord waits for us daily to translate into action, as we should, his holy teachings. Therefore our life span has been lengthened by way of a truce, that we may amend our misdeeds. As the Apostle says: Do you not know that the patience of God is leading you to repent? And indeed the Lord assures us in his love: I do not wish the death of the sinner, but that he turn back to me and live.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 33-38)

SAINT FRANCIS DE LAVAL,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF EXILES,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: Saint Asaph, Monk, Bishop (6th century); Blessed Edmund Rice, Founder (1762-1844); Saint Richard Reynolds (-1535); Saint Angelus, Martyr (1185-c.1220)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 21-32

Mass: Acts 15:1-6; Resp Ps 122; Jn 15:1-8

Alleluia.

HEART OF JESUS, HOUSE OF GOD AND GATE OF HEAVEN,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Jesus, the true vine, says this in today's Gospel: 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 (Jn 15:5). Remain in the vine as we continue to respond to Saint Benedict's call in the Prologue of the Holy Rule. 

Clothed then with faith and performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom. 

If we wish to dwell in the tent of this kingdom, we will never arrive unless we run there by doing good deeds. But let us ask the Lord with the Prophet: Who will dwell in your tent, Lord; who will find rest on your holy mountain? After this question, brothers, let us listen well to what the Lord says in reply, for He shows us the way to His tent. One who walks without blemish, He says, and is just in all his dealings; who speaks the truth from his heart and has not practiced deceit with his tongue; who has not wronged a fellowman in any way, not listened to slanders against his neighbor. He has foiled the evil one, the devil, at every turn, flinging both him and his promptings far from the sight of his heart. While these temptations were still young, he caught hold of them and dashed them against Christ. These people fear the Lord, and do not become elated over their good deeds; they judge it is the Lord's power, not their own, that brings about the good in them. They praise the Lord working in them, and say with the Prophet: Not to us, Lord, not to us give the glory, but to your name alone. In just this way, Paul the Apostle refused to take credit for the power of his preaching. He declared: By God's grace I am what I am. And again he said: He who boasts should make his boast in the Lord.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 21-32)

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.

(Jn 15:7-8)

SAINT ASAPH,

BLESSED EDMUND RICE,

SAINT RICHARD REYNOLDS,

SAINT ANGELUS,

SAINT JOSEPH, SUPPORT IN DIFFICULTIES,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I found this little gem in Redway, CA.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Eastertide

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Other saints: The English Martyrs; Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis (1840-1912); Saint Conleth (-519); The Beatified Martyrs of England and Wales (16th-17th century); Saint Jose Maria Rubio, Apostle of Madrid, Father of the Poor, (1864-1929); Bl Angel Prat Hostench and Companions (d. 1936); Bl Emily Bicchieri OP (1238-1314)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 14-20

Mass: Acts 14:19-28; Resp Ps 145; Jn 14:27-31a

Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

HEART OF JESUS, OUR PEACE AND OUR RECONCILIATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Quoting the psalmist, Saint Benedict poses a question in today's passage from the Holy Rule: "Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?" If your answer is "I do", then our holy father Benedict has more to say, not unrelated to the peace that Jesus leaves and gives us (Jn 14:27).

Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? If you hear this and your answer is "I do," then God directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim. Once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am. What, dear brothers is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 14-20)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

(Jn 14:27)

THE ENGLISH MARTYRS,

BLESSED MARIE-LEONIE PARADIS,

SAINT CONLETH,

THE BEATIFIED MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES,

SAINT JOSE MARIA RUBIO,

BLESSED ANGEL PRAT HOSTENCH AND COMPANIONS,

BLESSED EMILY BICCHIERI,

SAINT JOSEPH, MINISTER OF SALVATION,

MARY MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More from the cloister.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love" 

Month of May Dedicated to Our Lady and a “Marathon” of Prayer to End the Pandemic 

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 8-13

Mass: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Resp Ps 19; Jn 14:6-14

Their message goes out through all the earth.

MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES,

PRAY FOR US.

The next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me."

(Jn 1:43)

If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that.

(James 4:15)

Happy Feast Day! We turn to the Apostles Philip and James for inspiration and encouragement as we continue to seek God and respond to Saint Benedict's call in today's passage from the Holy Rule.

Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time to arise from sleep. Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts. And again: You who have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. And what does he say? Come and listen to me, sons; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Run while you have the light of life, that the darkness of death may not overtake you.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 8-13)

SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES

SAINT JOSEPH, SERVANT OF CHRIST,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: You have not seen this beauty from the Gorge. Compare it to the photo of Saturday, April 24th post. Our Lord is glorious on high.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love" 

In other years: Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor (295-373)

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 1-7

Mass: Acts 9:26-31; Resp Ps 22; 1 Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8

You, Lord, are my praise in the great assembly.

CHILDREN, LET US LOVE NOT IN WORD OR SPEECH BUT IN DEED AND TRUTH.

(1 Jn 3:18)

In today's Regina Caeli Address, the Holy Father asked the faithful to ask themselves, "in what sense does Jesus need us?" As Pope Francis said, it may be an audacious concept to think that Jesus needs us. But He does. Jesus "needs our witness," said the Holy Father. Still Saul not yet Paul was a witness as he moved about freely in Jerusalem and "spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord" (Acts 9:29). Saint John encourages us to be witnesses of God's love in deed and truth (1 Jn 3:18). We witness by keeping the commandments and doing what pleases the Lord. We believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us (1 Jn 3:22-23). We must also keep it all in perspective. If we are to witness to our faith we remain in Jesus, the true vine. As Jesus tells us: Remain in me, as I remain in you. Why? 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, says the Lord, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing (Jn 15:4-5). Put another way, without Jesus we are merely resounding gongs or clashing symbols (1 Cor 13:1). 

All that we do, we should do in God; let us stop for a moment before beginning an activity, so that it may always flow from our union with God. Let us love our sisters and brothers, for they are also Christ, and we love them with God's love. May all our judgements be those of Christ, let us look at everything through His eyes. May it be His prayer that wells up from our heart, His praise that sings in our voices.

(A Carthusian, from Advent to Pentecost: Carthusian Novice Conferences)

First of all, every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God to bring it to perfection.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 4)

We begin today, and continue in the coming days, to invoke Saint Joseph by one of seven new invocations to be included in the Litany to Saint Joseph. Just yesterday, on the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments presented the new invocations to Pope Francis, who approved their integration into the Litany. 

SAINT JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

SAINT ANTHANASIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: More beauty in the cloister.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Saint Joseph the Worker

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Eastertide

First Saturday of the Month

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love" 

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 73 This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection

Mass: Acts 13:44-52; Resp Ps 98; Jn 14:7-14

Optional memorial: Gn 1:26-2:3 or Col. 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Resp Ps 90; Mt 13:54-58

Lord, give success to the work of our hands.

JOSEPH, MODEL OF WORKERS,

PRAY FOR US.

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month and the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker. As a friendly reminder, and as already included in last Tuesday's reflection, the commemoration of Saint Joseph the Worker was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. Today is an especially good day to "go to Joseph" (Gn 41:55) for intercession. One way to begin and be encouraged is by re-reading the December 8, 2020, Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, Patris Corde With a Father's Heart. As written there, the aim of the letter "is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and zeal." The following are two prayers, also already included in previous reflections. The first was made "famous" by Pope Leo XIII in 1889. The second has been prayed by Pope Francis every day for over 40 years after Lauds. The prayer, taken from a 19th century French prayer book of the Congregation of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, expresses devotion and trust, and even poses a certain challenge to Saint Joseph (Patris Corde, endnote 10). Lastly, whatever you are about today, why not go at it inspired by the words of Saint Paul: Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance of your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ (Col. 323-24). 

Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen off-spring of Jesus Christ. Keep from us, O most loving Father, all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender, in this conflict with the powers of darkness. As you once rescued the child Jesus from deadly peril, so now defend God's Holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us ever under your patronage, that, following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting bliss in heaven.

Amen.

Glorious Patriarch Saint Joseph, whose power makes the impossible possible, come to my aid in these times of anguish and difficulty. Take under your protection the serious and troubling situations that I commend to you, that they may have a happy outcome. My beloved father, all my trust is in you. Let it not be said that I invoked you in vain, and since you can do everything with Jesus and Mary, show me that your goodness is as great as your power. Amen. 

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF WORKERS,

SAINT JOSEPH, GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF A HAPPY DEATH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This photo was included last year on this feast. This lovely statue is in the home of a faithful reader who happens to be one of my brothers. 

© Gertrude Feick 2021