Monday of the Sixth 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 John of Avila, Priest, Doctor (c.1500-1569); Saint Damian of Molokai (1840-1889); Saint Comgall (510/520-597/602); Saint Antonius of Florence OP (1389-1459)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 1:6-13

Mass: Acts 16:11-15; Resp Ps 149; Jn 15:26-16:4a

The Lord takes delight in His people.

HEART OF JESUS, ABYSS OF ALL VIRTUES,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

One of my favorite lines from the Bible comes in today's account from the Acts of the Apostles. It is there that we meet "a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira" (Acts 16:14). Lydia was a worshiper of God. Lydia listened and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying (Acts 16:14). Lydia, please intercede for us so that we become better listeners. Dear Lord, open our hearts to pay better attention so as to receive your Word.

Everything we would like others to do for us, let us do for them instead (cf. Mt 7:12). Do we want to be heard? Let us first listen. Do we need encouragement? Let us give encouragement. Do we want someone to care for us? Let us care for those who are alone and abandoned.

(Pope Francis, Twitter, May 10, 2021)

SAINT JOHN OF AVILA,

SAINT DAMIAN OF MOLOKAI,

SAINT COMGALL,

SAINT ANTONIUS OF FLORENCE,

SAINT JOSEPH,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Kathleen going for it at Joshua Tree National Park. Thank you for the great and  memorable days there in 2017.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

Mother's Day 

Other saints: Saint George Preca (1880-1962)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 1:1-5 The Kinds of Monks

Mass: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Resp Ps 98; 1 Jn 4:7-10; Jn 15:9-17

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, BECAUSE LOVE IS OF GOD.

(1 Jn 4:7)

Happy Mother's Day! With Pope Francis at today's Regina Coeli Address, "we greet all mothers of the world, even those who have passed away. A round of applause for mothers!"

The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral-a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body ... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation ... What on earth is more glorious than this; to be a mother?

(Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty, 1892-1975, author of The Mother)

SAINT GEORGE PRECA,

MARY, MOTHER OF CHRIST,

SAINT JOSEPH, GLORY OF DOMESTIC LIFE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Our Lady of the Sign through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

Saturday 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: Blessed Christian de Cherge and the Martyrs of Algeria (1994-1996); Blessed Catherine of Saint Augustine (1632-1668); Blessed John Sullivan (1861-1933); Blessed Aloysius Rabata (c.1443-1490); Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the entire Order of Preachers

Readings of the Day

RB: Prologue 45-50

Mass: Acts 16:1-10; Resp Ps 100; Jn 15:18-21

Know that the Lord is God; He made us, His we are.

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

We conclude today the Prologue of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. At the same time, we remember the Martyrs of Algeria, nineteen individuals slain in Algeria between 1994 and 1996 during the Algerian Civil War. Seven of them were Trappist monks from the Atlas Abbey of Tibhirine. Along with the conclusion of the Prologue, I include words from one of the martyred monks, Christophe Lebreton, from his journal Born from the Gaze of God: The Tibhirine Journal of a Martyr Monk (1993-1996). They reveal, among other things, his faithfulness to the Holy Rule.

We live together in a land of hope. We cultivate it. We are dwellers in your house. We live there. We pray there. We abide there until its time to die. We live together in your hand. Who could dislodge us from this blatant happiness?

(May 7, 1995, p. 151)

Therefore we intend to establish a school of the Lord's service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend our faults and safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions, then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 45-50)

BLESSED CHRISTIAN DE CHERGE AND THE MARTYRS OF ALGERIA,

BLESSED CATHERINE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE,

BLESSED JOHN SULLIVAN,

BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA,

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF THE POOR,

MARY, MOTHER OF MERCY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Blessed Christian de Cherge and the Monks of Atlas through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso.

© Gertrude Feick 2021

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