Saturday in the 2nd Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of St. Martin I, Pope and martyr (†655). He condemned the Monothelist heresy in the Lateran Council and was exiled to Crimea by Emperor Constans II, where he died after much suffering.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19 (R.22)
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in You.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. R.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full. R.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear Him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine. R.
Gospel – Jn 6:16-21
When it was evening, the disciples of Jesus went down to the sea, embarked in a boat, and went across the sea to Capernaum. It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they began to be afraid. But He said to them, “It is I. Do not be afraid.” They wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.
Featured Saints
St. Hermenegild, martyr (†586). Son of Leovigild, Arian king of the Visigoths of Toledo, Spain. He was killed by order of his father in Tarragona, Spain, for refusing to receive Communion from an Arian bishop.
Blessed Ida of Louvain, virgin (†circa 1290). After suffering at the hands of her father who denied her vocation, she finally succeeded in persuading him and entered the Cistercian convent of Roosendaal, in present day-Belgium.
St. Caradoc, priest and hermit (†1124). He played harp in the Welsh royal palace, but realizing that dogs were more highly esteemed in that milieu than men, he decided to serve the King of Heaven.
St. Sabás Reyes Salazar, priest and martyr (†1927). Gifted with great pastoral zeal; after three days of torture he was shot during the antiChristian persecution in Mexico.
Blesseds Francis Dickenson and Gerard Miles, priests and martyrs (†1590). Ordained priests in Rheims (France), they returned to their native England to clandestinely exercise their ministry. For this they were imprisoned, tortured and hanged in Rochester during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Blessed Seraphim Morazzone, priest (†1822). Parish priest of Lecco, Italy for forty-nine years; he was considered by many to be another Cure of Ars.
Blessed Scubilion Rousseau, religious (†1867). Entered the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and spent the rest of his life as a missionary on Reunion Island (Indian Ocean), educating children and teaching the Faith to slaves.
Blessed Margaret of Castello, virgin (+1320). Born in Metola, Italy, she was abandoned by her noble parents owing to her blindness from birth. A poor couple offered her shelter, and she became a Dominican tertiary and dedicated herself to prayer and good works.
Blessed Ida, widow (†1113). After the death of her husband, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, France, she dedicated herself to works of piety and charity. She was the mother of Godfrey of Bouillon.
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