Wednesday in the 4rd Week of Easter
Optional memorial of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and martyr (†1622). A lawyer by profession, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Chapuchins and was an outstanding preacher. He was sent to bolster true doctrine in Switzerland, and was killed by heretics in Seewis.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 12:24—13:5a
The word of God continued to spread and grow. After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark. Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. So they, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8 (R.4)
R. O God, let all the nations praise You!
or:
R. Alleluia.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
So may your way be known upon earth;
among all nations, your salvation. R.
May the nations be glad and exult
because You rule the peoples in equity;
the nations on the earth You guide. R.
May the peoples praise You, O God;
may all the peoples praise You!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear Him! R.
Gospel – Jn 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in Me but also in the one who sent Me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent Me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects Me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent Me commanded Me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told Me.”
Featured Saints
St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, virgin (†1868). Nun of the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge. She founded the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd of Angers, France, to mercifully receive repentant public sinners, “Magdalenes”, who wished to enter religious life.
St. Mary of Cleophas and St. Salome. Together with St. Mary Magdalene, they went early on Easter Sunday to the Sepulchre of the Lord, to anoint His Body, and received the first announcement of the Resurrection.
St. Mellitus of Canterbury, Bispo (†624). A monk from Rome sent by St. Gregory I the Great to help St. Augustine of Canterbury in the evangelization of he Anglo people. He was consecrated Bishop and eventually appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.
St. Egbert, priest (†729). Priest and monk who evangelized several regions of Europe. He died on the Island of Iona, Scotland, after celebrating the solemnity of Easter.
St. Benedict Menni, priest (†1914). Restored the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God in Spain, Portugal and Mexico and founded the Congregation of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Madrid. He died in Dinan, France.
St. William Firmatus, hermit (†1103). Canon and physician in Tours, France, he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and spent the rest of his life in solitude.
Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad, virgin (†1957). Religious of Swedish origin who died in Rome. She helped to revive the Order of St. Bridget.
St. Deodatus, deacon and abbot (†fourth century). After leading a life as an anchorite, he formed a community in Blois (France) with a group of disciples attracted by his example. He refused priestly ordination, considering himself unworthy.
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