Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of St. Pius V, Pope (†1572). Dominican religious, bishop and cardinal, he held offices of high responsibility in the Church. Elected Pope, he dedicated himself with energy to the propagation of the Faith and to divine worship. He brought together the Holy League, whose squadron was victorious in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 (In Canada: Celebrated May 1).
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 5:17-26
The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said, “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” When they heard this, they went to the temple early in the morning and taught. When the high priest and his companions arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin, the full senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought in. But the court officers who went did not find them in the prison, so they came back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked and the guards stationed outside the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were at a loss about them, as to what this would come to. Then someone came in and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are in the temple area and are teaching the people.” Then the captain and the court officers went and brought them, but without force, because they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
Responsorial Psalm – 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (R.7a)
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad. R.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. R.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him. R.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him. R.
Gospel – Jn 3:16-21
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.
Featured Saints
St. Marie de L’Incanation, religious (†1672). Memorial in Canada. Mystical experiences received at a young age indicated God’s will that she embrace the religious life, but she married under pressure from her parents. After being left a widow at the age of nineteen, she became an Ursuline in Tours, France. She later travelled to Canada and founded an Ursuline house dedicated to education, contributing greatly to the evangelization of the indigenous population.
St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, priest (†1842). Apostle, ascetic, penitent, mystic and pious devotee of the Virgin Mary; he founded the Little Houses of Divine Providence in Italy, to care for the sick, invalids, orphans and youth in peril.
St. Pomponius, bishop (†sixth century). He fought against the Arian heresy in the Diocese of Naples and built a church in that city dedicated to the Name of Mary, Mother of God.
St. Lawrence of Novara, priest and martyr (†fourth century). He was put to death during the reign of Julian the Apostate, together with many children whom he had just baptized.
St. Joseph Tuan, priest and martyr (†1861). Dominican priest beheaded during the persecutions in Vietnam, for administering the Sacraments to his sick mother.
Blessed Benedict of Urbino, priest (†1625). In Urbino, Italy, he became a Capuchin, to the chagrin of his illustrious family. He was the mission companion of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, helping him to fortify the faith in the countries affected by Lutheranism.
Blessed Pauline von Mallinckrodt, virgin (†1881). Foundress of the Sisters of Christian Charity in Paderborn, Germany.
St. Peter the Deacon of Rome, deacon (†605). Designated by Pope St. Gregory the Great to administer the patrimony of the Church of Rome, he did so with prudence and wisdom.
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