Saturday in the Octave of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 4:13-21
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply. So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, and conferred with one another, saying, “What are we to do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign was done through them, and we cannot deny it. But so that it may not be spread any further among the people, let us give them a stern warning never again to speak to anyone in this name.” So they called them back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them in reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them further, they released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people who were all praising God for what had happened.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 118:1 and 14-15ab, 16-18, 19-21 (R. 21a)
R.I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and He has been my savior.
The joyful shout of victory
in the tents of the just. R.
“The right hand of the LORD is exalted;
the right hand of the LORD has struck with power.”
I shall not die, but live,
and declare the works of the LORD.
Though the LORD has indeed chastised me,
yet He has not delivered me to death. R.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me
and have been my savior. R.
Gospel – Mk 16:9-15
When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and told His companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this He appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, He appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had been raised. He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Featured Saints
Blessed Michael Rua, priest (†1910). Disciple and first successor of St. John Bosco; he gave great impetus to the Salesian Order.
St. Peter of Verona, priest and martyr (†1252). Born to Manichean parents, he embraced the Catholic Faith and entered the Dominican Order; he energetically combated heresies until he was killed by enemies of the Church in Milan.
St. Irenaeus of Sirmium, bishop and martyr (†fourth century). He was imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded in Sirmium of Pannonia, present day Sremska Mitrovica (Serbia), during the time of Emperor Maximianus.
St. Eutychius, bishop (†582). Patriarch of Constantinople, he fought tirelessly for doctrinal orthodoxy in a time of widespread heresy.
St. Paul Le Bao Tihn, priest and martyr (†1857). Contemplative monk who was imprisoned and exiled during religious persecution in Vietnam. Granted amnesty seven years later, he was ordained priest and wrote a compendium of Catholic doctrine. He was beheaded during the recommencement of the persecution.
Blessed Notker the Stammerer, monk (†912). He lived almost his entire life in the Abbey of St. Gall, in Swabia, modern Switzerland, where he composed numerous liturgical poems. Of weak constitution, he was nevertheless strong of mind; despite his speech impediment he had ample intelligence, and was assiduous in prayer, reading, and meditation.
St. Philaret, monk (†1076). Although born in a Muslim environment, he followed the true Faith and dedicated himself to prayer. He died in the Monastery of St. Elias in Calabria.
Blessed Zephyrinus Agostini, priest (†1896). He was a dedicated preacher and catechist. He founded the Congregation of the Ursuline Daughters of Mary Immaculate in Verona, Italy.
Blessed Catherine of Pallanza, virgin (+1478). At a young age, she lost her family to the plague, in Novara, Italy. At the age of fifteen, deeply touched by a sermon on Christ’s Passion, she consecrated herself to God and entered into a convent under the Augustinian Rule.
Blessed Pierina Morosini, virgin and martyr (†1957). Twenty-six-year-old laywoman who died defending her virginity, in Fiobbio di Albino (Italy).
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