Feast of St. John the Evangelist
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. Son of Zebedee, brother of St. James the Greater, and initially a disciple of St. John the Baptist and a fisherman. Together with St. Andrew, he was one of the first to follow Our Lord. Known as the beloved disciple, he remained at the foot of the Cross during the Crucifixion, together with the Blessed Virgin, whom Our Lord entrusted His Mother.
Mass Readings
First Reading – December 28, 2024
Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12 (R.*)
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are around him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory. R.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name. R.
Gospel – Jn 20:1a and 2-8
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.
Featured Saints
St. Theodore, monk and martyr (†circa 841). Monk from the Lavra of St. Sabbas in Palestine, he was imprisoned and tortured in Constantinople by iconoclasts. He died in prison in present day Hisarlik, Turkey.
St. Fabiola, widow (†400). A Roman noblewoman who founded a hospital and dedicated herself to prayer, penance and service of the poor.
Blessed Alfredo Parte, priest and martyr (†1936). Religious from the Congregation of Piarists, who was killed during the Spanish Civil War for being a priest.
Blessed Francis Spoto, priest (†1964). Priest from the Congregation of Missionary Servants of the Poor, assassinated by Simba guerillas while a missionary in Biringi, Congo.
Blessed José Maria Corbin Ferrer, martyr (†1936). Member of the Marian Congregations and Catholic Youth, he was shot to death on a ship in Santander, Spain, during the Spanish Civil War.
Blessed Sara Salkahazi, virgin and martyr (†1944). Virgin from the Institute of the Sisters of Social Service, shot to death in Hungary near the Danube River.
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