Wednesday in the 5th Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of St. John of Avila, priest (†1569). Renowned Spanish mystic, friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola and adviser to St. Teresa of Avila.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 15:1-6
Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice, you cannot be saved.” Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters about this question. They were sent on their journey by the Church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brethren. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic Law.” The Apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5 (R. see 1)
R.Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. R.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. R.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. R.
Gospel – Jn 15:1-8
Jesus said to His disciples: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and everyone that does He prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in Me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in Me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become My disciples.”
Featured Saints
In US: Optional Memorial of St. Damien de Veuster, priest (†1889). Religious of the Congregation of Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He dedicated himself to serving the lepers on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, and died as a victim of the disease.
Job. Commemoration of the admirable man of patience in tribulation, from the land of Hus, whose story is recounted in the Old Testament Book bearing his name.
St. William, priest (†1195). Born in England, he exercised his ministry as a parish priest in Pantoise, France, as a Benedictine hermit; there he stood out for his piety and zeal for the salvation of souls.
St. Comgall, abade (†622). Born in Ulster, Ireland, He founded the renowned monastery of Bangor in the North, which became an important centre of leaning evangelization of the time, where great figures such as St. Columbanus, St. Gall would receive their formation.
St. Solange of Bourges, virgin and martyr (†circa ninth century). Born into a family of farmers, near Bourges, France; she died at age sixteen, defending her virginity.
Blessed Nicholas Albergati, bishop (†1443). He organized ecclesiastical discipline in the Diocese of Bologna, Italy, and encouraged the founding of public catechism schools. He carried out important diplomatic missions on behalf of the Holy See.
Blessed Henry Rebuschini, priest (†1938). Priest of the Order of Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick; he cared for the sick in hospitals of Verona and Cremona, Italy.
Blessed Ivan Merz, layman (†1928). He worked as a professor in Zagreb, Croatia, serving as a model to youth of a man of Faith and a teacher faithful to Christ.
Blessed Beatrice d’Este, virgin (†1226). From a noble Italian family, she restored an ancient monastery near Padua, founding a community there under the Benedictine rule.
Image gallery
