Friday in the 6th 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 18:9-18
One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, “Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, “This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.” And he drove them away from the tribunal. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (R.8a)
R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth. R.
He brings people under us;
nations under our feet.
He chooses for us our inheritance,
the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. R.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise. R.
Gospel – Jn 16:20-23
Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
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. Commemorated April 15 in the General Calendar.
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.
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