Friday in the 4th Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima.Day of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to the three shepherd children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, asking that the Holy Rosary be prayed every day for the conversion of sinners and for peace in the world.
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 13:26-33
When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent. The inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders failed to recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the oracles of the prophets that are read sabbath after sabbath. For even though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him put to death, and when they had accomplished all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now his witnesses before the people. We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you that what God promised our fathers he has brought to fulfillment for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.”
Responsorial Psalm – 2:6-7, 8-9, 10-11ab (R.7bc)
R. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I myself have set up my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
this day I have begotten you.” R.
“Ask of me and I will give you
the nations for an inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.
You shall rule them with an iron rod;
you shall shatter them like an earthen dish.” R.
And now, O kings, give heed;
take warning, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice before him;
with trembling rejoice. R.
Gospel – Jn 14:1-6
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Featured Saints
St. Servatius, bishop (†circa 384). Bishop of Tongeren (Belgium) and Maastricht (Holland), he fought alongside St. Athanasius against the Arian heresy.
St. Andrew Hubert Fournet, priest (†1834). Parish priest from Puy-en-Vélay, France, he took refuge in Spain during the French Revolution. He later returned to France and founded, together with Blessed Elizabeth Bichier des Âges, the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Cross.
St. Agnes of Poitiers, abbess (†588). Consecrated by St. Germain of Paris, she governed the Monastery of the Holy Cross of Poitiers with a true spirit of charity.
Blessed Magdalene Albrici, abbess (†1465). Augustinian religious from the Monastery of Brunate, Italy. As abbes, she inspired the desire for perfection in her sisters.
Blessed Gemma of Goriano, virgin († 1465 ). Young shepherdess who confined herself to a small cell beside the Church of Goriano Sicoli, Italy, in order to lead a life of prayer and penance.
Image gallery
