Monday in the 7th Week of Easter
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 19:1-8
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab (R. 33a)
R.Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
God arises; His enemies are scattered,
and those who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven;
as wax melts before the fire. R.
But the just rejoice and exult before God;
they are glad and rejoice.
Sing to God, chant praise to His name;
whose name is the LORD. R.
The father of orphans and the defender of widows
is God in His holy dwelling.
God gives a home to the forsaken;
He leads forth prisoners to prosperity. R.
Gospel – Jn 16:29-33
The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave Me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”
Featured Saints
Sunday takes precedence over the Optional Memorial of St. John I, Pope and martyr (†526). He suffered persecution from the Arian king Theodoric and died in Ravenna shortly after his imprisonment as a result of ill-treatment he received there.
Blessed Blandine Merten, virgin (†1918). Religious from the Order of St. Ursula, who died in Trier, Germany; she united contemplative life with initiatives to promote the human and Christian formation of youth.
St. Felix of Cantalice, religious (†1587). Capuchin friar; he customarily spent most of the night in prayer. By day he begged for alms in the streets of Rome and cared for the poor and sick.
St. Eric IX, king and martyr (†1161). Upon ascending the throne of Sweden, he won the veneration of his faithful subjects by his ardent charity and zeal for the cause of God. He built churches and sent a bishop, St. Henry, to spread the Gospel in Finland. He was brutally murdered by his enemies, while attending Mass.
Blessed Burchard, priest (†12th century). A parish priest in Beinwil, Switzerland who distinguished himself for his zeal in administering the Sacraments and his ardent charity in caring for the spiritual needs of his parishioners.
Blessed Martin Oprzadek, priest and martyr (†1942). Franciscan Polish priest, who died in a gas chamber in Hartheim, Austria, during the Second World War, for his fidelity to Christ.
Blessed Stanislaus Kubski, priest and martyr (†1942). Was killed in the gas chambers of the concentration camp of Dachau, Germany out of hatred for the Faith.
Blessed Gerard Mecatti, hermit (†1245). Following the example of St. Francis of Assisi, he distributed his possessions to the poor and went to live in a hermitage where he devoted himself to receiving pilgrims and helping the sick.
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