Friday in the 5th Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of St. Bernardine of Siena, priest (†1444). Franciscan priest dedicated to popular missions in Italy. He propagated the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, encouraged religious vocations and on three different occasions declined Episcopal dignity.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Acts 15:22-31
The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“ And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.
Responsorial Psalm – 57:8-9, 10 and 12 (R.10a)
R. I will give you thanks among the peoples, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and chant praise.
Awake, O my soul; awake, lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn. R.
I will give thanks to you among the peoples, O LORD,
I will chant your praise among the nations.
For your mercy towers to the heavens,
and your faithfulness to the skies.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
above all the earth be your glory! R.
Gospel – Jn 15:12-17
Jesus said to his disciples: “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
Featured Saints
St. Lydia of Thyatira. A woman described in the New Testament as “a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God” (Acts 16:14). When she heard St. Paul preaching in Philippi of Macedonia, she converted and was baptized along with her family.
St. Austregisilus, Bispo (†624). After serving in the French court, he abandoned the world and became a priest, and then an abbot. He was later appointed Bishop of Bourges, and took part in the Council of Paris. He is revered as the patron of Bourges.
St. Archangel Tadini, priest (†1912). Parish priest of Botticino Sera, in the vicinity of Brescia, Italy, and founder of the Congregation of the Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth.
St. Protasius Chong Kuk-bo, martyr (†1839). Struck with remorse for having denied Christ under torture during the Korean persecutions, he reaffirmed his Faith before the judge, was reincarcerated, and this time tortured to death.
Blessed Louis Talamoni, priest (†1926). Founded the Congregation of Misericordine Sisters in Monza, Italy, especially dedicated to serving the sick.
Blessed Colomba of Rieti, virgin (†1501). Born of a noble family in Perugia, Italy, she became a religious of the Congregation of the Sisters of Penance of St. Dominic and promoted peace between the feuding factions in that city.
Blessed Maria Crescencia Pérez, virgem (†1932). Religious from the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden in Argentina who was a dedicated teacher catechist to children as well as caring for the sick. She died at the age of 35 in Vallenar, Chile.
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