Monday in the 7th Week of Easter
Optional memorial of St. Rita of Cascia, religious (†1457). Revered as a patroness of seemingly impossible cases. She patiently bore the harsh treatment of her husband. After his death and that of her two sons, she entered the Augustinian convent at Cascia where she was an exemplary religious. She was favoured with mystical visions and bore permanent wound on her forehead associated with the crown of thorns.
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
St. Atto, bishop (†c. 1153). After serving as abbot of the Order of Vallumbrosa, he was elect ed to the Episcopal Seat of Pistoia, Italy.
St. Dominic Ngon, martyr (†1862). Father of a family who was decapitated during the persecutions in Vietnam, for refusing to renounce his Faith.
St. John Forest, priest and martyr († 1538). Franciscan priest, burned alive during the reign of Henry VIII of England, for defending the unity of the Catholic Church.
Blessed Matthias of Arima, martyr (†1620). Catechist from Oruma, Japan; tortured to death for refusing to denounce the missionaries.
Blessed Humility (Rosanna), abbess (†1310). At twenty-four years of age, she and her husband decided to abandon the world and enter religious life. Drawn by her example, several young women joined her in the Monastery of St. Maria Novella, of which she became prioress.
Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini, religious (†1868). Widow who dedicated herself to helping the impoverished sick and founded the Congregation of the Sister Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus in Lucca, Italy.
Blesseds Peter of the Assumption and John Baptist Machado, priests and martyrs (†1617) Franciscan priests beheaded in Kori, Japan, out of hatred for the Faith.
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