Friday in the 4th Week of Easter
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 – Ps 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 Mim, “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. Maximus, bishop (†circa 350). After enduring torture and forced labour for the Faith, he obtained freedom and became Bishop of Jerusalem. He worked tirelessly to propagate the Faith.
St. Brito (†386). Bishop of Trier, Germany, he defended his flock from the errors of Priscillian, however, he opposed the execution of the latter and his followers, together with St. Ambrose of Milan and St. Martin of Tours..
St. Hilary of Arles, bishop (†449). Monk from the Lérins Abbey who was elected Bishop of Arles, France; he sheltered orphans, assisted the poor and preached God’s mercy to sinners.
St. Sacerdos, Bishop and monk (†eighth century). He was elected Bishop of Limoges, France; in late life he chose to return to monastic life.
St. Gotthard of Hildesheim, bishop (†1038). Benedictine monk elected Bishop of Hildesheim; he re-established religious discipline, opened schools, and acted as a father to the faithful.
St. Avertinus, deacon (†1189). Accompanied St. Thomas Becket in exile. After the death of this saint, he returned to Vençay, France, where he became a hermit.
St. Angelo, martyr (†1225). Priest from the early Carmelite Order. Born in Jerusalem, he fought the Cathar heresy and was murdered by enraged Cathars in Sicily while he was preaching int the Church of St. James in Leocata.
Blessed Gregory Frackowiak, religious and martyr (†1943). Religious from the Society of the Divine Word, imprisoned and beheaded in Dresden, Germany.
Blessed Catherine Cittadini, virgin (†1857). Founded the Congregation of Ursuline Sisters of Somasco, Italy, for the formation of poor girls, especially orphans.
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