Author: diocesan-sharon

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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Reading 1 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) 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. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R.  Alleluia.
“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. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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. You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Die to Rise / Morir Para Resucitar

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Today’s Gospel reading is a popular choice for funeral Masses. In fact, I intentionally chose this Gospel for my grandma’s funeral over three years ago. It’s comforting to hear that God has prepared a dwelling place for our loved ones who pass away. The imagery in this passage helps us to imagine that, even though our loved one is no longer with us, he or she will still be taken care of. 

For these reasons and more, this Gospel is also great for the Easter season. We have this hope for our loved ones who have gone before us because of Jesus’ Resurrection. That is what we celebrate in this 50-day liturgical season. 

Suffering and death were never a part of God’s original plan for humanity. We were supposed to live in perfect love and union with God forever and ever, like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, original sin entered the garden and suffering and death entered into our lives as a result. 

We all have had and will continue to have personal experiences with suffering and death, so the question is, how can we invite God to be part of those experiences, those times of great difficulty? 

Our Catholic faith gives us a great gift during those difficult times and that is the Resurrection. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He conquered sin and death and opened up the gates of Heaven for us. We have the hope and promise of eternal life because of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection. And we have this hope not only for ourselves but for all of God’s people. This hope gives us peace and an assurance that there is a purpose and meaning for our suffering. 

Let us always keep the Resurrection in our sights. We cannot separate the pain and suffering of His Passion from the glory of His Resurrection. Nor should we separate our own personal pain and suffering from the greater purpose that God has in store for us, because it is always for our greater good and His glory. 

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La lectura del Evangelio de hoy es una opción popular para los funerales. De hecho, elegí intencionalmente este Evangelio para el funeral de mi abuela hace más de tres años. Es reconfortante escuchar que Dios ha preparado una morada para nuestros seres queridos que han fallecido. Las imágenes de este pasaje nos ayudan a imaginar que, aunque nuestro ser querido ya no esté con nosotros, Dios lo cuidará.

Por estas razones y más, este Evangelio también es excelente para la temporada de Pascua. Tenemos esta esperanza para nuestros seres queridos que nos han precedido debido a la Resurrección de Jesús. Eso es lo que celebramos en este tiempo litúrgico que dura 50 días.

El sufrimiento y la muerte nunca fueron parte del plan original de Dios para la humanidad. Se suponía que íbamos a vivir en perfecto amor y unión con Dios por los siglos de los siglos, como Adán y Eva en el Jardín del Edén. Sin embargo, el pecado original entró en el jardín y como resultado el sufrimiento y la muerte entraron en nuestras vidas.

Todos hemos tenido y seguiremos teniendo experiencias personales con el sufrimiento y la muerte, entonces la pregunta es ¿cómo podemos invitar a Dios a ser parte de esas experiencias, de esos momentos de tanta dificultad?

Nuestra fe católica nos da un gran regalo durante esos tiempos difíciles, la Resurrección. Cuando Jesús murió y resucitó de entre los muertos, venció el pecado y la muerte y nos abrió las puertas del cielo. Tenemos la esperanza y la promesa de la vida eterna gracias a la muerte y resurrección de Jesús. Y tenemos esta esperanza no solo para nosotros sino para todo el pueblo de Dios. Esta esperanza nos da paz y seguridad de que hay un propósito y un significado para nuestro sufrimiento.

Tengamos siempre en mente la Resurrección. No podemos separar el dolor y el sufrimiento de Su Pasión de la gloria de Su Resurrección. Tampoco debemos separar nuestro propio dolor y sufrimiento personal del propósito mayor que Dios tiene reservado para nosotros, porque siempre es para nuestro bien mayor y para Su gloria.

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Erin is a Cleveland native and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is passionate about the Lord Jesus, all things college sports and telling stories and she is blessed enough to get paid for all three of her passions as a full-time youth minister and a freelance sports writer.

Feature Image Credit: Kelly Sikkema, unsplash.com/photos/mY6cga4GgOI

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter

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Reading 1 Acts 13:13-25

From Paphos, Paul and his companions
set sail and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia.
But John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
They continued on from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
After the reading of the law and the prophets,
the synagogue officials sent word to them,
“My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak.”

So Paul got up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow children of Israel and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out,
and for about forty years he put up with them in the desert.
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan,
he gave them their land as an inheritance
at the end of about four hundred and fifty years.
After these things he provided judges up to Samuel the prophet.
Then they asked for a king.
God gave them Saul, son of Kish,
a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
Then he removed him and raised up David as their king;
of him he testified,
I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.'”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25 and 27

R.(2) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
That my hand may be always with him,
and that my arm may make him strong.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
“My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him,
and through my name shall his horn be exalted.
He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia See Rv 1:5ab

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead,
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.
R. Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel Jn 13:16-20

When Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, he said to them:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
I know those whom I have chosen.
But so that the Scripture might be fulfilled,
The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send
receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

A Servant’s Heart / El Corazón De Un Siervo

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**This reflection was reposted from Diocesan Archives.**

On May 13th, Nathalie and I celebrate the anniversary of when we got engaged, on the Feast of Fatima. For those who have followed our story, you know we got married on October 13th, the other Feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

One of the reasons we stayed so close to Mary during these important moments is because of her example of service. When we got married we chose to wash each other’s feet instead of doing the typical garter and bouquet. We did this because we wanted to show the world that our marriage would be one of service, not only to each other but to the world.

It’s always great to be hit with this reading again where Jesus washes the disciple’s feet. It’s good because it makes me contemplate whether or not we have kept that mission as a couple. Have we served whenever we could? Have we served each other and God? Obviously that is a complicated question. I think we certainly have tried our best, with some great moments of service and moments when we can try harder.

This is a reminder for me and I hope it is to you as well. Sometimes we make the faith super complicated and heady. It doesn’t need to be. Are we serving? Jesus came and served. He was the Master and put himself in the place of the servant. He gave us an example. Do we follow it?

Especially in this world today, we need to serve. There is so much suffering, hurt, fear, anxiety, and worry. We can be the light to the world that goes out and serves without an expectation of getting anything back. All of us can grow in this area and that’s my prayer for myself today. That I grow even more in service during this month of Mary and try to do it in the way she did. 

From all of us here at Diocesan, God Bless!

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El 13 de mayo, Nathalie y yo celebramos el aniversario de nuestro compromiso, en la Fiesta de Fátima. Para los que han seguido nuestra historia, saben que nos casamos el 13 de octubre, la otra Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Fátima.

Una de las razones por las que nos mantuvimos tan cerca de María durante estos momentos importantes es por su ejemplo de servicio. Cuando nos casamos optamos por lavarnos los pies en lugar de hacer la típica liga y ramo. Hicimos esto porque queríamos mostrarle al mundo que nuestro matrimonio sería uno de servicio, no solo el uno para el otro sino para el mundo.

Siempre es bueno escuchar esta lectura nuevamente donde Jesús lava los pies del discípulo. Es bueno porque me hace contemplar si hemos cumplido o no esa misión como pareja. ¿Hemos servido siempre que hemos podido? ¿Nos hemos servido el uno al otro y a Dios? Obviamente esa es una pregunta complicada. Creo que ciertamente hemos hecho nuestro mejor esfuerzo, con algunos grandes momentos de servicio y momentos en los que podemos esforzarnos más.

Este es un recordatorio para mí y espero que también lo sea para ti. A veces hacemos que la fe sea súper complicada y embriagadora. No tiene que ser así. ¿Estamos sirviendo? Jesús vino y sirvió. Era el Amo y se puso en el lugar del sirviente. Nos dio un ejemplo. ¿Lo seguimos?

Especialmente en este mundo de hoy, debemos servir. Hay tanto sufrimiento, dolor, miedo, ansiedad y preocupación. Podemos ser la luz del mundo que sale y sirve sin esperar nada a cambio. Todos nosotros podemos crecer en esta área y esa es mi oración por mí mismo hoy. Que crezca aún más en el servicio durante este mes de María y trate de hacerlo como ella lo hizo.

De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!

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Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”

Feature Image Credit: Ismael Paramo, unsplash.com/photos/Cns0h4ypRyA

Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

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Reading 1 1 Cor 15:1-8

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers and sisters at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5)  Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 14:6b, 9c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord;
Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

An Archetype for You and Me / Un Arquetipo Para Ti y Para Mí

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I often wonder what my guardian angel must think of me. I am not always a quick learner. I tend to make the same mistakes in different guises and wonder why I get the same results. More often than not, I think my guardian angel must get up in the morning and think, “Here we go again.”

Today’s Gospel provides us an archetype for those of us who need repetition in learning. Literary archetypes are those images, figures, character types, settings, and story patterns which are universally found across cultures. In today’s Gospel, we can see Phillip as an archetype for those of us who don’t quite get it the first time. 

Please, allow me to paraphrase the Gospel as I talk through my meditation on today’s Gospel. Picture Jesus and the apostles hanging out under an olive tree. There aren’t any other people around and perhaps the remnants of lunch are still on the ground. It is a quiet moment. Jesus continues his teaching, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…if you know me, you know my Father. If you have seen me, you have seen my Father.”  Then, I pipe up and say, oops, I mean Phillip pipes up and says, “But if you could just show us the Father, then we would get it.” I can just imagine Jesus resisting the urge to smack his palm to his head and say, “Let’s try this again.” 

As Jesus’ response to Thomas’s doubts speaks to all of us who have ever questioned, so today, Jesus’ response to Phillip speaks to those of us who just don’t always catch on the first time. 

God is God of relationships. We see Jesus because of his relationship to the Father. It is because of their outpouring of love for one another that Jesus became man so we could see God. When we see Jesus, we see the Father’s love, we see the Father. Not only does Jesus incarnate God, Jesus shows how we are to love. We are to personify love. How many times do we think, well, if this person would just show me this side of themselves, then I would see God in them. If they didn’t cut me off in traffic, then I would see God in them. If…if…if… I imagine Jesus shaking his head and saying, “My dear, let’s try this again.” 

We are called to be in relationship. We are called to love. When we love openly, freely, completely, we won’t need to question, we will recognize the Father and the Son in each and every person we meet. 

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A menudo me pregunto qué pensará mi ángel de la guarda de mí. No siempre aprendo tan rápidamente. Tiendo a cometer los mismos errores de diferentes formas y me pregunto por qué obtengo los mismos resultados. La mayoría de las veces, creo que mi ángel de la guarda debe levantarse por la mañana y pensar: “¿De nuevo?”

El Evangelio de hoy nos proporciona un arquetipo para aquellos de nosotros que necesitamos repetición en el aprendizaje. Los arquetipos literarios son aquellas imágenes, figuras, personajes, escenarios y patrones de historias que se encuentran universalmente en todas las culturas. En el evangelio de hoy, podemos ver a Felipe como un arquetipo para aquellos de nosotros que no lo entendemos bien la primera vez.

Por favor, permítanme hacer resumen del Evangelio mientras les comparto mi meditación sobre el Evangelio de hoy. Imagínese a Jesús y a los apóstoles pasando el rato bajo un olivo. No hay otras personas alrededor y tal vez los restos del almuerzo todavía estén en el suelo. Es un momento tranquilo. Jesús continúa su enseñanza: “Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida. Nadie va al Padre si no es por mí. Si ustedes me conocen a mí, conocen también a mi Padre.” Entonces, levanto la voz y digo, oops, quiero decir, Felipe levanta la voz y dice: “Señor, muéstranos al Padre y eso nos basta.” Puedo imaginarme a Jesús resistiendo el impulso de golpearse la cabeza con la palma de la mano y decir: “Intentemos esto de nuevo”.

Así como la respuesta de Jesús a las dudas de Tomás nos habla a todos los que alguna vez hemos cuestionado, hoy, la respuesta de Jesús a Felipe nos habla a aquellos de nosotros que simplemente no siempre captamos la atención a la primera.

Dios es un Dios de relaciones interpersonales. Vemos a Jesús por su relación con el Padre. Es por su efusión de amor mutuo que Jesús se hizo hombre para que pudiéramos ver a Dios. Cuando vemos a Jesús, vemos el amor del Padre, vemos al Padre. Jesús no solo encarna a Dios, Jesús muestra cómo debemos amar. Debemos personificar el amor. ¿Cuántas veces pensamos, bueno, si esta persona me mostrara el lado bueno de sí misma, entonces vería a Dios en ella? Si no me cortaran el paso en el tráfico, entonces vería a Dios en ellos. Si… si… si… Me imagino a Jesús sacudiendo la cabeza y diciendo: “Mi querida, intentemos de nuevo”.

Estamos llamados a estar en relación. Estamos llamados a amar. Cuando amemos abiertamente, libremente, completamente, no tendremos que cuestionarnos, reconoceremos al Padre y al Hijo en todas y cada una de las personas con las que nos encontremos.

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Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy. 

Feature Image Credit: Julia Kadel, unsplash.com/photos/Tu0EfXCF1Pk

Memorial of Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

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Reading 1 Acts 11:19-26

Those who had been scattered by the persecution
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,
who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,
proclaiming the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

– – –

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

St. Pascal Baylon

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St. Pascal Baylon

Feast date: May 17

Pascal was born at Torre-Hermosa, in the Kingdom of Aragon, on May 24, 1540. He was born on the Feast of Pentecost, which in Spain is called “the Pasch of the Holy Ghost”, which is why he received the name Pascal. He died at Villa Reale, May 15, 1592, on Whitsunday.

His parents, Martin Baylon and Elizabeth Jubera, were virtuous peasants. The child began very early to display signs of that surpassing devotion towards the Holy Eucharist, which forms the salient feature of his character.

From his seventh to his twenty-fourth year, he led the life of a shepherd, and during the whole of that period exercised a salutary influence upon his companions. He was then received as a lay brother amongst the Franciscan friars of the Alcantarine Reform. In the cloister, Paschal’s life of contemplation and self-sacrifice fulfilled the promise of his early years.

His charity to the poor and afflicted, and his unfailing courtesy were remarkable. On one occasion, in the course of a journey through France, he triumphantly defended the dogma of the Real Presence against the blasphemies of a Calvinist preacher, and in consequence, narrowly escaped death at the hands of a Huguenot mob. Although poorly educated, his counsel was sought for by people of every station in life, and he was on terms of closest friendship with personages of eminent sanctity. Pascal was beatified in 1618, and canonized in 1690.

His cultus has flourished particularly in his native land and in Southern Italy, and it was widely diffused in Southern and Central America, through the Spanish Conquests.

In his Apostolic letter, Providentissimus Deus, Leo XIII declared St. Pascal the especial heavenly protector of all Eucharistic Congresses and Associations. His feast is kept on 17 May. The saint is usually depicted in adoration before a vision of the Host.

Blessed Antonia Mesina

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Blessed Antonia Mesina

Feast date: May 17

Antonia Mesina was born into a poor family in a small town in Sardinia, Italy, in 1919. She was the second of 10 children and she had to leave school after only four years to help her bed-ridden mother who suffered from a heart condition tend to the house and the other children.

Despite her heavy responsibilities at home, Antonia became a very active member of Catholic Action, an Italian Catholic organization for the laity, at the age of 10. When she was 16, she was attacked while out gathering wood after mass. He friend ran away, trying to find help. Antonia was beaten and murdered by a would-be rapist, fighting him off to her last breath. She suffered 74 strikes with a stone before she died. On 5 October 1935 the Catholic Action member Venerable Armida Barelli – who had met Antonia once – met with Pope Pius XI and informed him of Antonia’s activism and her murder. Antonia was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987 as a martyr of purity. She is a patron of rape victims.

St. John I, Pope

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St. John I, Pope

Feast date: May 18

On May 18, the Catholic Church honors the first “Pope John” in its history. Saint John I was a martyr for the faith, imprisoned and starved to death by a heretical Germanic king during the sixth century.

He was a friend of the renowned Christian philosopher Boethius, who died in a similar manner.

Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians also honor Pope St. John I, on the same date as the Roman Catholic Church.

The future Pope John I was born in Tuscany, and served as an archdeacon in the Church for several years. He was chosen to become the Bishop of Rome in 523, succeeding Pope St. Hormisdas.

During his papal reign Italy was ruled by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric. Like many of his fellow tribesmen, the king adhered to the Arian heresy, holding that Christ was a created being rather than the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Arianism had originated in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, and subsequently spread among the Western Goths. By the sixth century the heresy was weak in the East, but not dead.

In 523, the Byzantine Emperor Justin I ordered Arian clergy to surrender their churches into orthodox Catholic hands. In the West, meanwhile, Theodoric was angered by the emperor’s move, and responded by trying to use the Pope’s authority for his own ends.

Pope John was thus placed in an extremely awkward position. Despite the Pope’s own solid orthodoxy, the Arian king seems to have expected him to intercede with the Eastern emperor on behalf of the heretics. John’s refusal to satisfy King Theodoric would eventually lead to his martyrdom.

John did travel to Constantinople, where he was honored as St. Peter’s successor by the people, the Byzantine Emperor, and the Church’s legitimate Eastern patriarchs. (The Church of Alexandria had already separated by this point.) The Pope crowned the emperor, and celebrated the Easter liturgy at the Hagia Sophia Church in April of 526.

But while John could urge Justin to treat the Arians somewhat more mercifully, he could not make the kind of demands on their behalf that Theodoric expected.

The gothic king, who had recently killed John’s intellectually accomplished friend Boethius (honored by the Church as St. Severinus Boethius, on Oct. 23), was furious with the Pope when he learned of his refusal to support the Arians in Constantinople.

Already exhausted by his travels, the Pope was imprisoned in Ravenna and deprived of food. The death of St. John I came on or around May 18, which became his feast day in the Byzantine Catholic tradition and in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, he is celebrated on May 27, the date on which his exhumed body was returned to Rome for veneration in St. Peter’s Basilica.