Category: Liturgical Year

Today is the 7th Sunday of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In some places, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord Jesus today.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 20, in both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Bernardine of Siena, priest and confessor, who died in A.D. 1444. In the Ordinary Form, it is an optional memorial, and in the Extraordinary Form, it is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Bernardine, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

202. “In recommending the value and beauty of the Rosary to the faithful, care should be taken to avoid discrediting other forms of prayer, or of overlooking the existence of a diversity of other Marian chaplets which have also been approved by the Church.” It is also important to avoid inculcating a sense of guilt in those who do not habitually recite the Rosary: “The Rosary is an excellent prayer, in regard to which, however, the faithful should feel free to recite it, in virtue of its inherent beauty.”

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Today is Saturday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 19, there is no special fixed liturgical day in the Ordinary Form.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Peter Celestine, PC, who died in A.D. 1296. It is a Class III day.

In the Extraordinary Form, we also celebrate St. Pudentiana, virgin, who died in A.D. 163. This celebration is a commemoration.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Peter Celestine, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Pudentiana, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

201. The custom of making an insertion in the recitation of the Hail Mary, which is an ancient one that has not completely disappeared, has often been recommended by the Pastors of the Church since it encourages meditation and the concurrence of mind and lips.

Insertions of this nature would appear particularly suitable for the repetitive and meditative character of the Rosary. It takes the form of a relative clause following the name of Jesus and refers to the mystery being contemplated. The meditation of the Rosary can be helped by the choice of a short clause of a Scriptural and Liturgical nature, fixed for every decade.

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Today is Friday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, the liturgical color for today is red.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 18, in the Ordinary Form, we celebrate St. John I, pope and martyr. It is an optional memorial.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Venantius of Camerino, martyr, who died in A.D. about 250. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. John I, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Venantius, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

On the nine days between (not including) Ascension Thursday and Pentecost, many pray a Pentecost Novena. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

The Pentecost Novena

155. The New Testament tells us that during the period between the Ascension and Pentecost “all…joined in continuous prayer, together with several women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1, 14) while they awaited being “clothed with the power from on high” (Lk 24, 49). The pious exercise of the Pentecost novena, widely practiced among the faithful, emerged from prayerful reflection on this salvific event.

Indeed, this novena is already present in the Missal and in the Liturgy of the Hours, especially in the second vespers of Pentecost: the biblical and eucological texts, in different ways, recall the disciples’ expectation of the Paraclete. Where possible, the Pentecost novena should consist of the solemn celebration of vespers. Where such is not possible, the novena should try to reflect the liturgical themes of the days from Ascension to the Vigil of Pentecost.

In some places, the week of prayer for the unity Christians is celebrated at this time.

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Today is Thursday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

This is a holyday of obligation (Ascension) in some parts of the world–including some parts of the United States. If it is a holyday of obligation in your area, be sure to go to Mass if you didn’t go yesterday evening.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 17, there is no special fixed liturgical day in the Ordinary Form.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Pascal Baylon, OFM, confessor, who died in A.D. 1592. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Pascal Baylon, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

200. Those who recite a third of the Rosary sometimes assign the various mysteries to particular days: joyful (Monday and Thursday), sorrowful (Tuesday and Friday), glorious (Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday).

Where this system is rigidly adhere to, conflict can arise between the content of the mysteries and that of the Liturgy of the day: the recitation of the sorrowful mysteries on Christmas day, should it fall on a Friday. In cases such as this it can be reckoned that “the liturgical character of a given day takes precedence over the usual assignment of a mystery of the Rosary to a given day; the Rosary is such that, on particular days, it can appropriately substitute meditation on a mystery so as to harmonize this pious practice with the liturgical season.” Hence, the faithful act correctly when, for example, they contemplate the arrival of the three Kings on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, rather than the finding of Jesus in the Temple. Clearly, such substitutions can only take place after much careful thought, adherence to Sacred Scripture and liturgical propriety.

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Today is Wednesday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

Note: Tomorrow is a holyday of obligation (Ascension) in some parts of the world–including some parts of the United States. If it is a holyday of obligation in your area, be sure to go to Mass either this evening or tomorrow.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day and the Vigil of the Ascension.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 16, there is no special fixed liturgical day in the Ordinary Form.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Ubald, bishop of Gubbio, confessor, who died in A.D. 1160. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Ubald, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

199. With due regard for the nature of the rosary, some suggestions can now be made which could make it more proficuous.

On certain occasions, the recitation of the Rosary could be made more solemn in tone “by introducing those Scriptural passages corresponding with the various mysteries, some parts could be sung, roles could be distributed, and by solemnly opening and closing of prayer.”

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Today is Tuesday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 15, in the Ordinary Form in the United States, we celebrate St. Isidore of Seville. It is an optional memorial.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. John Baptist de la Salle, founder of the Brothers of Christian Schools, confessor, who died in A.D. 1719. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Isidore, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. John Baptist de la Salle, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

198. The Blessing for Rosary Beads indicates the Church’s esteem for the Rosary. This rite emphasises the community nature of the Rosary. In the rite, the blessing of rosary beads is followed by the blessing of those who meditate on the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord so as to “establish a perfect harmony between prayer and life.”

As indicated in the Benedictionale, Rosary beads can be blessed publicly, on occasions such as a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine, a feast of Our Lady, especially that of the Holy Rosary, and at the end of the month of October.

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Today is Monday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is red.

In the Extraordinary Form, the liturgical color for today is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 14, in the Ordinary Form, we celebrate St. Matthias, apostle. It is a feast.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Boniface, martyred at Tarsus, who died in A.D. 307. It is a commemoration.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Matthias, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Boniface, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

197. The Rosary, or Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the most excellent prayers to the Mother of God. Thus, “the Roman Pontiffs have repeatedly exhorted the faithful to the frequent recitation of this biblically inspired prayer which is centred on contemplation of the salvific events of Christ’s life, and their close association with the his Virgin Mother. The value and efficacy of this prayer have often been attested by saintly Bishops and those advanced in holiness of life.”

The Rosary is essentially a contemplative prayer, which requires “tranquillity of rhythm or even a mental lingering which encourages the faithful to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life.” Its use is expressly recommended in the formation and spiritual life of clerics and religious.

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Today is the 6th Sunday of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 13, in the Ordinary Form, we celebrate Our Lady of Fatima. It is an optional memorial.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Robert Bellarmine, SJ, bishop, confessor, and doctor of the Church, who died in A.D. 1621. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about Our Lady of Fatima, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Robert Bellarmine, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

196. By disposition of Benedict XIV (2 April 1742), the Angelus is replaced with the antiphon Regina Coeli during paschaltide. This antiphon, probably dating from the tenth or eleventh century, happily conjoins the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word (quem meruisti portare) with the Paschal event (resurrexit sicut dixit). The ecclesial community addresses this antiphon to Mary for the Resurrection of her Son. It adverts to, and depends on, the invitation to joy addressed by Gabriel to the Lord’s humble servant who was called to become the Mother of the saving Messiah (Ave, gratia plena).

As with the Angelus, the recitation of the Regina Coeli could sometimes take a solemn form by singing the antiphon and proclaiming the Gospel of the resurrection.

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Today is Saturday of the 5th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, the liturgical color for today is red.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 12, in both the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St.s Nereus and Achilleus Flavia Domitilla, and St. Pancras, martyrs, who died in A.D. 98 and 304. In the Ordinary Form, it is an optional memorial, and in the Extraordinary Form, it is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St.s Nereus, Achilleus, Flavia Domitilla and St. Pancras, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

195. The Angelus Domini [Angelus, “The Angel of the Lord”] is the traditional form used by the faithful to commemorate the holy annunciation of the angel Gabriel to Mary. It is used three times daily: at dawn, mid-day and at dusk. It is a recollection of the salvific event in which the Word became flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit in accordance with the salvific plan of the Father.

The recitation of the Angelus is deeply rooted in the piety of the Christian faithful, and strengthened by the example of the Roman Pontiffs. In some places changed social conditions hinder its recitation, but in many other parts every effort should be made to maintain and promote this pious custom and at least the recitation of three Aves. The Angelus“over the centuries has conserved its value and freshness with its simple structure, biblical character […] quasi liturgical rhythm by which the various time of the day are sanctified, and by its openness to the Paschal Mystery.”

It is therefore “desirable that on some occasions, especially in religious communities, in shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and at meetings or conventions, the Angelus be solemnly recited by singing the Ave Maria, proclaiming the Gospel of the Annunciation” and by the ringing of bells.

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Today is Friday of the 5th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, the liturgical color for today is red.

 

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 11, there is no special fixed liturgical day in the Ordinary Form.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St.s Philip and James, apostles, who died in A.D. 87 and 93. It is a Class II day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Philip, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. James, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

 

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

 

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

194. “Celebrations of the Word, because of their thematic and structural content, offer many elements of worship which are at the same time genuine expressions of devotion and opportunities for a systematic catechesis on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Experience, however, proves that celebrations of the Word should not assume a predominantly intellectual or didactic character. Through hymns, prayers, and participation of the faithful they should allow for simple and familiar expressions of popular piety which speak directly to the hearts of the faithful.”

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