May 25, 2017 - The Ascension of the Lord (Solemnity):
Note: Where the Solemnity of the Ascension is not observed today as a Holyday of Obligation, it is assigned to the Seventh Sunday of Easter as its proper day.
Collect (Opening Prayer) - Vigil Mass:
“O God, whose Son today ascended to the heavens
as the Apostles looked on,
grant, we pray, that , in accordance with his promise,
we may be worthy for him to live with us always on earth,
and we with him in heaven.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Collect - Mass during the day:
“Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son
is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
Daily Holy Mass from the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, Canada:
dailytvmass.com/
In regions where the Solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated on the following Sunday, today is a ferial day:
May 25, 2017 - Thursday, 6th Week of Easter:
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who made your people
partakers in your redemption,
grant, we pray,
that we may perpetually render thanks
for the Resurrection of the Lord.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
May 25 - Saint Bede the Venerable, Priest & Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who bring light to your Church
through the learning of the Priest Saint Bede,
mercifully grant that your servants
may always be enlightened by his wisdom and helped by his merits.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
“Born in England, St. Bede (672-735) entered the Benedictine monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul, where he was ‘the most observant and the happiest of all monks.’ His writings are so replete with sound doctrine he was called ‘Venerable’ while still alive. He wrote commentaries on Holy Scripture and treatises on theology and history. Called the Father of English History, he popularized the dating of events ‘beforfe Christ’ (BC) and ‘in the year of Our Lord’ ('
anno Domini’; AD). He died at Jarrow, England.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
May 25 - Saint Gregory VII, Pope (Optional Memorial):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Give to your Church, we pray, O Lord,
that spirit of fortitude and zeal for justice
which you made to shine forth in Pope Saint Gregory the Seventh,
so that, rejecting evil, she may be free
to carry out in charity whatever is right.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
“Formerly the monk Hildebrand at Cluny, St. Gregory VII (d.1085) fought against the abuse of lay investiture, a chief source of evils from which the Church was suffering. His energetic papacy earned him the enmity of Emperor Henry IV, who exiled St. Gregory to Salerno, where he died.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
May 25 - Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, Virgin (Optional Memorial):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, lover of virginity,
who adorned with heavenly gifts
the Virgin Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi,
setting her on fire with your love,
grant, we pray, that we, who honor her today,
may imitate her example of purity and love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
“St. Mary (1566-1607) was born in Florence and joined the Carmelites at nineteen. She practiced mortification for the salvation of sinners; her constant exclamation was, ‘To suffer, not to die!’ With apostolic zeal she urged the renewal of the entire ecclesiastical community.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
For more on
St. Bede, the Venerable, Pope St. Gregory VII, and
St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, and information on **St. Urban and St.Madeleine Sophie Barat, **see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbede.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgregorythegreat.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/M/stmarymagdalendepazzi.asp
catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-05-25