April 23, 2014 - Wednesday within the Octave of Easter:
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who gladden us year by year
with the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection,
graciously grant,
that, by celebrating these present festivities,
we may merit through them to reach eternal joys.
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:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-04-23
April 23 - St. George, Martyr (Optional Memorial outside of Octave of Easter):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Extolling your might, O Lord,
we humbly implore you,
that, as Saint George imitated the Passion of the Lord,
so he may lend us ready help in our weakness.
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.”
“Popular symbolism presents St. George (d.303) as a knight killing a dragon: the triumph of faith over the forces of evil. Born into an illustrious family in Cappadocia, at a young age he ministered during Emperor Diocletian’s reign. When the emperor promulgated an edict against Christians, St. George professed his faith publicly, for which he was martyred. He is the patron saint of England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Genoa, and Venice. His tomb is in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
April 23 - Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial outside of Octave of Easter):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who bestowed the crown of martyrdom
on the Bishop Saint Adalbert,
as he burned with zeal for souls,
grant, we pray, by his prayers,
that the obedience of the flock may never fail the shepherds,
nor the care of the shepherds be ever lacking to the flock.
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. Adalbert (956-997) was consecrated Bishop of Prague, whence he encouraged the evanlization of the Magyars. For having given sanctuary to a noblewoman convicted of adultery - and having excommunicated those involved in her being dragged from the church and murdered - he was exiled by the nobles of Prague. He preached the Gospel in Poland, Hungary, Russia, and Prussia, where he was martyred.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
For more on Saints George and Adalbert, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/G/stgeorge.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/stadalbertofprague.asp