Saints and the Liturgical Year

[Amiciel]

In regions where the Solemnity of the Ascension was not celebrated on May 14th:

May 17, 2015 - Solemnity of The Ascension of the Lord:

Today is also Catholic Communications Sunday.

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:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-17

---

Sharing this reflection on today’s Gospel Reading from the Euchalette, Solemnity of the Ascension, May 17, 2015, p.1:

Today, we also celebrate 49th World Communications Sunday.

Today’s Scripture Readings:
new.usccb.org/bible/readings/051715.cfm

"Tasked to Build God’s Kingdom"

"Jesus’ ascension marks the climax of his glorification, but it does not mean that he has severed his relationship with us. It only means that, while still remaining the great “protagonist” in the history of salvation, Jesus recedes for a time into the background to let the members of the Church play their role in the construction of God’s Kingdom with a greater sense of responsibility.

All of us are involved in this great enterprise which is the core of God’s plan for mankind. We do our share in it by contributing to the proclamation of the Gospel and by making the Kingdom present through a life of authentic Christian witness.

Today we also observe the 49th World Communications Sunday. Let us keep in our prayers all the Media practitioners and the recipients of their service." (p.1; emphasis added.)

 

[grateful_child]

May 19, 2015 - Tuesday, 7th Week of Easter:

Collect:
“Grant, we pray, almighty and merciful God,
that the Holy Spirit, coming near
and dwelling graciously within us,
may make of us a perfect temple of his glory.
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 readings and reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

For information on St. Peter Celestine,St. Prudentiana, and St. Ives Kermartin of Bretagne, see link:
catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-19

 

[grateful_child]

May 20, 2015 - Wednesday, 7th Week of Easter:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Graciously grant to your Church, O merciful God,
that, gathered by the Holy Spirit,
she may be devoted to you with all her heart
and united in purity of intent.
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

May 20 - Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who gave the Priest Saint Bernardine of Siena
a great love for the holy Name of Jesus,
grant, through his merits and prayers,
that we may ever be set aflame
with the spirit of your 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. Bernardine (1380-1444) entered the Franciscan Order and spread devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. With great fervor he won the conversion of many souls.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Bernardine of Siena, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/B/stbernadineofsiena.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-20

 

[grateful_child]

May 21, 2015 - Thursday, 7th Week of Easter:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“May your Spirit, O Lord, we pray,
imbue us powerfully with spiritual gifts,
that he may give us a mind pleasing to you
and graciously conform us to your will.
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

May 21 - Saint Christopher Magallanes, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty and eternal God,
who made the Priest Saint Christopher Magallanes and his companions
faithful to Christ the King even to the point of martyrdom,
grant us, through their intercession,
that, persevering in confession of the true faith,
we may always hold fast to the commandments of your 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. Christopher (1869-1927) was joined in martyrdom by twenty-one diocesan priests and three of the lay faithful, all members of the Cristeros movement against the anti-Catholic Mexican government during the 1920’s. Having erected a seminary at Totatiche, he spread the Gospel and ministered to the people secretly. When imprisoned, he was heard to shout from his cell: “I am innocent and I die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on **St. Christopher and Companions **and St. Eugene de Mazenod, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-21

 

[grateful_child]

May 22, 2015 - Friday, 7th Week of Easter:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who by the glorification of your Christ
and the light of the Holy Spirit
have unlocked for us the gates of eternity,
grant, we pray,
that, partaking of so great a gift,
our devotion may grow deeper
and our faith be strengthened.
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

May 22 - Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord,
the wisdom and strength of the Cross,
with which you were pleased to endow Saint Rita,
so that, suffering in every tribulation with Christ,
we may participate ever more deeply in his Paschal Mystery.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

“Born in the town of Roccaporena in the province of Umbria, Italy, St. Rita (1381-1457) was married and raised two sons. After the murder of her husband, she urged forgiveness rather than the customary vendetta. She was denied entrance to the Augustinian convent because of the threat of violent revenge by her husband’s relatives. Through her intercession a promise of forgiveness and peace was secured, and she began forty years of austerities, contemplation, and service to the sick and poor. Toward the end of her life, she bore a wound as from a thorn after having heard a sermon about the Crown of Thorns.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on **St. Rita of Cascia **, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/R/stritaofcascia.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-22

 

[grateful_child]

May 23,2015 - Saturday, 7th Week of Easter:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that we, who have celebrated the paschal festivities,
may by your gift hold fast to them
in the way that we live our lives.
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

For information on St. Julia of Corsica and St. John Baptist de Rossi, see link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-23

 

[grateful_child]

May 24, 2015 - Pentecost Sunday

Collect (Vigil Mass):
“Almighty ever-living God,
who willed the Paschal Mystery
to be encompassed as a sign in fifty days,
grant that from out of the scattered nations
the confusion of many tongues
may be gathered by heavenly grace
into one great confession of your name.
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.”

Collect (Mass during the Day):
“O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast
sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation,
pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit
across the face of the earth
and, with the divine grace that was at work
when the Gospel was first proclaimed,
fill now once more the hearts of believers.
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=2015-05-24

“With Easter Time now concluded, the paschal candle is extinguished.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF)​

Come Holy Spirit, Come! Happy Pentecost Sunday!!!

 

[Amiciel]

May 24, 2015 - Pentecost Sunday

Collect (Mass during the Day):
“O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast
sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation,
pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit
across the face of the earth
and, with the divine grace that was at work
when the Gospel was first proclaimed,
fill now once more the hearts of believers.
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=2015-05-24

“With Easter Time now concluded, the paschal candle is extinguished.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF)​

Come Holy Spirit, Come! Happy Pentecost Sunday!!!

Sharing this reflection on the Solemnity of Pentecost from the Euchalette, May 24, 2015, p.4:

The Spirit That Unites and Purifies Us

"Jesus freed us from sin through his passion, death and resurrection. Thanks to him, salvation is made available and offered to all men. But this does not mean that we are all herded into heaven. Christ destroyed sin, but not our freedom. It is still possible that we say once again “No!” to God.

As long as we live on earth, sin remains a ‘possible accident’ caused by a number of reasons, the main ones of which are the devil’s temptations, the negative influence of the environment in which we live, and especially the moral weakness of our wounded nature. Experience shows that sin remains a sad reality to this very day, both in ourselves and around us.

Jesus knew it would be so. That is why he repeatedly promised and eventually gave the Holy Spirit to the Church that she might continue his healing mission in the power of the Source of all unity, solidarity and holiness. Thus, Jesus completed his redemptive work by commissioning the Church to carry on the struggle against all that divides mankind, all that makes us selfish, proud, aggressive and oppressive.

And this is what the Church has been doing in her 2,000 years of existence, in spite of all the limitations and weaknesses that come to her from her “human component.” The Holy Spirit, present in her as her “soul,” is the divine Power that keeps the Church alive, constantly renews her, guides her into an ever greater appreciation of the truths of revelation, sanctifies and strengthens her against all dangers and oppositions."
(Read on for continutation of thought.)

 

[Amiciel]

The Spirit That Unites and Purifies Us - continued:

"And so the mystery of the Incarnation continues – God saving men through men, not just through the all-holy Jesus, but also through the ministry of frail and sinful people, sanctified and strengthened by the Spirit of love, unity, and holiness.

We will never be able to fully appreciate the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each of us. Without him the Church would be just a human institution, destined to perish like all other institutions, empires and civilizations. But the Church will last until the end of time only because the Lord of Life animates her.

Thanks to the presence of the Spirit, the gift of salvation and all other gifts of the Risen Christ are channelled to men especially through those sacred acts that we call “sacraments.” In particular, the forgiving love of God becomes a reality for us, today, through the sacrament of Reconciliation which enables us to rise after every fall, purified and strengthened by God’s forgiving love." (Euchalette, May 24, 2015, p.4; emphasis added.)

 

[Amiciel]

Below is our very beautiful, classic prayer to the Holy Spirit:

COME, HOLY SPIRIT (VENI CREATOR)

"*Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come
From thy bright heavenly throne!
Come, take possession of our souls,
and make them all thine own!

Thou who art called the Paraclete,
Best gift of God above,
The living spring, the living fire,
Sweet unction, and true love!

Thou who art sevenfold in thy grace,
finger of God’s right hand,
His promise, teaching little ones
To speak and understand!

O guide our minds with thy blest light,
With love our hearts inflame,
and with thy strength which ne’er decays
Confirm our mortal frame.

Far from us drive our hellish foe,
True peace unto us bring,
And through all perils guide us safe
Beneath thy sacred wing.

Through thee may we the Father know,
Through thee, the eternal Son,
And thee, the Spirit of them both,
Thrice-blessed Three in one.

All glory to the Father be,
And to the risen Son;
The same to thee, O Paraclete,
While endless ages run. Amen.

V. Send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:
O God, who hast taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that by the gift of the same Spirit
we may be always truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. *
(Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

 

[grateful_child]

May 25, 2015 - Monday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

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=2015-05-25

 

[grateful_child]

May 26 - Saint Philip Neri, Priest (Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who never cease to bestow the glory of holiness
on the faithful servants you raise up for yourself,
graciously grant
that the Holy Spirit may kindle in us that fire
with which he wonderfully filled
the heart of Saint Philip Neri.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“Born in Florence, St. Philip (1515-1595) was ordained in 1551, and in 1564 he founded the Congregation of the Oratory. He is noted for his zeal tro convert sinners through the Sacrament of Penance and his cheerful disposition. He was a catechist and spiritual guide of extraordinary talent.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Philip Neri and St. Eleutherius, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stphilipneri.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-26

 

[grateful_child]

May 27, 2015 - Tuesday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:
(Note regarding the Collect: “On the weekdays of Ordinary Time, these prayers may be taken from the preceding Sunday, from another Sunday of Ordinary Time, or from the Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Collect (Openint Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

May 27 - Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who by the preaching
of Bishop Saint Augustine of Canterbury
led the English peoples to the Gospel,
grant, we pray, that the fruits of his labors
may remain ever abundant in your Church.
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.”

“Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine (d.604) to England to convert the English people to Christianity. He baptized King Ethelbert of Kent and many of his subjects. At Canterbury St. Augustine founded a monastery and his episcopal see.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Augustine of Canterbury, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/staugustineofcanterbury.asp
catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-27

 

[grateful_child]

May 28, 2015 - Thursday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Read about St. Bernard of Montjoux:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-28

 

[grateful_child]

May 27, 2015 - Tuesday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:
(Note regarding the Collect: “On the weekdays of Ordinary Time, these prayers may be taken from the preceding Sunday, from another Sunday of Ordinary Time, or from the Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Collect (Openint Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

May 27 - Saint Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who by the preaching
of Bishop Saint Augustine of Canterbury
led the English peoples to the Gospel,
grant, we pray, that the fruits of his labors
may remain ever abundant in your Church.
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.”

“Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine (d.604) to England to convert the English people to Christianity. He baptized King Ethelbert of Kent and many of his subjects. At Canterbury St. Augustine founded a monastery and his episcopal see.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Augustine of Canterbury, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/staugustineofcanterbury.asp
catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-27

Correction: May 27, 2015 is Wednesday (not Tuesday), 8th Week of Ordinary Time. My apologies.

 

[grateful_child]

May 29, 2015 - Friday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-29

 

[grateful_child]

May 30, 2015 - Saturday, 8th Week in Ordinary Time:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant us, O Lord, we pray,
that the course of our world
may be directed by your peaceful rule
and that your Church may rejoice,
untroubled in her devotion.
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 reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Read about St. Felix I and St. Joan of Arc:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-05-30

 

[grateful_child]

May 31, 2015 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (First Sunday after Pentecost):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“God our Father, who by sending into the world
the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification
made known to the human race your wondrous mystery,
grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith,
we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory
and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty.
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=2015-05-31​

May 31- Today is also the calendar feast of The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It gives way to the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

Collect:
“Almighty ever-living God,
who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,
inspired her to visit Elizabeth,
grant us, we pray,
that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,
we may magnify your greatness
with the Virgin Mary at all times.
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.”

The Feast of the Visitation “is celebrated between the Annunciation and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, as recorded in St. Matthew’s Gospel. The Visitation is the meeting between the Blessed Virgin Mary and her cousin St. Elizabeth, the mother of St. John the Baptist. Our Lady’s Magnificat is a manifestation of her humility before God, and her readiness to serve St. Elizabeth’s temporal needs is a lesson in charity.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on the **Feast of the Visitation **, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/V/visitationoftheblessedvirginmary.asp
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=12037959#post12037959

 

[grateful_child]

June 1 - St. Justin, Martyr (Memorial)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the folly of the Cross
wondrously taught Saint Justin the Martyr
the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,
grant us, through his intercession,
that, having rejected deception and error,
we may become steadfast in the faith.
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. Justin (d. 165) was a philosopher born in Samaria. A convert to Christianity, he passionately sought after the truth, which he found in Christ. He defended the Christian Faith in his writings, notably in his Apologies and Dialogue with Trypho. He was martyred in Rome during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Justin, Martyr, see link:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjustin.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-06-01

 

[Amiciel]

May 31, 2015 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (First Sunday after Pentecost):

Collect (Opening Prayer):

“God our Father, who by sending into the world
the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification
made known to the human race your wondrous mystery,
grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith,
we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory
and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty.
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=2015-05-31

The following reflection is from today’s Euchalette on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, p.4:

THE LOVING GOD WHO IS EVERYTHING TO US

Created in the image and likeness of God, man is the most noble of all creatures. But, while without baptism we are only the privileged recipients of God’s creative love, through baptism we become also the unique recipients of God’s redeeming and elevating love by becoming personally related to each of the three divine Persons. In fact, through this sacrament, we become children of the eternal Father, brothers/sisters of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and sacred abodes of the Holy Spirit.

This life-giving relationship with each Person of the Blessed Trinity is neither a temporary role, nor an external label. Rather, it effects a permanent transformation in our being. We become a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). We acquire the greatest dignity in the universe. And all this, not on account of any personal merit on our part, but solely because “So much has the Father loved us that we are called God’s children – and so, in fact, we are” (Jn 3:1).

As such, impelled by the Spirit who dwells in us, we dare call God “Abba, Father,” the same delicate appellation which Jesus himself used when addressing his eternal Father (see Rom 8:15; Gal 4:5-7 and Mk 14:36). Our relationship with the Blessed Trinity has a dynamic orientation. By its very nature, it tends to bring us ever closer to the divine Persons, till we come to contemplate them “face to face,” i.e., we experience their love in the most direct and full manner. In fact, “if we are children, we are also heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17)." (The Euchalette, 05/31/2015, p. 4; emphasis added.)
(Pls read on for continuation of thought.)