Liturgy & Music

Third Sunday of Easter (47) white Acts 3:13–15, 17–19 • Ps 4:2, 4, 7–8, 9 • 1 Jn 2:1–5a • Lk 24:35–48 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week III

Fourth Sunday of Easter (50) white Good Shepherd Sunday Acts 4:8–12 • Ps 118:1, 8–9, 21–23, 26, 28, 29 • 1 Jn 3:1–2 • Jn 10:11–18 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week IV World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) was a lay Dominican who devoted her life to her beloved Jesus. After a time of solitude in contemplative prayer, Jesus sent her into the world on two feet to love those he loved. She was named a Doctor of the Church and has been known for her dialogues, letters, and prayers. She cared for the sick and dying and had a ministry of reconciliation between political states and Church leaders.

Fifth Sunday of Easter (53) white Acts 9:26–31 • Ps 22:26–27, 28, 30, 31–32 • 1 Jn 3:18–24 • Jn 15:1–8 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week I

Feast of Sts. Philip and James, Apostles (561) red 1 Cor 15:1–8 • Ps 19:2–3, 4–5 • Jn 14:6–14 Gloria Proper Psalter As Apostles, Philip and James were part of Jesus’ inner circle. Philip had invited Nathanael to “come and see” Jesus. Now Philip asks Jesus to “show us the Father.” Jesus answers that to see him is to see the Father. Like Philip, we invite people to see Jesus by the way we live. First Corinthians 15:1–8 notes that Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection.

Sixth Sunday of Easter (56) white Acts 10:25–26, 34–35, 44–48 • Ps 98:1, 2–3, 3–4 • 1 Jn 4:7–10 • Jn 15:9–17 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week II

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (58) white Holyday of Obligation (in some ares) Acts 1:1–11 • Ps 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9 • Eph 1:17–23 or Eph 4:1–13 or 4:1–7, 11–13 • Mk 16:15–20 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter Easter Weekday (294) white Acts 18:1–8 • Ps 98:1, 2–3ab, 3cd–4 • Jn 16:16–20 Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima / white Solemnity: Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth. While no longer physically here on earth, Christ is with us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The Risen Christ taught the disciples how his life, death, and resurrection fulfilled what had been written in Scripture. As he prepared to ascend, he instructed them to wait together for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them. Through the Spirit’s presence, they will understand what they must do and will be given the power to share the Good News through word and deed. On this Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we will consider the call of every Christian to continue Jesus’ ministry of love. Optional Memorial: Our Lady of Fatima is a title given to Mary based on her appearance to three children in Portugal in 1917. The Virgin requested that the world consecrate themselves to her Immaculate Heart in order to bring forth peace.

Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle (564) red Acts 1:15–17, 20–26 • Ps 113:1–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 • Jn 15:9–17 Gloria Proper Psalter Matthias was chosen by lots following prayer, which asked God to show the early community which candidate God had chosen. John’s Gospel account reminds us that Christ chooses us to go and bear fruit by loving one another.

Seventh Sunday of Easter (60) white Acts 1:15–17, 20a, 20c–26 • Ps 103:1–2, 11–12, 19–20 • 1 Jn 4:11–16 • Jn 17:11b–19 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week III Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (58) white (in some ares) Acts 1:1–11 • Ps 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9 • Eph 1:17–23 or Eph 4:1–13 or 4:1–7, 11–13 • Mk 16:15–20 Proper Psalter Solemnity: Jesus Christ is Lord of heaven and earth. While no longer physically here on earth, Christ is with us through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The Risen Christ taught the disciples how his life, death, and resurrection fulfilled what had been written in Scripture. As he prepared to ascend, he instructed them to wait together for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them. Through the Spirit’s presence, they will understand what they must do and will be given the power to share the Good News through word and deed. On this Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we will consider the call of every Christian to continue Jesus’ ministry of love.

Solemnity of Pentecost (62 and 63) red Vigil: Gn 11:1–9 or Ex 19:3–8a, 16–20b or Ez 37:1–14 or Jl 3:1–5 • Ps 104:1–2, 24, 35, 27–28, 29–30 • Rom 8:22–27 • Jn 7:37–39 or, for the Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1–9 • Ps 33:10–11, 12–13, 14–15 • Ex 19:3–8a, 16–20b • Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 • Ez 37:1–14 • Ps 107:2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9 • Jl 3:1–5 • Ps 104:1–2, 24 and 35, 27–28, 29–30 • Rom 8:22–27 • Jn 7:37–39 Day: Acts 2:1–11 • 1 Cor 12:3b–7, 12–13 or Gal 5:16–25 • Ps 104:1, 24, 29–30, 31, 34 • Veni, Sancte Spiritus • Jn 20:19–23 or 15:26–27; 16:12–15 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter Today we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ways in which the Spirit inspires, guides, and strengthens us to live as Christian disciples. Especially in the later weeks of Easter Time, we have anticipated the advent of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples and in the Church. Now we hear the account of the first Pentecost, when, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Good News of Christ was shared with people from throughout the world. Those who heard the disciples speaking were amazed and astonished at the power of God.

Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church (572A) white Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Gn 3:9–15, 20 or Acts 1:12–14 • Ps 87:1–2, 3 and 5, 6–7 • Jn 19:25–34 \Psalter Week IV

Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest (349) white Sir 36:1, 4–5a, 10–17 • Ps 79:8, 9, 11, and 13 • Mk 10:32–45 St. Philip Neri (1515–1595) could “read” people’s hearts. A confessor and spiritual director, he tried to free others from fear so they could live as God’s chosen ones. Through study, prayer, sharing, and music, he invited others to union with Christ and one another through love.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (165) white Dt 4:32–34, 39–40 • Ps 33:4–5, 6, 9, 18–19, 20, 22 • Rom 8:14–17 • Mt 28:16–20 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter The essential component of being in relationship with our Trinitarian God is to allow that relationship to impact all that we say and do. To be disciples of the Lord is to live according to Jesus’ values and lifestyle and to model for others what relationship with God entails. Our mission is to do for others what Jesus had done for us, in both his words and his deeds, but most specially in his loving outreach to all. Blessed are we for having been chosen to be apostolic witnesses to all.

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (572) white Zep 3:14–18a or Rom 12:9–16 • Is 12:2–3, 4bcd, 5–6 • Lk 1:39–56 Gloria Proper Psalter On this day, we join ourselves to Mary in proclaiming the greatness of the Lord. Like Mary, our spirits rejoice in God our Savior.

Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr (354) red Tb 2:9–14 • Ps 112:1–2, 7–8, 9 • Mk 12:13–17 Psalter Week I Ninth Week in Ordinary Time St. Justin, also called Justin Martyr (c. 100–165), was born in Judea and raised pagan by parents who were probably Greek or Roman. He studied philosophy, converted to Christianity, and spent his life teaching and writing. Justin’s life ended in Rome, where he was martyred under Marcus Aurelius. He is one of the first Christian apologists and one of the first to employ philosophy as a tool toward greater understanding of revelation.

Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs (356) red Tb 6:10–11; 7:1bcde, 9–17; 8:4–9a • Ps 128:1–2, 3, 4–5 • Mk 12:28–34 St. Charles Lwanga was martyred alongside twenty-one other Christian pages in the court of Ugandan King Mwanga II for resisting the king’s immoral lifestyle, enraging Mwanga, and undermining his absolute authority over his subjects. Lwanga, a catechist, baptized his catechumens in preparation for execution, and together they were burned alive, steadfast in faith to the end.

Memorial of St. Boniface, Bishop and Martyr (358) red Tb 12:1, 5–15, 20 • Tbt 13:2, 6efgh, 7, 8 • Mk 12:38–44 St. Boniface was an Anglo-Saxon monk and bishop who evangelized in Germany with such success that he was able to reform the Frankish Church with his monks, and he died while ministering to lapsed Christians in Friesland. His often-dramatic efforts succeeded in uniting Christians across the area in a common church and spread monasteries as centers of education across Germany and France.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ / Corpus Christi (168) white Ex 24:3–8 • Ps 116:12–13, 15–16, 17–18 • Heb 9:11–15 • Lauda, Sion • Mk 14:12–16, 22–26 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter As Christians, we are called to share in Christ’s life and sacrifice. On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi, we delve into Christ’s willingness to sacrifice himself for others. God becoming human in Christ was the beginning of a life devoted to others.

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (171) white Hos 11:1, 3–4, 8c–9 • Is 12:2–3, 4, 5–6 • Eph 3:8–12, 14–19 • Jn 19:31–37 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter In honoring the Sacred Heart, we are honoring the compassion and love of Christ: his human heart, moved with pity for his flock, his divine heart, pierced for the sins of his people. From the heart of Christ, pierced by the soldier’s lance, blood and water poured out, “the wellspring of the Church’s Sacraments” (Preface for the Sacred Heart).

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (364; Gospel 573) white 2 Cor 5:14–21 • Ps 103:1–2, 3–4, 9–10, 11–12 • Lk 2:41–51 St. Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673–1716) spread devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Devotion to Mary’s heart, like devotion to Jesus’ heart, reminds us that God’s saving love is offered to all. Mary treasured in her Immaculate Heart the joys and sorrows that came with being the mother of the Word made flesh.

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (92) green Ez 17:22–24 • Ps 92:2–3, 13–14, 15–16 • 2 Cor 5:6–10 • Mk 4:26–34 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week III

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (95) green Jb 38:1, 8–11 • Ps 107:23–24, 25–26, 28–29, 30–31 • 2 Cor 5:14–17 • Mk 4:35–41 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week IV World Refugee Day

Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious (371) white Gn 12:1–9 • Ps 33:12–13, 18–19, 20 and 22 • Mt 7:1–5 St. Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ (1568–1591), died at age twenty-three while tending the sick who were dying from an epidemic in Rome. He is patron of young people and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Destined for wealth, his closeness to God moved him to give his property rights to his younger brother and profess poverty as a Jesuit. He lived the Jesuit motto, To the Greater Glory of God, by living the Golden Rule. He lived the Gospel with integrity and thus chose the narrow path. Whether we are rich or poor, sick or healthy, older or younger, we are destined for closeness to God that is expressed in service and praise.

Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (586 and 587) white Vigil: Jer 1:4–10 • 1 Pt 1:8–12 • Ps 71:1–2, 3–4a, 5–6ab, 15ab and 17 • Lk 1:5–17 Day: Is 49:1–6 • Ps 139:1b–3, 13–14ab, 14c–15 • Acts 13:22–26 • Lk 1:57–66, 89 Gloria and the Creed Proper Psalter The celebration of the birth of John the Baptist is one of three birthdays (along with the nativities of Jesus and of the Blessed Virgin Mary) commemorated in the liturgical year. John’s birth is observed during the summer solstice, on the longest day of the year, but immediately afterward the days begin to grow shorter. Jesus’ birthday is celebrated, however, during the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. But gradually and almost imperceptibly the days grow longer. It is no accident that John’s Gospel account speaks about light. John was not the light but came to testify to the light. No wonder John states that he must diminish as Christ, the Light of the World, must increase, just like the phenomena of the solstices.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (98) green Wis 1:13–15; 2:23–24 • Ps 30:2, 4, 5–6, 11, 12, 13 • 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13–15 • Mk 5:21–43 or 5:21–24, 35b–43 Gloria and the Creed Psalter Week I

Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr (377) red Gn 18:16–33 • Ps 103:1b–2, 3–4, 8–9, 10–11 • Mt 8:18–22 As bishop of Lyons, Irenaeus clearly distinguished false teachings from those consistent with Christ’s words and deeds. He hoped that clear teaching would invite his opponents to turn away from falsehood. Since it was a time flooded with political persecution and false teachers, many were martyred, including Irenaeus.

Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles (590 and 591) red Vigil: Acts 3:1–10 • Ps 19:2–3, 4–5 • Gal 1:11–20 • Jn 21:15–19 Day: Acts 12:1–11 • 2 Tm 4:6–8, 17–18 • Ps 34:2–3, 4–5, 6–7, 8–9 • Mt 16:13–19 Proper Psalter In the Piazza San Pietro in Rome, statues of Sts. Peter and Paul flank the square, symbolizing the complementary nature of these saints’ lives and mission. Paul symbolizes the person who comes to faith through a dramatic conversion, falling to the ground on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Peter is the person who comes to faith slowly and steadily, sometimes with two steps forward and one backward. He is the one who denies the Lord three times, then confesses his faith thrice. Regarding their complementary missions, Peter is the Apostle of the Jewish Christians, while Paul is the Apostle to the Gentile Christians. Today we celebrate their complementarity and pay homage to both saints.