Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 St. Joseph St. Athanasius Ss. Philip the Worker & James 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sixth Sunday St. Damian of Easter de Veuster 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Ascension St. Matthias St. Isadore May Saints May Saints 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Pentecost Mary, Mother St. Philip of the Church Neri by Benvenuto Tisi (1481-1559). Tisi (1481-1559). by Benvenuto 27 28 29 30 31 Holy Trinity Memorial Day Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Ascension The Ascension Living with the Saints In 1955, at the height of the Cold War, Pope mission to minister to those in an infamous lep- birth of the faithful into the Church.” The Holy Pius XII established a memorial in honor of er colony on the island. He endured many hard- Father wished to stress the important role Mary 1St. Joseph the Worker as a Christian alternative ships but stayed and ministered even after he plays as well as the example she gave, becoming to May Day celebrations in communist coun- himself contracted leprosy. Pray for those who the Mother of the Church as she stood at the tries. St. Joseph, patron workers, was himself a are sick today, especially those who may be dis- foot of the Cross. Seek the intercession of the carpenter. Today, ask St. Joseph to intercede for figured of have become outcasts because of their Blessed Mother for the Church. today. all workers, especially those who work in harsh illness. Saint Philip Neri (1515-95) was a priest of conditions. Also, remember those who want jobs The first chapter of the Acts of the Apos- Rome who went on to found a religious but can’t find them. 26 14 tles describe the events surrounding order called the Oratorians. He sometimes is Saint Athanasius (295-373) was the Bishop choosing a successor for Judas. They chose Mat- called the “Third Apostle of Rome,” after Ss. Pe- 2 of Alexandria in Egypt. The early Church thias, who was among those who had been with ter and Paul. He said, “A joyful heart is more was struggling with the formation of doctrine in Jesus since his Baptism by John through his As- easily made perfect than a downcast one.” To- those early days and St. Athanasius defended the cension into heaven. Little is known about him, day, reflect upon the many blessings which God Church against common errors of the day. He but he clearly was a devout follower of Jesus, bestows on us and offer him a cheerful sacrifice was such a strong teacher that he is one of 36 worthy of the title “Apostle.” Read the first chap- of praise! saints called “Doctor of the Church.” Today is a ter of the Acts of the Apostles today. While Memorial Day is a secular holiday, good day to pray the Nicene or the Apostles Creed. Saint Isadore (c. 1080-1130) was a farmer 29 it often is celebrated in churches through- Saints Philip and James were Apostles and 15 who lived in Madrid, Spain. His wife, Ma- out our country. While it is the unofficial “first 3 martyrs. St. Philip was first a disciple of St. ria, also is now a saint. They were a holy couple day of summer,” the day has been set aside to John the Baptist and witnessed the Baptist who prayed and did what they could for those in remember all those who died defending our pointing to Jesus and declaring “Behold the need. Today, pray for the many farmers living in country. If you can, start the day off at church Lamb of God.” St. James became the first Bishop our diocese, that they may be safe throughout with Mass and pray for those who died for our of Jerusalem after the Lord ascended into heav- the year and that their land will yield an abun- country. Pray that we may honor them by work- en. His mother, thought to be Mary of Clopas, dant harvest. ing to maintain a free and peaceful legacy for was one of the women who stayed at the foot of generations to come. Earlier this year Pope Francis inscribed a the cross during the crucifixion. Some think that new feast on the universal liturgical cal- Shortly after the Blessed Virgin Mary he is the author of the Letter of St. James. Read 21 endar: The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin learned that she would bear the Son of James chapter 3 today and reflect on what it 31 Mary, Mother of the Church. This memorial will God, she traveled to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, says. fall each year on the Monday following Pente- who was pregnant with St. John the Baptist. aint Damian de Veuster (1840-99) often is cost. In the decree announcing this new liturgi- Mary proclaimed one of the great prayers of the referred to as St. Damian of Moloka’i be- cal day, St. Augustine was quoted as saying, Church–the Magnificat–during this encounter. causeS of his years of selfless ministry on this is- “Mary is the mother of the members of Christ, Read Luke 1:39-56 today and reflect upon this land which is part of Hawaii. He received per- because with charity she cooperated in the re- joyful meeting of cousins. .