glorytomosthigh

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weekend pleasure

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One day in Athens, Saint Porphryios was with a nun and needed to take a taxi. The taxi driver they found was an uncouth, blasphemous character. So the nun said to Saint Porphryios: "Maybe we should find another taxi." But he replied: "No, let's go with this one, but let me do all the talking."

When they got in the taxi, the taxi driver started saying all kinds of things to them about how selfish priests are, how corrupt bishops are, etc. Saint Porphyrios didn't say a word, and so neither did the nun. After going on and on for quite some time, the taxi driver started wondering why the priest and nun weren't responding. So he looked back at them and said: "So, priest, what do you have to say about all this I've said?"

Saint Porphyrios replied: "Well, let me tell you a story. There was once a very good priest in Crete whose wife had died and was living alone with his young son. But then the Nazis came and killed this priest. His son couldn't understand how God would let this happen to such a good person, and so he became very embittered and angry with God."

At this point, the taxi driver stopped the car and in tears said to Saint Porphyrios: "But, Father, that is my story." After this, the taxi driver confessed to St. Porphyrios and began to live a spiritual life.

+ From the journal of Hieromonk Ephraim

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We have to go to Liturgy, even if we stand there like stumps. Some will say: "I'm not how I should be. I don't understand any of it. My mind can't concentrate there." But go, no matter what.

One elder said: "When you stop into a perfume store, your clothes smell fragrant after you leave, even if you didn't buy anything." This is what happens, he says, when you go to Liturgy.

Maybe you won't be able to do anything spiritual, but even the fact that you went, that you stood there like a stump-that's already something. So tell yourself: "I'll go as I am-an unhewn log. After all, God knows how to hone down the unhewn log." And if you don't go because you say, "I can't, | can't concentrate," then everything will get worse and worse, and you'll never get better.

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Saint Vincent of Saragossa Died: c. 304 Feast Day: January 23 (New), January 22 (Trad) Patronage: Vicente, Lisbon; Vicenza, Italy; Portugal; vinedressers; vinegar makers; vintners; winegrowers; winemakers.

Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the Protomartyr of Spain was a deacon of the Church of Saragossa. Legend has it that he was traveling by a vineyard and his donkey nibbled on some of the vine stocks. At harvest, those stocks produced more fruit than the ones that were not pruned. Thus the reason for him being the patron of vinegar and winemakers. During the persecution of Diocletian, he was imprisoned and cruelly tortured for refusing to renounce the faith. In prison, he converted his jailer before dying of his wounds. His body was cast into a field to be devoured by vultures but was defended by a raven. It was then cast into the sea with a millstone around his neck, but miraculously arrived at the shore, found by a lady, and was honorably buried.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

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Blessed Laura Vicuna 1891-1904 Feast day: January 22 Patronage: Abuse victims, Argentina, incest victims, loss of parents, martyrs

Blessed Laura Vicuna was the first born to a noble, Chilian, military family. Her father died young, leaving the family alone and without income, so her mother took work at a large estate and unfortunately became the owner’s mistress. Yet, Laura and her sister were able to attend the Salesians Sister’s school. Here she fell in love with Jesus and secretly promised her life to God for her mother’s salvation. In 1904, with her mother at her side, she revealed “Mamma, I’m dying but I’m happy to offer my life for you. I asked our Lord for this.” Her mother instantly understood, repented of her sins and begged forgiveness.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

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St Joseph, Guardian of Sons -- Melchior Paul von Deschwanden

Eternal God, originator of Fatherhood, I offer to you the blessed office of Father. May the men who occupy this dignified place protect and care for their children and wives with valiant honesty, heroic chastity, noble humility, and stern sobriety.

Ignite a fire in the hearts of men, O God, so that they may respond to the Divine call to fatherhood, both natural and spiritual, and model themselves after the holy example of Blessed Joseph, Father of the Universal Church.

Through his intercession, may fathers be strengthened to flee from sin, subdue their flesh, wrestle with the powers of corruption, banish the darkness, and obtain victory over hell and its agents.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, sanctifier of all men, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩..𝘐 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭.

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The Visitation by Federico Barocci is a painting that depicts the moment when the Blessed Virgin Mary visits her cousin, St. Elizabeth, who is pregnant with St. John the Baptist. Barocci painted this work in the late 16th century, using oil on canvas. The painting is notable for its delicate and tender portrayal of the two women, with Mary gently embracing Elizabeth. The colors in the painting are soft and muted, giving it a sense of quiet intimacy and peacefulness.

Federico Barocci (c. 1535-1612) was an Italian painter of the late Renaissance period. Born in Urbino, Italy, he was trained by his father and then by the painter Battista Franco in Venice. Barocci's style was influenced by the works of Raphael and Titian, and he became known for his use of vivid colors, intricate details, and emotional intensity. He worked primarily for the Catholic Church, creating altarpieces and religious paintings, and his works are often characterized by their devotional and spiritual nature. The Visitation is considered one of his most significant works, and it showcases his mastery of color, composition, and emotion.

Mary’s cousin Elizabeth conceived a son in her old age for nothing is impossible with God.

Charity prompts Mary to hasten to visit Elizabeth in the hour of her need.

The journey to Elizabeth’s home is about eighty miles requiring four or five days.

Though long and arduous, the journey is joyous, for Mary bears within her the Incarnate Word.

At Mary’s salutation, John the Baptist is sanctified in his mother’s womb.

Elizabeth exclaims: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."

"How have I deserved that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

"Blessed is she who believed that the Lord’s words to her would be fulfilled."

Mary replies: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit finds joy in God my Savior."

Mary serves her cousin in all humility for three months until the birth of John the Baptist.

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"A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life." - #SaintJohnFisher #SaintoftheDay

📷 Illuminated Crucifix / © Igor_S via #GettyImages. #Catholic_Priest #CatholicPriestMedia 

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Saint Anthony of Padua Doctor of the Church 1195-1231 Feast Day: June 13 Patronage: American Indians, animals, barrenness, Brazil

St.  Anthony is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus, to whom He miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to today as the “finder of lost articles.” Upon exhumation, some 336 years after his death, his body was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it. 

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

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Saint Ephrem the Syrian Doctor of the Church 306-373Feast Day: June 9 (New), June 18 (Trad) Patronage: Spiritual directors and leaders

Saint Ephrem was a deacon, poet, teacher, musician, and defender of the faith. He wrote hundreds of hymns to counteract heresies and was the first to introduce song into public worship to relay the truths of the faith, giving him the title “Harp of the Holy Spirit”. His poetry is said to have inspired Dante. He suffered through war, famine, and persecution and died of natural causes as a hermit.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

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O joyful Virgin, who gave birth to the Lord;

O blessed Mother of the Church,

who nurture in us the Spirit

of your Son Jesus Christ!

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1st May >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Joseph the Worker 

or

Monday, Fourth Week of Eastertide.

Saint Joseph the Worker 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A(1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Monday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

Either:

First Reading Genesis 1:26-2:3 Fill the earth and subdue it.

God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.”

God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God also said: “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food.” And so it happened. God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. Evening came, and morning followed–the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, God rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Or:

First Reading Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men.

Brothers and sisters: Over all these things put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 90:2, 3-4, 12-13, 14 and 16

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Before the mountains were begotten and the earth and the world were brought forth, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. Let your work be seen by your servants and your glory by their children.

R/ Lord, give success to the work of our hands. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 68:20

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, who bears our burdens. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 13:54-58 Is he not the carpenter’s son?

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Monday, Fourth Week of Eastertide 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A(1))

First Reading Acts of the Apostles 11:1-18 God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.

The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers confronted him, saying, ‘You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them.” Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying, “I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when in a trance I had a vision, something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me. Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’ But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir, because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ But a second time a voice from heaven answered, ‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.’ This happened three times, and then everything was drawn up again into the sky. Just then three men appeared at the house where we were, who had been sent to me from Caesarea. The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, who will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning, and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R/ Athirst is my soul for the living God. or R/ Alleluia.

As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God. Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?

R/ Athirst is my soul for the living God. or R/ Alleluia.

Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on And bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place.

R/ Athirst is my soul for the living God. or R/ Alleluia.

Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; Then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God!

R/ Athirst is my soul for the living God. or R/ Alleluia.

Gospel Acclamation John 10:14

Alleluia, alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel John 10:11-18 A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.