Daily Reflections

The No1 Blog in Nigeria That Post Daily Mass Readings, Reflections, Inspirational Quote, Rosary and Other Prayers

May 2020
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29 May

             
 Daily Prayer

O My God, I place my trust and confidence in You, who will reward the good and punish the wicked. I believe in You and accept everything You have taught and revealed. 

I believe that in one God there are three Divine Persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

I believe that God the Son became Man without ceasing to be God. He is Jesus Christ, my lord and my Saviour, the Redeemer of the human race. He died on the Cross for my salvation and eternal happiness. 

O my God, give me a strong faith. Help me to believe with lively faith. 

O my God, all-good and all-merciful, I sincerely hope to be saved. Help me to do all that is necessary to gain eternal salvation. 

I have committed many sins in my life, but now I turn away from them. I am sorry, truly sorry for all of them, because I have offended You, my God, Who are all-good, all-perfect, all-holy and all-merciful. 

I love you, O my God, with all my heart. Please forgive me for having offended You. 

I promise that, with Your help, I will never offend You again. 

My God, have mercy on me.

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29 May

        Prayer To The Holy Spirit

Breathe into me Holy Spirit, That all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. 
Amen.

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25 May


Pentecost - Solemnity
Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

FIRST READING
Acts 2:1—11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29—30, 31, 34 (see 30)

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! the earth is full of your creatures. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
1 Corinthians 12:3b—7, 12—13

Brothers and sisters:
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

SEQUENCE
Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come! 

And from your celestial home Shed a ray of light divine! Come, Father of the poor! Come, source of all our store! Come, within our bosoms shine. You, of comforters the best; You, the soul's most welcome guest; Sweet refreshment here below; In our labor, rest most sweet; Grateful coolness in the heat; Solace in the midst of woe. O most blessed Light divine, Shine within these hearts of yours, And our inmost being fill! Where you are not, we have naught, Nothing good in deed or thought, Nothing free from taint of ill. Heal our wounds, our strength renew; On our dryness pour your dew; Wash the stains of guilt away: Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the frozen, warm the chill; Guide the steps that go astray. On the faithful, who adore And confess you, evermore In your sevenfold gift descend; Give them virtue's sure reward; Give them your salvation, Lord; Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 20:19—23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."
The gospel of the Lord.
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25 May


7th Week of Easter 
Pentecost Vigil; St. Joan of Arc
Saturday Mass
FIRST READING
Genesis 11:1—9

The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. While the people were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, "Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire." They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth." 

The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the LORD said: "If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. Let us then go down there and confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says." Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth. 

or: 

Exodus 19:3—8a, 16—20b 

Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, "Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites." So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people. When he set before them all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them, the people all answered together, "Everything the LORD has said, we will do." 

On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking, and God answering him with thunder. 

When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain. 

or: 

Ezekiel 37:1—14 

The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD and set me in the center of the plain, which was now filled with bones. He made me walk among the bones in every direction so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain. How dry they were! He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life? I answered, "Lord GOD, you alone know that." Then he said to me: Prophesy over these bones, and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD. I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told, and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise; it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone. I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them, and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them. Then the LORD said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD: From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life. I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army. Then he said to me: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They have been saying, "Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off." Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD. 

or: 

Joel 3:1—5 

Thus says the LORD:
I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke; the sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, at the coming of the day of the LORD, the great and terrible day. Then everyone shall be rescued who calls on the name of the LORD; for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant, as the LORD has said, and in Jerusalem survivors

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 104:1—2, 24, 35, 27—28, 29, 30 (see 30)

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

How manifold are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all— the earth is full of your creatures; bless the LORD, O my soul! Alleluia. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

Creatures all look to you to give them food in due time. When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia. 

If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. 

R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Romans 8:22—27

Brothers and sisters:
We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. 

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.

ALLELUIA
Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 7:37—39

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, "Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me." 

He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Saturday Mass

FIRST READING
Acts 28:16–20, 30–31

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 

Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, "My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains." 

He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7

R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his searching glance is on mankind. 

R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

The LORD searches the just and the wicked; the lover of violence he hates. For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds; the upright shall see his face. 

R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 16:7, 13

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 21:20–25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?" 

It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
  The gospel of the Lord.
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25 May


7th Week of Easter 
 Friday; Blessed Eugene de Mazenod

FIRST READING
Acts 25:13b–21

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul's case to the king, saying, "There is a man here left in custody by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge. So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 103:1–2, 11–12, 19–20ab

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. 

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. 

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, all you his angels, you mighty in strength, who do his bidding. 

R. The Lord has established his throne in heaven.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 14:26

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I told you. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 21:15–19

After Jesus had revealed himself to his disciples and eaten breakfast with them, he said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, "Follow me."
       The gospel of the Lord.
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25 May


7th Week of Easter 
 St. Mariana of Quito
FIRST READING
Acts 22:30; 23:6–11

Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander freed him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. 

Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees; I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three. A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonging to the Pharisee party stood up and sharply argued, "We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him into the compound. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage. For just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 16:1–2a and 5, 7–8, 9–10, 11

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you." O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. 

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; Because you will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. 

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. 

R. Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 17:21

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

May they all be one as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that the world may believe that you sent me, says the Lord. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 17:20–26

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me, that they may see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world also does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you sent me. I made known to them your name and I will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them."

 The gospel of the Lord.
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25 May



7th Week of Easter 
Wednesday
St. Augustine of Canterbury

FIRST READING
Acts 20:28–38

At Miletus, Paul spoke to the presbyters of the Church of Ephesus:
"Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. And now I commend you to God and to that gracious word of his that can build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are consecrated. I have never wanted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You know well that these very hands have served my needs and my companions. In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 

When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 68:29–30, 33–35a, 35bc–36ab

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Show forth, O God, your power, the power, O God, with which you took our part; For your temple in Jerusalem let the kings bring you gifts. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, chant praise to the Lord who rides on the heights of the ancient heavens. Behold, his voice resounds, the voice of power: Confess the power of God!" 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Over Israel is his majesty; his power is in the skies. Awesome in his sanctuary is God, the God of Israel; he gives power and strength to his people. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John See John 17:17b, 17a

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 17:11b–19

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying:
"Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the Evil One. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth."
The gospel of the Lord.
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25 May


7th Week of Easter 
 Tuesday; St. Philip Neri
FIRST READING
Acts 20:17–27

From Miletus Paul had the presbyters of the Church at Ephesus summoned. When they came to him, he addressed them, "You know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. I served the Lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes. I earnestly bore witness for both Jews and Greeks to repentance before God and to faith in our Lord Jesus. But now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. Yet I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace. 

"But now I know that none of you to whom I preached the kingdom during my travels will ever see my face again. And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 68:10–11, 20–21

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your inheritance; you restored the land when it languished; Your flock settled in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for the needy. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

Blessed day by day be the Lord, who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation. God is a saving God for us; the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 14:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 17:1–11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. 

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you."
The gospel of the Lord.

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24 May

May 25, 2020
7th Week of Easter 
 Monday; St. Bede the Venerable

FIRST READING
Acts 19:1–8

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They answered him, "We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." He said, "How were you baptized?" They replied, "With the baptism of John." Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. 
He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 68:2–3ab, 4–5acd, 6–7ab

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

God arises; his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

But the just rejoice and exult before God; they are glad and rejoice. Sing to God, chant praise to his name; whose name is the LORD. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

The father of orphans and the defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling. God gives a home to the forsaken; he leads forth prisoners to prosperity. 

R. Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
Colossians 3:1

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:29–33

The disciples said to Jesus,
"Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God." Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world."
The Gospel of the Lord.

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21 May

May 24, 2020

7th Sunday of Easter or Ascension of the Lord 
Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis

Ascension of the Lord

Sunday Mass

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1—11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2—3, 6—7, 8—9 (6)

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:17—23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every wat. 

or: 

Longer Form Ephesians 4:1—13 

Brothers and sisters,
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

or: 

Shorter Form Ephesians 4:1—7, 11—13 

Brothers and sisters,
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

ALLELUIA
Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Matthew 28:16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Seventh Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING
Acts 1:12—14

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 

When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 27:1, 4, 7—8 (13)

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life's refuge; of whom should I be afraid? 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, that I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple. 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia. 

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. 

R. I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
1 Peter 4:13—16

Beloved:
Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.

ALLELUIA
see John 14:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord. I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 17:1—11a

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do. Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. 

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you."
The gospel of the Lord.

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21 May

May 23, 2020, Saturday

6th Week of Easter 
 St. John Baptist Rossi

FIRST READING
Acts 18:23–28

After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples. 

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2–3, 8–9, 10

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands; shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For God's are the guardians of the earth; he is supreme. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
John 16:28

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I came from the Father and have come into the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:23b–28

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. 

"I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
The gospel of the Lord.
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21 May

May 22, 2020
6th Week of Easter 
Friday; St. Rita of Cascia

FIRST READING
Acts 18:9–18

One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision, "Do not be afraid. Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you. No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city." He settled there for a year and a half and taught the word of God among them. 

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, "This man is inducing people to worship God contrary to the law." When Paul was about to reply, Gallio spoke to the Jews, "If it were a matter of some crime or malicious fraud, I should with reason hear the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a question of arguments over doctrine and titles and your own law, see to it yourselves. I do not wish to be a judge of such matters." And he drove them away from the tribunal. They all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue official, and beat him in full view of the tribunal. But none of this was of concern to Gallio. 

Paul remained for quite some time, and after saying farewell to the brothers he sailed for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had shaved his head because he had taken a vow.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2–3, 4–5, 6–7

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

He brings people under us; nations under our feet. He chooses for us our inheritance, the glory of Jacob, whom he loves. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God is king of all the earth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
See Luke 24:46, 26

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, and so enter into his glory. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:20–23

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."
The gospel of the Lord.

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21 May

May 21, 2020

Ascension of the Lord 6th Week of Easter - 

St. Christopher Magallanes

Thursday Mass

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1—11

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for "the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

When they had gathered together they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 47:2—3, 6—7, 8—9 (6)

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia. 

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. 

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. or R. Alleluia.

SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:17—23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jeus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every wat. 

or: 

Longer Form Ephesians 4:1—13 

Brothers and sisters,
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. 

or: 

Shorter Form Ephesians 4:1—7, 11—13 

Brothers and sisters,
I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

ALLELUIA
Luke 3:4, 6

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Mathew 28:16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Thursday Mass

FIRST READING
Acts 18:1–8

Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. He went to visit them and, because he practiced the same trade, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. Every sabbath, he entered into discussions in the synagogue, attempting to convince both Jews and Greeks. 
When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began to occupy himself totally with preaching the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. When they opposed him and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your heads! I am clear of responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." So he left there and went to a house belonging to a man named Titus Justus, a worshiper of God; his house was next to a synagogue. Crispus, the synagogue official, came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 98:1, 2–3ab, 3cd–4

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
or:
R. Alleluia.

ALLELUIA
See John 14:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia. 

I will not leave you orphans, says the Lord; I will come back to you, and your hearts will rejoice. 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:16–20

Jesus said to his disciples: 
"A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me." So some of his disciples said to one another, "What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" So they said, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks? We do not know what he means." Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, "Are you discussing with one another what I said, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy."
The gospel of the Lord

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20 May

     Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I firmly believe that You are here present; I adore You with the most profound humility; I praise You and give You thanks with all my heart for the favors You have bestowed on me. Your Goodness has brought me safely to the beginning of this day. 

Behold, O Lord, I offer You my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. 

Give them, O Lord, Your blessing; may Your divine Love animate them and may they tend to the greater honor and glory of Your Sovereign Majesty. 

Amen.
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20 May


O Jesus, through the immaculate heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your sacred heart: the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of all Christians. I offer them for the intentions of our bishops and of all the apostles of prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

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