FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Thursday 21st May : Ss Christopher Magallánes and Companions
These twenty-five priests and laymen were executed in Mexico in 1927.
Friday 22nd May : St. Rita of Cascia
Her husband, an ill-tempered and abusive man, was murdered. Later Rita entered the Augustinian convent in Cascia, in the diocese of Spoleto, Italy, and spent forty years in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region.
Sunday 24th May : Pentecost Sunday
The Fifty Days of Easter conclude with the celebration of Pentecost Sunday
"On the first day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and upon Mary and filled them with his power. Today we remember that moment and we open ourselves again to the gift of that same Holy Spirit.
In that Spirit:
we are baptised
we are confirmed
we are called to share in the mission of Christ
we shall indeed become the People of Pentecost, the apostles of our time.
Come, O Hoy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Amen."
Pope St. John Paul II, Pentecost, Coventry, 30 May 1982
Monday 25th May : Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
From the cross Jesus entrusted Mary to his disciples as their mother and entrusted his disciples to Mary as her children. Mary, present with the disciples at Pentecost, prayed with them as the Holy Spirit descended. Mary has never ceased to take motherly care of the pilgrim church on earth.
(Liturgical Calendar for Ireland 2024)
Tuesday 26th May : St. Philip Neri, priest
Born in Florence but spent most of his life in Rome, where he founded the Congregation of the Oratory to foster good preaching and to promote holiness of priestly life.
Wednesday 27th May : St. Augustine of Canterbury
He was a monk in Rome when sent by Pope Gregory the Great to preach to the English. He set up his see at Canterbury and had much success in converting the south of England.
Friday 29th May : St. Paul VI
Born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini at Concesio (Lombardy, Italy) in 1897. He was a frail but intelligent child who received his early education from the Jesuits near his home in Brescia. Even after entering the seminary in 1916 he was allowed to live at home because of his health. He was ordained 29th May 1920. During WWII he was responsible for organising the extensive relief work and care of political refugees. On the death of Pope John XXIII, Montini, then Archbishop of Milan, was elected to succeed him.
He continued the Second Vatican Council as begun by his predecessor. He was the first Pope to attempt to reform the Vatican's powerful and unruly Curia, he was the first Pope to hold weekly general audiences with the common man in St. Peter's Square and seek opinions of non-believers. Referred to as the "Pilgrim Pope" he was the first Pope to visit five continents. He was the first Pope to reject the papal trappings of luxury, setting aside the traditional jewel-encrusted tiara and donating its value to the poor. He had an unaccountably poor press and his public image suffered by comparison with his outgoing and jovial predecessor. Those who knew him best however, described him as a brilliant man, deeply spiritual, humble, reserved and gentle, a man of "infinite courtesy".
He died on 6th August 1978 having asked that his funeral be simple and no monument over his grave.
Beatified 2014, Canonised 14/10/2018.
His memorial is on the anniversary of his priestly ordination.
Sunday 31st May : The Most Holy Trinity
The relationships in the Trinity are relationships of love. The reflection on this mystery today is not in terms of philosophy but of Christian living. The unity and harmony of the life in the Trinity is to be the aim of each community where love is, there God is. God's relation of this inner life is for our salvation - a gift given in love. Our response can only be one of glory and praise.
Monday 1st June : St. Justin
Born in the Holy Land and settled in Rome. He became a Christian and is remembered for his defence of Christian belief and practice. He was martyred c. the year 165.
Tuesday 2nd June : Ss Marcellinus and Peter
Roman clergy, martyred under Diocletian in the year 303.
Wednesday 3rd June : St. Kevin
He was a native if Leinster and grew up in Kilnamanagh, where he received his early religious formation. Wishing to be a hermit, he crossed the mountains to Glendalough and settled in Disert Caoimhghin at the foot of the upper lake but disciples began to gather round him. Gradually the great monastic settlement grew and spread through the glen after his death in the year 618.
Thursday 4th June Ss Charles Lwanga and Companions
Twenty-two Ugandan youths martyred in 1886.
Friday 5th June : St. Boniface
Born at Crediton in Devonshire and educated in monastery schools in England. He went as a missionary to Germany. He founded monasteries in Bavaria, including Fulda in 735.
Saturday 6th June : St. Jarlath
Said to have been a disciple of St. Enda, and was also taught by St. Benignus. He became abbot bishop of the monastery he founded at Tuam in the sixth century.