Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

The Popish Plot
Marian Monday: "The Month of May"

'Tis the festival of Saint John of Beverley, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 721), founder of a monastery around which arose the town of Beverley: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Town & Wikipedia-link Minster.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Alberto of Bergamo, Confessor, T.O.S.D. (1214-1279): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Rose Verenini, Religious, M.P.V. (1656-1728), foundress of the Verenini Sisters, formally the Religious Teachers Verenini: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link M.P.V.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter sixteen, verses eleven thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-nine, verses one(b) & two; three & four; five, six(a), & nine(b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verse twenty-six thru chapter sixteen, verse four(a).

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today’s Gospel focuses on the Holy Spirit’s role as witness to Jesus: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.”

All Christian preaching is ultimately about the Paschal Mystery—the dying and rising of Jesus—and the sending of the Holy Spirit. But this last element is especially important for today, because it signals the way that we are able to participate in the life that Jesus opens up to us.

One of the chief marks of the Holy Spirit is the prompting to bold speech. From the Apostles through the great evangelists and theologians, up to Billy Graham and John Paul II, the Spirit prompts people to confess the Lordship of Jesus. Remember that Paul told us, “No one can call Jesus Lord except in the Holy Spirit.”

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third Person of the Holy Trinity, but more precisely, the love shared by the Father and the Son. As the love between Father and Son, the Spirit comes most fully to historical expression during the great events of the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery.

Video reflection by Msgr. Jams Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Be careful to defend always & everywhere the just rights & true freedom of persons—without discrimination. Such discrimination occurs when we become sensitive only to those victims whose ideas or convictions we share."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"I am a little brush that Jesus has chosen in order to paint His own image in the souls entrusted to my care."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"God does not make Himself heard in any voice that reaches your ears, but in a voice that your heart can well perceive. He will speak to you by such interior lights, such sweet touches in your heart, suck tokens of forgiveness… in a word, such voices of love, as are well understood by those souls whom he loves & who seek for nothing but Himself alone."
—St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787, feast day: 1 August)