Tuesday 13th MAY

Saint John the Silent

Psalter: Week IV

White

Also known as St John the Hesychast he was a Christian saint known for living alone for seventy-six years. He was given the surname because he loved recollection and silence.

Entrance Antiphon : Rv 19: 7, 6

Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to God, for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns, alleluia.

Collect

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s Resurrection, we may merit to receive the joy of our redemption. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading : Acts 11:19-26

Those who had escaped during the persecution that happened because of Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus to them as well. The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord. The Church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord. Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that Church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 86:1-7

R/  O praise the Lord, all you nations!

On the holy mountain is his city cherished by the Lord.  The Lord prefers the gates of Zion

To all Jacob’s dwellings. Of you are told glorious things, O city of God!

‘Babylon and Egypt I will count among those who know me; Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia, these will be her children  and Zion  shall be called “Mother” for all shall be her children.’

It is he, the Lord Most High, who gives each his place. In his register of peoples, he writes: ‘These are her children,’ and while they dance, they will sing: ‘In you all find their home.’

Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:27

Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,  says the Lord,  I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!

Gospel : John 10:22-30

It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied: ‘I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.’

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Cf. Lk 24: 46, 26

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

Prayer after Communion

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this most holy exchange, by which you have redeemed us, may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation Our faith in Jesus Christ plays a pivotal role in determining the nature of our discipleship. Jesus makes this point clear when He tells the people, “You do not believe because you are not my sheep.” To be a true disciple of Christ, to be part of His sheepfold, you must first of all believe in Him. How can we claim to belong to Him if we do not believe in His Word? The Word of God becomes the masterpiece in the life of every Christian. It begs the question: What is my relationship with this Word? Do I show that I am a true follower of Christ, a true sheep of His flock, by living in accordance with the Gospel?

Mardi 13  mai

Notre dame de fatima

sainte rolande

saint hubert

Psautier: IV

Blanc

Fille de Didier, le roi des Lombards, Rolande avait toutes les qualités, y compris une grande beauté. Donnée en mariage par son père au roi d’Ecosse, elle faussa compagnie aux seigneurs écossais qui la conduisaient vers son prétendant. Elle voulut se réfugier à Cologne au monastère de Sainte-Ursule, mais elle tomba malade à Villiers-Poterie où elle mourut en 774.

Antienne d’ouverture : Ap 19, 7.6

Soyons dans la joie, exultons, rendons grâce : le Seigneur notre Dieu a pris possession de sa royauté, alléluia.

Prière d’ouverture

Accorde-nous, Seigneur, d’entrer dans la joie de notre salut alors que nous fêtons la résurrection de ton Fils. Lui qui.

1ère lecture : Ac 11, 19-26

En ces jours-là, les frères dispersés par la tourmente qui se produisit lors de l’affaire d’Étienne allèrent jusqu’en Phénicie, puis à Chypre et Antioche, sans annoncer la Parole à personne d’autre qu’aux Juifs. Parmi eux, il y en avait qui étaient originaires de Chypre et de Cyrène, et qui, en arrivant à Antioche, s’adressaient aussi aux gens de langue grecque pour leur annoncer la Bonne Nouvelle : Jésus est le Seigneur. La main du Seigneur était avec eux : un grand nombre de gens devinrent croyants et se tournèrent vers le Seigneur. La nouvelle parvint aux oreilles de l’Église de Jérusalem, et l’on envoya Barnabé jusqu’à Antioche. À son arrivée, voyant la grâce de Dieu à l’œuvre, il fut dans la joie. Il les exhortait tous à rester d’un cœur ferme attachés au Seigneur. C’était en effet un homme de bien, rempli d’Esprit Saint et de foi. Une foule considérable s’attacha au Seigneur. Barnabé partit alors à Tarse chercher Saul. L’ayant trouvé, il l’amena à Antioche. Pendant toute une année, ils participèrent aux assemblées de l’Église, ils instruisirent une foule considérable. Et c’est à Antioche que, pour la première fois, les disciples reçurent le nom de « chrétiens ».

Psaume : 86 (87), 1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R/ Louez le Seigneur, tous les peuples !

Elle est fondée sur les montagnes saintes. Le Seigneur aime les portes de Sion plus que toutes les demeures de Jacob. Pour ta gloire on parle de toi, ville de Dieu !

« Je cite l’Égypte et Babylone entre celles qui me connaissent.» Voyez Tyr, la Philistie, l’Éthiopie : chacune est née là- bas. Mais on appelle Sion: « Ma mère! » car en elle, tout homme est né. C’est lui, le Très-Haut, qui la maintient.

Au registre des peuples, le Seigneur écrit : « Chacun est né là- bas. » Tous ensemble ils dansent, et ils chantent : « En toi, toutes nos sources ! » *

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix, dit le Seigneur; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 27)

Évangile :  Jn 10, 22-30

On célébrait la fête de la dédicace du Temple à Jérusalem. C’était l’hiver. Jésus allait et venait dans le Temple, sous la colonnade de Salomon. Les Juifs firent cercle autour de lui ; ils lui disaient : « Combien de temps vas- tu nous tenir en haleine ? Si c’est toi le Christ, dis-le-nous ouvertement ! »  Jésus leur répondit : « Je vous l’ai dit, et vous ne croyez pas. Les œuvres que je fais, moi, au nom de mon Père, voilà ce qui me rend témoignage. Mais vous, vous ne croyez pas, parce que vous n’êtes pas de mes brebis. Mes brebis écoutent ma voix ; moi, je les connais, et elles me suivent. Je leur donne la vie éternelle : jamais elles ne périront, et personne ne les arrachera de ma main. Mon Père, qui me les a données, est plus grand que tout, et personne ne peut les arracher de la main du Père. Le Père et moi, nous sommes UN. »

Prière sur les offrandes

Donne-nous, Seigneur, de te rendre grâce toujours par ces mystères de Pâques ; ils continuent en nous ton œuvre de rédemption, qu’ils nous soient une source intarissable de joie. Par Jésus.

Antienne  de  communion : Lc, 24, 46, 26

Il fallait que le Christ connaisse la souffrance et ressuscite d’entre les morts pour entrer dans sa gloire.

Prière après la communion

Écoute nos prières, Seigneur :  que cet échange mystérieux où l’homme est racheté nous soutienne durant la vie présente et nous apporte les joies éternelles. Par Jésus.

Méditation

«Les œuvres que je fais, moi, au nom de mon Père, voilà ce qui me rend témoignage». A la suite de Jésus, le témoignage chrétien doit être soutenu par des œuvres de bonté. Les juifs restent perplexes sur l’identité réelle de Jésus comme certaines personnes autour de nous s’étonnent lorsqu’on dit être chrétien alors que nos actes le contredisent parfois. Plutôt que nos paroles ce sont nos actions qui doivent montrer que nous appartenons au Christ.

Monday 12th MAY

Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs

Psalter: Week IV

Red

Nereus and Achilleus are two soldiers that suffered martyrdom under the persecution of Diocletian. Two basilicas in Rome are dedicated to their memory. They are remembered for their strength in faith even under persection.

Entrance Antiphon : Rm 6: 9

Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia.

Collect

O God, perfect light of the blessed, by whose gift we celebrate the paschal mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to rejoice in the full measure of your grace for ages unending. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading : Acts 11:1-18

The apostles and the brothers in Judaea heard that the pagans too had accepted the word of God, and when Peter came up to Jerusalem the Jews criticised him and said, ‘So you have been visiting the uncircumcised and eating with them, have you?’ Peter in reply gave them the details point by point: ‘One day, when I was in the town of Jaffa,’ he began ‘I fell into a trance as I was praying and had a vision of something like a big sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. This sheet reached the ground quite close to me. I watched it intently and saw all sorts of animals and wild beasts – everything possible that could walk, crawl or fly. Then I heard a voice that said to me, “Now, Peter; kill and eat!” But I answered: Certainly not, Lord; nothing profane or unclean has ever crossed my lips. And a second time the voice spoke from heaven, “What God has made clean, you have no right to call profane.” This was repeated three times, before the whole of it was drawn up to heaven again. ‘Just at that moment, three men stopped outside the house where we were staying; they had been sent from Caesarea to fetch me, and the Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going back with them. The six brothers here came with me as well, and we entered the man’s house. He told us he had seen an angel standing in his house who said, “Send to Jaffa and fetch Simon known as Peter; he has a message for you that will save you and your entire household.” ‘I had scarcely begun to speak when the Holy Spirit came down on them in the same way as it came on us at the beginning, and I remembered that the Lord had said, “John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” I realised then that God was giving them the identical thing he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and who was I to stand in God’s way?’ This account satisfied them, and they gave glory to God. ‘God’ they said ‘can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.’

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 41:2-3,42:3-4

R/  My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life.

Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?

O send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.

Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:14

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

Gospel : John 10:1-10

Jesus said: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers.’ Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them. So Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’

Prayer over the Offerings

Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings of your exultant Church, and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness, grant also that the gifts we bring may bear fruit in perpetual happiness. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon : Jn 20: 19

Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion

Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord.

Meditation

Today, Christ reminds us that He is the Gate. This perfectly rhymes with John 14:6 where He openly declares: “I am the way and the truth and the life”. It logically follows that life exists only in Christ Jesus. In other words, Jesus is the only way that leads to eternal life. As Christians, we are also called to be gateways that guide others toward eternal life. Unfortunately, our actions may at times lead people away from Christ and the Church. We must ask ourselves the question: Who resides in me? Is it the one who points out the gate to everlasting life, or the one who comes to kill, steal, and destroy? Let us seek the grace to be signposts, illuminating the path to heaven through our way of life.

LUNDI 12  mai

Saints  neree et achille,

martyrs

Psautier: IV

Rouge

Deux basiliques de Rome sont dédiées à ces soldats qui furent martyrisés durant la persécution de Dioclétien (vers 304). D’après l’inscription que le pape Damase (mort en 384) fit graver à leur mémoire, ils étaient encore païens et entrain d’exécuter les ordres sanguinaires de l’empereur quand ils se convertirent tout à coup et ‘’se réjouirent de proclamer les triomphe du Christ’’, sans crainte de la mort.

Antienne d’ouverture : Rm 6, 9

Le Christ, ressuscité des morts, ne meurt plus ; sur lui la mort n’a plus aucun pouvoir, alléluia.

Prière d’ouverture

Dieu qui as relevé le monde par les abaissements de ton Fils, donne à tes fidèles une joie sainte : tu les as tirés de l’esclavage du péché ; fais-leur connaître le bonheur impérissable. Par Jésus.

1ère lecture : Act 11, 1-18

En ces jours-là, les Apôtres et les frères qui étaient en Judée avaient appris que les nations, elles aussi, avaient reçu la parole de Dieu. Lorsque Pierre fut de retour à Jérusalem, ceux qui étaient juifs d’origine le prirent à partie, en disant: « Tu es entré chez des hommes qui ne sont pas circoncis, et tu as mangé avec eux ! » Alors Pierre reprit l’affaire depuis le commencement et leur exposa tout dans l’ordre, en disant : « J’étais dans la ville de Jaffa, en train de prier, et voici la vision que j’ai eue dans une extase: c’était un objet qui descendait. On aurait dit une grande toile tenue aux quatre coins ; venant du ciel, elle se posa près de moi. Fixant les yeux sur elle, je l’examinais je vis les quadrupèdes de la terre, les bêtes sauvages, les reptiles et les oiseaux du ciel. J’entendis une voix qui me disait : “Debout, Pierre, offre-les en sacrifice, et mange !”Je répondis : “Certainement pas, Seigneur ! Jamais aucun aliment interdit ou impur n’est entré dans ma bouche. Une deuxième fois, du haut du ciel la voix répondit : “Ce que Dieu a déclaré pur, toi, ne le déclare pas interdit. ” Cela se produisit par trois fois, puis tout fut remonté au ciel. Et voici qu’à l’instant même, devant la maison où j’étais, survinrent trois hommes qui m’étaient envoyés de Césarée. L’Esprit me dit d’aller avec eux sans hésiter. Les six frères qui sont ici m’ont accompagné, et nous sommes entrés chez le centurion Corneille. Il nous raconta comment il avait vu l’ange se tenir dans sa maison et dire : “Envoie quelqu’un à Jaffa pour chercher Simon surnommé Pierre. Celui-ci t’adressera des paroles par lesquelles tu seras sauvé, toi et toute ta maison. Au moment où je prenais la parole, l’Esprit Saint descendit sur ceux qui étaient là, comme il était descendu sur nous au commencement. Alors je me suis rappelé la parole que le Seigneur avait dite : “Jean a baptisé avec l’eau, mais vous, c’est dans l’Esprit Saint que vous serez baptisés. ”Et si Dieu leur a fait le même don qu’à nous, parce qu’ils ont cru au Seigneur Jésus Christ, qui étais-je, moi, pour empêcher l’action de Dieu ? » En entendant ces paroles, ils se calmèrent et ils rendirent gloire à Dieu, en disant : « Ainsi donc, même aux nations, Dieu a donné la conversion qui fait entrer dans la vie ! »

Psaume 41 (42), 2, 3 ; 42 (43), 3, 4

R/ Mon âme a soif de Dieu, le Dieu vivant. Ou : Alléluia ! 41,3ab

Comme un cerf altéré   cherche l’eau vive, ainsi mon âme te cherche   toi, mon Dieu.

Mon âme a soif de Dieu, le Dieu vivant ; quand pourrai-je m’avancer, paraître face à Dieu ?

Envoie ta lumière et ta vérité: qu’elles guident mes pas et me conduisent à ta montagne sainte, jusqu’en ta demeure.

J’avancerai jusqu’à l’autel de Dieu, vers Dieu qui est toute ma joie ; je te rendrai grâce avec ma harpe, Dieu, mon Dieu !

Acclamation

Alléluia. Alléluia. Je suis le bon pasteur, dit le Seigneur ; je connais mes brebis et mes brebis me connaissent. Alléluia. (Jn 10, 14)

Évangile :  Jean 10, 1-10

En ce temps-là, Jésus disait : « Moi, je suis le bon pasteur, le vrai berger, qui donne sa vie pour ses brebis. Le berger mercenaire n’est pas le pasteur, les brebis ne sont pas à lui : s’il voit venir le loup, il abandonne les brebis et s’enfuit ; le loup s’en empare et les disperse. Ce berger n’est qu’un mercenaire, et les brebis ne comptent pas vraiment pour lui. Moi, je suis le bon pasteur ; je connais mes brebis, et mes brebis me connaissent, comme le Père me connaît, et que je connais le Père ; et je donne ma vie pour mes brebis. J’ai encore d’autres brebis, qui ne sont pas de cet enclos : celles-là aussi, il faut que je les conduise. Elles écouteront ma voix : il y aura un seul troupeau et un seul pasteur. Voici pourquoi le Père m’aime : parce que je donne ma vie, pour la recevoir de nouveau. Nul ne peut me l’enlever : je la donne de moi-même. J’ai le pouvoir de la donner, j’ai aussi le pouvoir de la recevoir de nouveau : voilà le commandement que j’ai reçu de mon Père. »

Prière sur les offrandes

Accueille, Seigneur, les dons de ton Église en fête : tu es à l’origine d’un si grand bonheur ; qu’il s’épanouisse en joie éternelle. Par Jésus.

Antienne de communion : Jn 20, 19

Jésus, débout au milieu des disciples, leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous », alléluia.

Prière après la communion

Regarde avec bonté, Seigneur, le peuple que tu as rénové par tes sacrements ; accorde-nous de parvenir à la résurrection bienheureuse, toi qui nous as destinés à connaître ta gloire. Par Jésus.

Méditation

L’expérience de l’apôtre Pierre chez le centurion Corneille nous rappelle que l’œuvre du Salut entreprise par Dieu concerne tous les hommes. La Bonne Nouvelle du salut peut donc être annoncée chez tous les peuples. les paroles de Jésus affirment bien cette exigence d’ouverture: « J’ai encore d’autres brebis, qui ne sont pas de cet enclos : celles-là aussi, il faut que je les conduise».

SUNDAY 11th MAY

4th Sunday of Easter

Saint John Houghton and Companions

Psalter: Week IV

White

Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 32: 5-6

The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd htas gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading : Acts 13:14,43-52

Paul and Barnabas carried on from Perga till they reached Antioch in Pisidia. Here they went to synagogue on the Sabbath and took their seats. When the meeting broke up many Jews and devout converts joined Paul and Barnabas, and in their talks with them Paul and Barnabas urged them to remain faithful to the grace God had given them. The next sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of God. When they saw the crowds, the Jews, prompted by jealousy, used blasphemies and contradicted everything Paul said. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly. ‘We had to proclaim the word of God to you first, but since you have rejected it, since you do not think yourselves worthy of eternal life, we must turn to the pagans. For this is what the Lord commanded us to do when he said: I have made you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth.’ It made the pagans very happy to hear this and they thanked the Lord for his message; all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread through the whole countryside. But the Jews worked upon some of the devout women of the upper classes and the leading men of the city and persuaded them to turn against Paul and Barnabas and expel them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in defiance and went off to Iconium; but the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 99(100):1-3,5

R/  We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing for joy.

Know that he, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to him, we are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Indeed, how good is the Lord, eternal his merciful love. He is faithful from age to age.

Second reading : Apocalypse 7:9, 14-17

I, John, saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language; they were standing in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palms in their hands. One of the elders said, ‘These are the people who have been through the great persecution, and because they have washed their robes white again in the blood of the Lamb, they now stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his sanctuary; and the One who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes.’

Gospel Acclamation : Jn10:14

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

Gospel : John 10:27-30

Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.’

Prayer over the Offerings

Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon

The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion

Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and be pleased to settle in eternal pastures, the sheep you have redeemed by the Precious Blood of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Meditation

If you have ever visited a cattle market, you would have observed that animals, regardless of their number, never become mixed up. Each herdsman employs a unique sound or signal to command his cattle. Upon hearing that distinct sound, the animals dutifully follow the shepherd. On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus urges us to emulate the example of obedient sheep who not only recognise their shepherd’s voice but also heed it by following him. Today is also a day dedicated to praying for vocations. Given the multiple challenges facing the Church, competent leaders are required at its helm — good pastors to guide God’s people, following the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd. Let us earnestly pray for our pastors: the Pope, bishops, priests, and deacons to be shepherds who carry the “smell of the sheep” on them, not mercenaries who disperse and devour the flock.