2015 Liturgical Year, Hours, and Holy Days of Obligation and Moveable Feasts ~ Roman Catholic

With the First Sunday of Advent, 30 November, 2014 begins the 2015 liturgical year.

Cycles used in Lectionary for Mass

Sunday Cycle
Year B is applied on Sundays between 30 November, 2014 to 22 November, 2015.

Weekday Cycle

Cycle 1 is applied on Ordinary Weekdays between 12 January, 2015 to 17 February, 2015 and from 25 May, 2015 to 28 November, 2015.

* Readings from the Proper of Time and Proper of Saints will be used for all Solemnities and all Feasts since they must take the place of the weekday readings for those respective days. The readings from the weekday cycle generally are to be used even on days on which a Memorial or Optional Memorial of a Saint occurs with the exceptions to this rule are the Memorials or Optional Memorials which have “proper readings” (usually only the Gospel) assigned to them in the Lectionary for Mass. Substitutions from the Commons or Proper of Saints may be made for the other readings suggested for those Memorials or Optional Memorials.

Liturgy of the Hours

30 November, 2014 to 11 January, 2015
Advent, Christmas (Volume I)
12 January, 2015 to 17 February, 2015
Weeks 1 to 6,
Ordinary Time (Volume III)
18 February, 2015 to 24 May, 2015
Lent, Triduum, Easter (Volume II)
25 May, 2015 to 1 August, 2015
Weeks 8 to 17,
Ordinary Time (Volume III)
2 August, 2015 to 28 November, 2015
Weeks 18 to 34, Ordinary Time (Volume IV)

* Outside Advent, Christmas Time, Lent, and Easter Time, on Saturdays which have no commemoration having the rank of Obligatory Memorial or higher, a Mass in honour of the

Blessed Virgin Mary may be celebrated. 

Roman Catholic 

Holy Days of Obligation and Moveable Feasts 2015

Thursday, 1 January, 2015
Mary, Mother of God; Holy Day of Obligation

Saturday, 3 January, 2015

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

Tuesday, 6 January, 2015

Epiphany

Sunday, 11 January, 2015

Baptism of the Lord

Saturday, 24 January, 2015

Our Lady, Queen of Peace

Sunday, 25 January, 2015

Conversion of Saint Paul

Monday, 2 February, 2015
Presentation of the Lord

Wednesday, 11 February, 2015
Our Lady of Lourdes

Wednesday, 18 February, 2015
Ash Wednesday

Sunday, 22 February, 2015
Chair of Saint Peter

Thursday, 19 March, 2015
Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Wednesday, 25 March, 2015
Annunciation of the Lord

Sunday, 29 March, 2015
Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday

Thursday, 2 April, 2015
Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday

Friday, 3 April, 2015
Good Friday

Saturday, 4 April, 2015
Holy Saturday

Sunday, 5 April, 2015
Easter Sunday

Sunday,12 April, 2015
Divine Mercy Sunday

Saturday,18 April, 2015
Our Lady of the Valley

Monday, 25 April, 2015
Saint Mark, the Evangelist

Sunday, 26 April, 2015
Our Lady of Good Counsel

Friday, 1 May, 2015
Saint Joseph the Worker

Monday, 4 May, 2015
Saints Philip and James, Apostles

Wednesday, 13 May, 2015
Our Lady of Fatima

Thursday, 14 May, 2015
Ascension; Holy Day of Obligation 

(* may be transferred to Sunday, 17 May, 2015)

Saint Matthias, the Apostle

Sunday, 24 May, 2015

Pentecost Sunday

Mary, Help of Christians

Monday, 25 May, 2015

Mary, Mother of the Church

Sunday, 31 May, 2015

Trinity Sunday / Holy Trinity

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Thursday, 4 June, 2015
Corpus Christi / Body and Blood of  Christ

(* may be transferred to Sunday, 7 June, 2015)

Friday, 12 June, 2015

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Saturday, 13 June, 2015

Immaculate Heart of Mary

Wednesday, 24 June, 2015

Birth of Saint John the Baptist

Monday, 29 June, 2015

Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

Thursday, 16 July, 2015

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Sunday, 26 July, 2015

Saint Joachim and Anne, parents of Mary

Thursday, 6 August, 2015

Transfiguration of the Lord 

Saturday, 15 August, 2015

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Holy Day of Obligation 

Saturday, 22 August, 2015

Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Saturday, 29 August, 2015

The beheading of Saint John the Baptist

Tuesday, 8 September, 2015

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saturday, 12 September, 2015

Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Monday, 14 September, 2015

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Tuesday, 15 September, 2015

Our Lady of Sorrows

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Saint Matthew, Apostle and the Evangelist

Thursday, 24 September, 2015

Our Lady of Mercy

Tuesday, 29 September, 2015

Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Friday, 2 October, 2015

Guardian Angels

Wednesday, 7 October, 2015

Our Lady of the Rosary

Monday, 12 October, 2015

Our Lady of the Pillar

Sunday, 18 October, 2015

Saint Luke, the Evangelist

Wednesday, 28 October, 2015

Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Sunday, 1 November, 2015

All Saints Day; Holy Day of Obligation

Saturday, 7 November, 2015

Mary, Mother and Mediatrix of Grace

Monday, 9 November, 2015

Dedication of the Lateran Basillica 

Saturday, 21 November, 2015

Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, 22 November, 2015

Christ the King

Sunday, 29 November, 2015

First Sunday of Advent

Monday, 30 November, 2015

Saint Andrew, the Apostle

Tuesday, 8 December, 2015

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Holy Day of Obligation

Saturday, 12 December, 2015

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Friday, 25 December, 2015
Nativity of our Lord (Christmas); Holy Day of Obligation

Sunday, 27 December, 2015

Holy Family
Saint John, Apostle and the Evangelist

Sunday, 28 December, 2015
Holy Innocents, martyrs

Pentateuch and Abbreviations of the Books of the Bible

The Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), enjoys particular prestige among the Jews as the "Law," or "Torah," the concrete expression of God's will in their regard. It is more than a body of legal doctrine, even though such material occupies many chapters, for it contains the story of the formation of the People of God: Abraham and the Patriarchs, Moses and the oppressed Hebrews in Egypt, the birth of Israel in the Sinai covenant, the journey to the threshold of the Promised Land, and the "discourses" of Moses.

Books Bible in the Old Testament in Canonical Order

Genesis, Gn
Exodus, Ex

Leviticus, Lv
Numbers, Nm
Deuteronomy, Dt

Joshua, Jos 
Judges, Jgs
Ruth, Ru

1 Samuel, 1 Sm
2 Samuel, 2 Sm
1 Kings, 1 Kgs
2 Kings, 2 Kgs
1 Chronicles, 1 Chr
2 Chronicles, 2 Chr
Ezra, Ezr 

Nehemiah, Neh
Tobit, Tb
Judith, Jdt
Esther, Est

1 Maccabees, 1 Mc
2 Maccabees, 2 Mc
Job, Jb
Psalm(s), Ps(s)

Proverbs, Prv
Ecclesiastes / Qoheleth, Eccl / Qoh 

Song of Songs, Sg

Wisdom, Wis
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus, Sir / Ecclus
Isaiah, Is 

Jeremiah, Jer
Lamentations, Lam

Baruch, Bar

Ezekiel, Ez
Daniel, Dn
Hosea, Hos
Joel, Jl 

Amos, Am
Obadiah, Ob

Jonah, Jon

Micah, Mi
Nahum, Na

Habakkuk, Hb
Zephaniah, Zep
Haggai, Hg

Zechariah, Zec
Malachi, Mal

Books Bible in the New Testament in Canonical Order

Matthew (Gospel), Mt
Mark (Gospel), Mk
Luke (Gospel), Lk
John (Gospel), Jn
Acts of the Apostles, Acts
Romans, Rom
1 Corinthians, 1 Cor
2 Corinthians, 2 Cor 

Galatians, Gal
Ephesians, Eph
Philippians, Phil
Colossians, Col
1 Thessalonians, 1 Thes
2 Thessalonians, 2 Thes
1 Timothy, 1 Tm
2 Timothy, 2 Tm
Titus, Ti
Philemon, Phlm
Hebrews, Heb
James, Ja / Jas
1 Peter, 1 Pt
2 Peter, 2 Pt
1 John, 1 Jn
2 John, 2 Jn
3 John, 3 Jn
Jude, Ju / Jude
Revelation / Apocalypse, Rv / Ap

Merciful Love of Christ

By Blessed John Paul II, Pope

Merciful Love, we pray to You, do not fail!

Merciful Love, be tireless!

Be constantly greater than every evil 

which is in man and in the world. 

Be greater than that evil 

which has increased in our century 

and in our generation!

Be more powerful with 

the power of the crucified King!

"Blessed be His Kingdom which is coming."

Strength of the Cross ~ Prayer

By Saint John Paul II, Pope

Holy is God.

Holy and strong.

Holy immortal One, have mercy on us.

Have mercy: eleison: misere.

May the power of Your love once more be shown to be greater than the evil that threatens it. May it be shown to be greater than sin…

May the power of Your cross, O Christ, be shown to be greater than the author of sin, who is called "the prince of this world."

For by your blood and Your passion You have redeemed the world!

Help me O' Lord! I Your servant cry for Your Help.

Dear Lord I am going through financial difficultly, and out of desperateness I cry to you O' Lord to help me in this urgent need and all those in similar situation as me. I know Lord I have sinned and am a sinner, have mercy on me Lord. I am only human at times, I am unable control my human senses. I know Lord you are full of love and mercy, your compassion and empathy is infinite. Therefore, Lord Jesus by the will of the Father in heaven, let it be done unto me, touch, heal and provide for me Lord and all other who also need the same. I truly have faith, trust and hope in You alone my Lord, that by Your miraculous wonder, will allow needs be fulfilled and the money I need will know my name, address and bank account as soon as You permit it. My trust and hope in You Lord will never fade or die. May the grace of the Almighty support, sustain and Supply all my needs according to His riches in glory. Amen.

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ 23 November, 2014

In this solemnity, we celebrate and contemplate the kingship of Jesus our Redeemer. Today, the Sunday 23 November, 2014 is the last Sunday of the Church’s liturgical year. Next Sunday, 30 November, 2014, we start the Advent Sunday with the first Sunday in Advent. 

Jesus Christ is not a king like any king we have ever seen on earth. He is the Good Shepherd that we hear about in the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel. Jesus is a King who loves our freedom. He rules by his love, by his tender mercy. He wants us to respond with our freedom to his gifts of grace and his invitation to share in his divine life.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, 

and all the angels with him, 

he will sit upon his glorious throne, 

and all the nations will be assembled before him. ”

Matthew 25:31

Pope Benedict XVI, has spoken of the power of Christ the King in this way: “It is not the power of the kings or the great people of this world; it is the divine power to give eternal life, to liberate from evil, to defeat the dominion of death. It is the power of Love that can draw good from evil, that can melt a hardened heart, bring peace amid the harshest conflict and kindle hope in the thickest darkness.”

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”  Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” 

(John 18:33-38)

In the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus reminds us that Our Lord’s kingship is real, yet it is unlike political kingship. He did not come to rule over peoples and territories. For Him, to reign was to serve! His throne was the cross where He revealed His power, the power of love. With this power, Christ the King set people free from the slavery of sin and reconciled them to God the Father. Throughout His earthly life, Jesus witnessed to the truth that God is love. On Calvary, He witnessed this truth to the full with the sacrifice of His own life. He conquered Satan, the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31).

Lastly, let us ask Our Blessed Mother Mary that through her intercession may we all gain the grace we need to allow Jesus Christ to rule in our hearts and souls as we serve others for the love of him and seek to build his Kingdom of Love. 

Almighty ever-living God, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of the universe, grant, we pray, that the whole creation, set free from slavery, may render your majesty service and ceaselessly proclaim your praise. 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. AMEN.

Sunday, 23 November, 2014
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King)


Reading 1

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Thus says the Lord GOD:
I myself will look after and tend my sheep.
As a shepherd tends his flock
when he finds himself among his scattered sheep,
so will I tend my sheep.
I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered
when it was cloudy and dark.
I myself will pasture my sheep;
I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD.
The lost I will seek out,
the strayed I will bring back,
the injured I will bind up,
the sick I will heal,
but the sleek and the strong I will destroy,
shepherding them rightly.

As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD,
I will judge between one sheep and another,
between rams and goats.


Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R/ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28

Brothers and sisters:
Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through man,
the resurrection of the dead came also through man.
For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father,
when he has destroyed every sovereignty
and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
When everything is subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected
to the one who subjected everything to him,
so that God may be all in all.

Gospel 

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you,
or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, 'Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life."

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ Memorial ~ 21 November, 2014

May we be assisted, 

we beseech Thee, O Lord, 

by the worshipful intercession 

of Thy glorious Mother, 

the ever-Virgin Mary; 

that we, who have been enriched 

by her perpetual blessings, 

may be delivered from all dangers, 

and through her loving kindness 

made to be one heart and mind: 

who livest and reignest 

world without end. 

Amen.

Every year on 21 November, we celebrated the memorial of The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Protoevangelium of James has told the story of Mary's presentation at the Temple at the age of three. In gratitude for being granted a child after years of infertility, Mary's parents, Saints Joachim and Anna, had vowed to dedicate Mary to the service of God at the Temple. When they presented her at the Temple at the age of three, she stayed willingly, showing her dedication to God even at that young age.

Pope Sixtus IV first placed the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the universal calendar in 1472, but in the Tridentine reform of the calendar in 1568, Pope Pius V removed the feast. It was restored 17 years later by Pope Sixtus V, and remains in the Roman calendar today as a memorial.

As we venerate the glorious memory of the most holy Virgin Mary, grant, we pray, O Lord, through her intercession, that we, too, may merit to receive from the fullness of your grace. 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. AMEN.

Friday, 21 November, 2014
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Reading 1

Revelation 10:8-11
I, John, heard a voice from heaven speak to me.
Then the voice spoke to me and said:
“Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel
who is standing on the sea and on the land.”
So I went up to the angel and told him to give me the small scroll.
He said to me, “Take and swallow it.
It will turn your stomach sour,
but in your mouth it will taste as sweet as honey.”
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it.
In my mouth it was like sweet honey,
but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour.
Then someone said to me, “You must prophesy again
about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131

R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!


Gospel 

Luke 19:45-48
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out
those who were selling things, saying to them,
“It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves.”
And every day he was teaching in the temple area.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile,
were seeking to put him to death,
but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose
because all the people were hanging on his words.

Prayer to the Infant Jesus ~ Father Cyril OCD

O Infant Jesus, I run to You,

begging You through Your Holy Mother

to save me in this need 

(you may name it here),

for I truly and firmly believe

that Your Divinity can defend me.

Full of trust I hope in You

to obtain Your holy grace.

I love You with all my heart,

I am painfully sorry for my sins

and on my knees I beg You,

O Little Jesus, to free me from them.

My resolution is to improve

and never more to offend You.

Therefore, I offer myself to You,

ready to suffer everything for You

and to serve You faithfully.

I will love my neighbour as myself

from my heart for the love of You.

O Little Jesus, I adore You,

O Mighty Child, I implore You,

save me in this need

(you can mention it here),

that I may enjoy You eternally,

with Mary and Joseph see You

and with all the angels adore You.

Amen.

Give Generously to the Church, Tithing and Offering

Tithe is a tenth part of one's annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church. Catholics don't practice tithing, but we give voluntarily as our conscience dictates in response to the Precept of the Catholic Church that requires us to support the needs of the Church according to our ability and our station in life.

Ephesians 5:29-30

for no one ever hated his own flesh, 

but nourishes and cherishes it, 

just as Christ also does the church, 

because we are members of His body.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body; 

and be thankful.

Support the Church,

• Give what you can and what feels right. “Ideally, giving should feel good and should not be like a chore. It’s entirely up to you to decide how much you can give and what is appropriate given your monthly budget.
• Keep it consistent, no matter what amount you decide on, try to give on a regular basis.
• Keep it discreet, Matthew 6:3 say "do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
• Offer help in other ways instead (eg. like your services, volunteer on the weekends or during church-related events.), if your budget is tight.

Deuteronomy 14:22

You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, 

which comes forth from the field year by year.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must do as he has made up his mind, 

not reluctantly or under compulsion, 

for God loves a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 11:24

One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, 

and only suffers want.

Genesis 28:22

This stone, which I have set up for a pillar, 

shall be God’s house; 

and of all that thou givest me 

I will give the tenth to thee.

Six Precept of the Catholic Church (The Duties of a Catholic)

1. To go to Mass and refrain from servile work on Sundays and holy days.
2. To go to Confession at least once a year (traditionally done during Lent).
3. To receive the Eucharist at least once a year, during the Easter Season (known as the "Easter duty"). 
4. To observe the days of fasting and abstinence.
5. To help to provide for the needs of the Church according to one's abilities and station in life.
6. To obey the marriage laws of the Church.

Shoulder wound of Jesus . . .A powerful prayer for urgent help

Oh loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred wound of Thy shoulder, on which Thou did bear Thy heavy cross, which tore Thy flesh and lay Thy bones as to inflict an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most blessed body. 

I adore Thee, oh Jesus most sorrowful. I praise and glorify Thee, and give thanks fully to Thee for the most holy and sacred and painful wound. Beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy cross to be 
merciful to me on towards heaven along the way of Thy cross. In Jesus' name (make request) 

Amen to all.

**This powerful prayer must be said for requests and most urgent help. After you have said it, ask for requests, then you must publish it right away 
for requests to be granted.**

Prayer for Charity, Kindness and Care towards the Less Fortunate brothers and sisters

Thank You Lord for the many graces and blessings you have placed in my life. I offer You my heart-felt gratitude for Your countless gifts to me each day.

In turn, dear Lord, help me to be aware of the needs of my least sisters and brothers, and to respond to those those who are poor and less fortunate with generous expressions of charity, kindness and caring.

On that day Lord, when I finally stand before You to give an account of my life, I pray I will hear you say, “Come O good and faithful servant to share your Father’s joy, for when you saw me hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless, ill and imprisoned, you offered your gifts in charity and you lovingly did it for me”.

Amen.

Truly, I say to you, 

as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, 

you did it to me.

Matthew 25:40

Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles ~ 28 October, 2014

Saints Simon and Jude, who are among the twelve Apostles. Saint Simon the Zealot (Simon the Lesser), shares the feast with Saint Jude Thaddeus because it is believed both of the apostle traveled east from Palestine into what was then Persia to bring the Gospel to the nations, where they were martyred for the faith in the first century.

Saint Jude is best known to us as the patron saint of hopeless causes.

O God, who by the blessed Apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name, graciously grant, through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude, that the Church may constantly grow by increase of the peoples who believe in you. 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.

Tuesday - 28 October 2014
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

Reading 1
Ephesians 2:19-22
Brothers and sisters:
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets,
with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.
Through him the whole structure is held together
and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord;
in him you also are being built together
into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.


Responsorial Psalm 

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.


Gospel 

Luke 6:12-16
Jesus went up to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Christian believe in ONE

ONE Lord, 

ONE Faith, 

ONE Hope, 

ONE Baptism,

ONE Holy Spirit,

ONE God and Father of all.

Therefore, abide in God and you will discover that your effectiveness in ministering to your family, your friends, your community, and your parish will grow and bear marvellous fruit.

Heavenly Father, 

bless all those You have called. 

May they see the dignity 

they have in Your eyes. 

Open their hearts to the treasure 

You have prepared for them. 

Amen.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary, star of the new evangelization

Mary, Virgin and Mother,

you who, moved by the Holy Spirit,

welcomed the word of life 

in the depths of your humble faith:

as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One,

help us to say our own “yes” 

to the urgent call, as pressing as ever,

to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

Filled with Christ’s presence, 

you brought joy to John the Baptist,

making him exult in the womb of his mother.

Brimming over with joy, 

you sang of the great things done by God.

Standing at the foot of the cross with unyielding faith,

you received the joyful comfort of the resurrection, 

and joined the disciples in awaiting the Spirit

so that the evangelizing Church might be born.

Obtain for us now a new ardour born of the resurrection,

that we may bring to all 

the Gospel of life which triumphs over death.

Give us a holy courage to seek new paths,

that the gift of unfading beauty 

may reach every man and woman.

Virgin of listening and contemplation,

Mother of love, Bride of the eternal wedding feast,

pray for the Church, whose pure icon you are, 

that she may never be closed in on herself 

or lose her passion for establishing God’s kingdom.

Star of the new evangelization, 

help us to bear radiant witness to communion,

service, ardent and generous faith, justice 

and love of the poor,

that the joy of the Gospel 

may reach to the ends of the earth,

illuminating even the fringes of our world.

Mother of the living Gospel,

wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, 

pray for us.

Amen. Alleluia!

October ~ Month dedicated to our Lady of the Rosary

October is the month of the Holy Rosary, 7th October every year is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The rosary is one of the most cherished prayers of our Catholic Church. Starts with the Creed, the Our Father, three Hail Mary's and the Glory Be, and involves the recitation of five decades consisting of the Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and the Glory Be. During the recitation, individual's meditates on the saving mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous) of our Lord's life and the faithful witness of our Blessed Mother.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known, 

that anyone who fled to thy protection, 

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, 

was left unaided. 

Inspired by this confidence, 

we fly unto thee, 

O Virgin of virgins, our Mother! 

To thee do we come, 

before we pray, sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 

despise not our petitions, 

but in thy mercy, 

hear and answer them. 

Amen.

The Hail Mary reminded the people of the Angelical Salutation and the Providence of God, while it at the same time prepared the soul for and obtained grace by the power of impetration, or by its efficacy as a prayer. The Rosary is the devotion which belongs especially to Our Lady. No one who wishes for the assistance of Mary will neglect her Rosary. Let us then pray the rosary daily, especially praying together with your family and during this Month of the Rosary!

“THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS 

THE ROSARY TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!”

A Prayer for Help ~ Psalm 86

86 Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am helpless and weak.
2 Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.

3 You are my God, so be merciful to me;

I pray to you all day long.

4 Make your servant glad, O Lord,

because my prayers go up to you.

5 You are good to us and forgiving,

full of constant love for all who pray to you.

6 Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
hear my cries for help.
7 I call to you in times of trouble,
because you answer my prayers.

8 There is no god like you, O Lord,

not one has done what you have done.

9 All the nations that you have created

will come and bow down to you;

they will praise your greatness.

10 You are mighty and do wonderful things;

you alone are God.

11 Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,
and I will obey you faithfully;
teach me to serve you with complete devotion.
12 I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God;
I will proclaim your greatness forever.
13 How great is your constant love for me!
You have saved me from the grave itself.
14 Proud people are coming against me, O God;
a cruel gang is trying to kill me—
people who pay no attention to you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God,
always patient, always kind and faithful.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;
strengthen me and save me,
because I serve you just as my mother did.
17 Show me proof of your goodness, Lord;
those who hate me will be ashamed
when they see that you have given me comfort and help.

Holy Guardian Angel Prayer

"Dear angel at my side, my good and loyal friend, you have been with me since the moment I was born. You are my own personal guardian, given me by God as my guide and protector, and you will stay with me until I die. He who created you and me gave me to you as your particular charge. You assisted in great joy at my baptism, when I became part of the mystical body of Christ, and was made a member of the household of God and an heir of heaven. You saw the dangers that beset my path, and, if I sinned, it was in spite of you. You envied me when Christ came to me in Holy Communion. Even though you probably were there among the angels that adored him the night he was born, you have not been able to receive him as I can. Oh, help me to appreciate these gifts! Help me to realize, as you do, with every fiber of my being, that to serve Christ is to be a king! Help me steadfastly to avoid evil and do good and always guard my soul from sin. Protect me as well from physical evils as I go about my daily work. You will be with me all my life, and at the hour of my death. Help me to face death bravely, patiently, with great love of God, knowing that it is only through death that I can come to him in heaven! Then, come with me to my judge, and when the hour of my salvation comes, take me home to my father, God. Amen."

source : angels.about.com