We started blessing the children at bedtime, and this has grown into one of our favorite family prayers. Click here to learn the bedtime blessing.

Easter season is a celebration that lasts 50 days and ends with the second most important feast of the year, Pentecost. It was at the first Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and poured out His spiritual gifts upon them. We, too, receive these gifts in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.

We'll review the gifts of the Holy Spirit during the Easter season.

The seventh gift is Wisdom

Wisdom is the beginning and the culmination of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is knowledge combined with experiences of the Holy Spirit, and produces, according to Thomas Aquinas, a special "taste" for God. (Read more)

These lovely candles are  available for purchase through Wolfe's Baldwin Brass Center Ordering candles from this link  financially supports this site. Thank you!

You can use a white candle throughout the seventh week of Easter.

• Monday, May 21 use a white candle for the memorial St. Magallanes and his companions. Mexico of the 1920s was definitely anti-Catholic. The government sought to abolish the Catholic Church. Priests and lay people resisted the effort to defeat the Catholic Church, and were persecuted, tortured, and murdered because they defended their faith. To read about some of these modern-day martyrs, click here.
   
• Tuesday, May 22 use a white candle for the memorial of St. Rita of Cascia, patron saint of impossible cases. St. Rita wanted to become a nun, but her parents forced her to marry a cruel, abusive man. Many years later, after the death of her husband and sons, she entered the religious life. Throughout her years of suffering Rita never lost her faith, and is an example of dignity in the face of pain.
   
• Friday, May 25 use a white candle for for three saints who share this memorial:  St. Bede the Venerable, St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi. St. Bede was the 8th century Benedictine monk who is known as the Father of English History, and wrote numerous other works on practically every imaginable topic. St. Gregory VII was a pope during the 11th century and was known for fighting abuses within the Church. St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi was a 16th century Carmelite nun who welcomed her physical and mental suffering as a way to love Christ more.
   
• Saturday, May 26 use a white candle for the memorial of St. Philip Neri, the 16th century priest who is well known for his gifts in converting sinners within the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He is the patron saint of Rome.

A solemnity is a day of greatest importance. The celebration starts the evening before the actual solemnity. Easter is our most important solemnity. A feast is the next most important day. It commemorates Mary, the apostles, martyrs and other saints, and the events associated with them. Mass readings often reflect the special feast day. A memorial is a special day, but often an optional celebration. The scripture readings for Mass may or may not be specially selected for the memorial.
 

Next week is Pentecost, the birthday of our Church. There is a centuries old Novena to the Holy Spirit which begins on May 19, 2007 to help prepare for Pentecost.

(Click here to learn more about the history of this novena)
 

Readings for the 7th Sunday of Easter

Readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension

Please note: In many dioceses of the United States the solemnity of the Ascension has been transferred from Ascension Thursday to the 7th Sunday of Easter. We've included both sets of readings - they're too wonderful to miss!

Seventh Sunday of Easter:

The readings this week fill us with the sense of wonder and glory our salvation brings. We hear the story of Christianity's first martyr, Stephen. He has a vision of the "Son of Man." This is the only time someone other than Jesus, Himself, referred to Him as the Son of Man. Therefore, it is appropriate that Stephen's story parallels Jesus' own Passion. They were both removed from the city for their executions. They prayed for their executioners. They prayed for their spirits to be commended to the Almighty. It is in this reading we see what is in our future as followers of Christ - earthly trials, heavenly glory.

It is our last week for some time to hear the words of the Book of Revelation. These are the last words of the book, and they are full of glory, exaltation, and love. During Advent we proclaimed "Come, Lord Jesus." This week we say it again, and this time hear the response, "Yes, I am coming soon." We receive Jesus in Scripture, in the Eucharist, in all the sacraments. We have the right to the tree of life. We can drink the eternal water.  His Kingdom, although incomplete, is here.

In our Gospel we hear Jesus' impassioned prayer for Christian unity immediately prior to His arrest, trial, and Crucifixion. He speaks words of love. Not love only for those who are perfect, not love only for those who agree with each other, not love only for those who follow all the rules without question. Jesus speaks of love for all who seek unity despite differences. Jesus speaks of the love we were granted from the very beginning.

Solemnity of the Ascension:

Between Easter and the Ascension the readings told us of the times Jesus appeared to His followers. Even after the Resurrection they did not fully understand the meaning of all that had happened. For forty days following the Resurrection Jesus taught His followers the meaning of the Old Testament (Hebrew) Scriptures, and about the Kingdom of God. Finally it was time for Him to reach His complete glory, the glory with His Father. He had to leave our world so the complete Trinity could be revealed, and we could all be witnesses to the Truth.

The first reading from Luke's Acts of the Apostles shows us that Jesus' followers were still focused on an earthly kingdom. Jesus gently lets them down. The Kingdom of God is far different, and far greater, than anything they can imagine.

Both second readings, from the letter to the Hebrews or Paul's letter to the Ephesians, reiterate the message of the Ascension. Jesus' earthly mission is complete. God shared in our humanity to show us His divinity. We can all be with Him now.

In Luke's gospel we also hear the story of the Ascension. Jesus briefly summarizes all He has taught His disciples to return to Jerusalem, promises the Holy Spirit, blesses His friends, then leaves our world. They disciples respond with joy and praise. Their reaction to His leaving is a far cry from their reaction of Good Friday. They are no longer hiding in fear and longing. Now they are fulfilled and patiently waiting for the promised Advocate. How their faith has grown over the past 40 days! Has your faith grown as well?
 

1. Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
   We're finishing Acts of the Apostles this week. The book ends on a high note - Paul arrives in Rome, preaches to the Jewish elders as a witness of the Kingdom of God, and explains that their rejection of the Kingdom led to the salvation of the Gentiles. Paul spends his time, without hindrance, teaching about Jesus. At that time it was understood that "all roads lead to Rome." Luke's rendition of Paul's journeys have shown the spread of Christianity throughout the known world. Paul has come full circle. He travels to the center of the world, Rome. His job is complete. Hopefully we, too, can achieve our ultimate destiny.
    
2. Jn 16:29-33
   The disciples believe Jesus came from God, but their faith is still immature. When Jesus is tried and crucified, they are gone. Yet Jesus understands that, even in His ultimate suffering, He is never alone. God the Father is always with Him. Once again Jesus gives His friends peace.
   
   Jesus' assurances are so concise, yet unceasingly reassuring. He recognizes His disciples' weaknesses. Even in their weaknesses, He grants them peace. He knows they will continue to grow in their faith and become ever stronger witnesses of His message.
   
   We, too, can be comforted by these words. We can see our own foolish choices, our own failings in faith. God is always with us, even when we try to run away. We can continue to grow. Jesus loves us through it all.

Lectionary readings for the 7th Week of Easter: