Sunday
\nContinuing of St Stephen’s dialogue with the Jews…<\/p>\n
Acts 7:<\/p>\n
44\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cOur fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, <\/span> 45\u00a0<\/sup>which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, <\/span> 46\u00a0<\/sup>who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. <\/span> 47\u00a0<\/sup>But Solomon built Him a house.<\/span><\/p>\n 48\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cHowever, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:<\/span><\/p>\n 49\u00a0<\/sup>\u2018Heaven<\/span> is<\/i> My throne,<\/span><\/span> 51\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cYou<\/i> stiff-necked[g<\/a>]<\/sup> and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did,<\/i> so do<\/i> you. <\/span> 52\u00a0<\/sup>Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, <\/span> 53\u00a0<\/sup>who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.<\/i>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 54\u00a0<\/sup>When they heard these things they were [h<\/a>]<\/sup>cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their<\/i> teeth. <\/span> 55\u00a0<\/sup>But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, <\/span> 56\u00a0<\/sup>and said, \u201cLook! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 57\u00a0<\/sup>Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; <\/span> 58\u00a0<\/sup>and they cast him<\/i> out of the city and stoned him.<\/i> And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. <\/span> 59\u00a0<\/sup>And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God<\/i> and saying, \u201cLord Jesus, receive my spirit.\u201d <\/span> 60\u00a0<\/sup>Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, \u201cLord, do not charge them with this sin.\u201d And when he had said this, he fell asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n Prayer:\u00a0 O my God I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. (Act of Faith)<\/p>\n Monday At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. <\/span> 2\u00a0<\/sup>And devout men carried Stephen to his burial,<\/i> and made great lamentation over him.<\/span><\/p>\n 3\u00a0<\/sup>As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them<\/i> to prison.<\/span><\/p>\n 4\u00a0<\/sup>Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. <\/span> 5\u00a0<\/sup>Then Philip went down to [a<\/a>]<\/sup>the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. <\/span> 6\u00a0<\/sup>And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. <\/span> 7\u00a0<\/sup>For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. <\/span> 8\u00a0<\/sup>And there was great joy in that city.<\/span><\/p>\n 9\u00a0<\/sup>But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced [b<\/a>]<\/sup>sorcery in the city and astonished the [c<\/a>]<\/sup>people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, <\/span> 10\u00a0<\/sup>to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, \u201cThis man is the great power of God.\u201d <\/span> 11\u00a0<\/sup>And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d<\/a>]<\/sup>sorceries for a long time. <\/span> 12\u00a0<\/sup>But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. <\/span> 13\u00a0<\/sup>Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.<\/span><\/p>\n Prayer:\u00a0 Having risen from sleep I hasten to Thee, O Lord, Lover of men, and by Thy loving-kindness I strive to do Thy work, and I pray to Thee:\u00a0 help me at all times, in everything, and deliver me from every evil thing of the world and every attack of the devil, and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, the Giver and Provider of everything good, and all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I send up glory, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.\u00a0 Amen. Tuesday 18\u00a0<\/sup>And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles\u2019 hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, <\/span> 19\u00a0<\/sup>saying, \u201cGive me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 20\u00a0<\/sup>But Peter said to him, \u201cYour money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! <\/span> 21\u00a0<\/sup>You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. <\/span> 22\u00a0<\/sup>Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. <\/span> 23\u00a0<\/sup>For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 24\u00a0<\/sup>Then Simon answered and said, \u201cPray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 25\u00a0<\/sup>So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.<\/span><\/p>\n Prayer:\u00a0 Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Wednesday 30\u00a0<\/sup>So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, \u201cDo you understand what you are reading?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 31\u00a0<\/sup>And he said, \u201cHow can I, unless someone guides me?\u201d And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. <\/span> 32\u00a0<\/sup>The place in the Scripture which he read was this:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe was led as a sheep to the slaughter;<\/span><\/span> 34\u00a0<\/sup>So the eunuch answered Philip and said, \u201cI ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?\u201d <\/span> 35\u00a0<\/sup>Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. <\/span> 36\u00a0<\/sup>Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, \u201cSee, here is<\/i> water. What hinders me from being baptized?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 37\u00a0<\/sup>[f<\/a>]<\/sup>Then Philip said, \u201cIf you believe with all your heart, you may.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n And he answered and said, \u201cI believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 38\u00a0<\/sup>So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. <\/span> 39\u00a0<\/sup>Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. <\/span> 40\u00a0<\/sup>But Philip was found at [g<\/a>]<\/sup>Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.<\/span><\/p>\n Prayer:\u00a0 Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia. Thursday 3\u00a0<\/sup>As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. <\/span> 4\u00a0<\/sup>Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, \u201cSaul, Saul,<\/span> why are you persecuting Me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 5\u00a0<\/sup>And he said, \u201cWho are You, Lord?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Then the Lord said, \u201cI am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.<\/span> [a<\/a>]<\/sup>It is<\/i> hard for you to kick against the goads.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 6\u00a0<\/sup>So he, trembling and astonished, said, \u201cLord, what do You want me to do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Then the Lord said<\/i> to him, \u201cArise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 7\u00a0<\/sup>And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. <\/span> 8\u00a0<\/sup>Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him<\/i> into Damascus. <\/span> 9\u00a0<\/sup>And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.<\/span><\/p>\n Prayer:\u00a0 The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.\u00a0\u00a0 And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. Friday And he said, \u201cHere I am, Lord.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 11\u00a0<\/sup>So the Lord said<\/i> to him, \u201cArise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one<\/i> called Saul<\/span> of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.<\/span> <\/span> 12\u00a0<\/sup>And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his<\/i> hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n 13\u00a0<\/sup>Then Ananias answered, \u201cLord, I have heard from many about this man, how much [b<\/a>]<\/sup>harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. <\/span>
\nAnd earth<\/span> is<\/i> My footstool.<\/span><\/span>
\nWhat house will you build for Me? says the<\/span> Lord<\/span>,<\/span><\/span>
\nOr what<\/span> is<\/i> the place of My rest?<\/span><\/span>
\n50\u00a0<\/sup>Has My hand not<\/span> made all these things?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nActs 8:\u00a0Now Saul was consenting to his death.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n*Prayer for the next day\u2019s morning<\/p>\n
\nActs 8:\u00a014\u00a0<\/sup>Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, <\/span> 15\u00a0<\/sup>who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. <\/span> 16\u00a0<\/sup>For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. <\/span> 17\u00a0<\/sup>Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nV. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
\nR. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
\n*Salve Regina<\/p>\n
\nActs 8:26\u00a0<\/sup>Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, \u201cArise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.\u201d This is [e<\/a>]<\/sup>desert. <\/span> 27\u00a0<\/sup>So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, <\/span> 28\u00a0<\/sup>was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. <\/span> 29\u00a0<\/sup>Then the Spirit said to Philip, \u201cGo near and overtake this chariot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAnd as a lamb before its shearer<\/span> is<\/i> silent,<\/span><\/span>
\nSo He opened not His mouth.<\/span><\/span>
\n33\u00a0<\/sup>In His humiliation His<\/span> justice was taken away,<\/span><\/span>
\nAnd who will declare His generation?<\/span><\/span>
\nFor His life is<\/span> taken from the earth.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLet us pray : O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beg Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
\n*Regina Coeli<\/p>\n
\nActs 9:1\u00a0Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest <\/span> 2\u00a0<\/sup>and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.<\/p>\n
\nActs 9:10\u00a0<\/sup>Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, \u201cAnanias.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n