Liturgical Calendar

 April 3, 2021 

Holy SaturdayAt the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

photo courtesy of wikipedia

Saint of the day

Saint Agape (d.304)

Saint Agape, along with her sisters Saint Chionia and Saint Irene, was accused of possessing sacred scriptural texts during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. At the time, possessing these materials was a crime punishable by death. During their trial, the sisters refused to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods, and were martyred. Even though it would have been seemingly easy for Agape to momentarily push her faith aside to keep her life, she said, "I believe in the living God and will not by an evil action lose all the merits of my past life." She was wise enough to know that one small evil action can have enormous consequences.

Reflection

Use your imagination to place yourself in Saint Agape's situation. Imagine being asked to forsake your faith, just once, in order to be saved. Imagine facing the possibility of being martyred. What would you have done in this situation?

Prayer

Dear God, please help me to know the courage and faith required to become a martyr.

Liturgical season information

Lectionary: 41

Place in Year: Easter

Color of decorations and priest's vestments: White

Daily readings

Reading I: Gn 1:1—2:2

Alternate Reading I: Gn 1:1, 26-31A

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35

Alternate Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:4-5, 6-7, 12-13, 20 And 22

Reading II: Gn 22:1-18

Alternate Reading II: Gn 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11

Reading III: Ex 14:15—15:1

Responsorial Psalm: Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18

Reading IV: Is 54:5-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

Reading V: Is 55:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6

Reading VI: Bar 3:9-15, 32--4:4

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

Reading VII: Ez 36:16-17A, 18-28

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3, 4

Alternate Responsorial Psalm: Is 12:2-3, 4Bcd, 5-6

Alternate Responsorial Psalm: Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

Epistle: Rom 6:3-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23

Gospel: Mark 16:1-7