Wednesday May 3:
Feast of Saint Philip and James, Apostles

Red vestments

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8
Psalms: Psalm 19: 2-5
Gospel Reading: John 14: 6-14

   These two saints were both Apostles hand chosen by Jesus. Sacred Scripture records that when Saint Philip first met Jesus, he went to Nathaniel - "We have found Him of Whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph." Nathaniel's famous reply: "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" Philip, Nathaniel, James and all the other Apostles and disciples would soon discover the answer: YES! After Our Lord ascended, Philip preached the Gospel in Asia Minor and was horribly crucified there in 80 AD. Saint James, known as James the Less to distinguish himself from James the Greater was a cousin of Jesus and a brother of the Apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus. James was also known as James the Just to depict the austere, chaste life he led of penance and prayer. He was one of the first to see Jesus after His Resurrection. Like Philip, he preached the Gospel but was also appointed Bishop of Jerusalem and sat beside Saint Peter and Saint Paul during the Council of Jerusalem. Later, after Paul had escaped the wrath of the Jews by appealing to Caesar the angry Jews turned on James and stoned him, driving him to a tower where he was thrown off and struck his head, dying instantly of a massive concussion. The sword he holds represents his martyrdom, while the cross Philip clutches represents his death.

Thursday May 4:
Thursday in Easter

White vestments

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-33
Psalms: Psalm 34: 2, 9, 17-20
Gospel Reading: John 3: 31-36

          

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