Gospel: May 22, 2025
May 22, 2025 (Thursday)
5th Week of Easter
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Rita of Cascia, religious
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
1st Reading: Acts 15:7-21
Gospel: John 15:9-11
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Remain in my love! You will remain in my love if you keep my commandments, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you all this, that my own joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.
Reflection:
“As the Father has loved me.”
St. Rita became an Augustinian nun after the death of her husband Paolo Mancini. Both Paolo’s life and death were violent, as he was a quick-tempered, immoral man and an abusive husband, who died in a feud between the Chiqui and Mancini families. Although St. Rita publicly pardoned the perpetrators at Paolo’s funeral, the Augustinian nuns said that St. Rita would only be admitted if she managed to reconcile her family with her husband’s murderers, as members of St. Rita’s family were set on revenge.
She implored Saints John the Baptist, Augustine and Nicholas of Tolentino to assist her in bringing peace to Cascia. St. Rita suffered greatly and is a patron saint of impossible causes. Hers is an example of faith, patience and reconciliation. We ask the intercession of St. Rita that we too might be instruments of peace, healing the wounds of the past and changing lives for the better. Let us pray for an end to domestic violence, and for all who suffer this torment. May justice, peace and love reign in our homes, so that by keeping God’s commandments we might remain in his love.
