The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Magnificat

We pray it as part of the Liturgy of Hours, and we hear it proclaimed in the Gospel reading on the feast of the Visitation — May 31 — but I’m not sure most Catholics stop often enough to think about what a beautiful gift we have in Mary’s Magnificat. This post by Our Sunday Visitor editorial director for periodicals Gretchen Crowe reminds us of its importance.

St. Isidore the Farmer

St. Isidore was a Spanish laboring man. Born near Madrid, around 1070, he lived there until his death, May 15,1130. He served on the farm of a Juan de Vargas. Each morning before going to work he attended Mass in one of the churches in Madrid.

St. Matthias

St. Matthias is the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Little is known of his missionary activity, but tradition states that he preached in Judea. He is credited with a Gospel and other discourses that have not been historically confirmed. His feast day is May 14.

St. Catherine of Siena

Today, April 29, we celebrate the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. Born on the feast of the Annunciation in 1347, St. Catherine of Siena became a stalwart voice of the Church, a shining light in one of the darkest, most turbulent periods of Christian history. She gave her short 33 years of life in service to God.