29 April 2026 (Wednesday) | Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor Obligatory Memorial | Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

29 April 2026 (Wednesday)

Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin, Doctor of the Church Obligatory Memorial.
Memorial of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church.

The Word of the day is a daily podcast featuring the readings in the Vatican liturgical calendar accompanied by a commentary from one of the Popes of recent times.

Readings from the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church:

First Reading: Acts 12: 24 – 13: 5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8
Gospel acclamation: Alleluia: John 8: 12
Gospel: John 12: 44-50
Liturgical year 2026 (Cycle A/II)
Liturgical color: White 

First Reading: Acts 12: 24 – 13: 5

(Reader) A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

24 But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministry, taking with them John, who was surnamed Mark.
13:1 Now there were in the church which was at Antioch, prophets and doctors, among whom was Barnabas, and Simon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manahen, who was the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 And as they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have taken them.
3 Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.
4 So they being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia: and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were come to Salamina, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

(Reader) The Word of the Lord.
(All) Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6 and 8

R. (4) O God, let all the nations praise you!
or
R. Alleluia.
2 May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.
3 That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or
R. Alleluia.
5 Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or
R. Alleluia.
6 Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:
8 May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
or
R. Alleluia.

Gospel acclamation: Alleluia: John 8: 12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
12 I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: John 12: 44-50

(Reader) A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
(All) Glory to you, O Lord.

44 But Jesus cried, and said: He that believeth in me, doth not believe in me, but in him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me, seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world; that whosoever believeth in me, may not remain in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and keep them not, I do not judge him: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that despiseth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father who sent me, he gave me commandment what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting. The things therefore that I speak, even as the Father said unto me, so do I speak.

(Reader) The Gospel of the Lord.
(All) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

For our reflection today:

The words of the Popes.

Jesus promised he would give everyone “rest”, but on one condition: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart”. What is this “yoke” which lightens instead of burdening, which instead of oppressing, uplifts? The “yoke” of Christ is the law of love, it is his commandment which he bequeathed to his disciples (cf. Jn 13:34; 15:12). The true remedy for humanity's wounds, both material — such as hunger and injustice in all its forms — and psychological and moral, caused by a false well-being, is a rule of life based on fraternal love, whose source is in the love of God. For this reason it is necessary to abandon the way of arrogance, of violence used to obtain ever more powerful positions, to assure oneself of success at any price. It is also necessary to give up the aggressive attitude with regard to the environment which has prevailed in recent centuries and to adopt a reasonable “gentleness”. However, in human, interpersonal and social relations above all, the rule of respect and of non-violence, namely, the power of the truth against every kind of abuse is what can assure a future worthy of the human being. (Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, 3 July 2011)

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)