Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Time After Pentecost

Week

Week 4 of Time After Pentecost

Rank

Feast

This celebration falls in the Time after Pentecost, the long liturgical season focused on the growth of the Church in the Spirit after Pentecost. There is no octave or vigil indicated here, so the observance is kept on the single calendar day.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Ps 131:9-10
May Your priests, O Lord, be clothed with justice; let Your faithful ones shout merrily for joy. For the sake of David, Your servant, reject not the plea of Your anointed. (Allelúja, allelúja.)
Ps 131:1
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, Who promised to those who forsake all things in this world for You a hundred-fold reward in the world to come and life everlasting, mercifully grant that, following closely in the footsteps of the holy Bishop Paulinus, we may look upon earthly things as nought, and long only for those of heaven.
Who livest…

Weekly Prayer

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.

Weekly Formation

Commandment 9

The Ten Commandments

Thou shalt not covet another person’s spouse.
The Ninth Commandment guards purity and marital fidelity within the heart, where deliberate desires begin. It distinguishes an unwanted temptation from a chosen desire and forbids willingly entertaining thoughts that would violate another person or another marriage.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

Paulinus

St. Paulinus of Nola, Bishop and Confessor

Christian bishop and saint

Born: 0354-01-01 · Bordeaux
Died: 0431-06-22 · Nola

Paulinus of Nola born Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus, was a Roman poet, writer, and senator who attained the ranks of suffect consul and governor of Campania but—following the assassination of the emperor Gratian and under the influence of his Hispanic wife Therasia of Nola—abandoned his career, was baptized as a Christian, and probably after Therasia's death became bishop of Nola in Campania. While there, he wrote poems in honor of his predecessor Saint Felix and corresponded with other Christian leaders throughout the empire. He is credited with the introduction of bells to Christian worship and helped resolve the disputed election of Pope Boniface I.

Learn more about Paulinus

Today in Church History

The Council of Ephesus (431)
431Council
The Council of Ephesus, convened in 431, was a pivotal moment in Catholic history as it addressed the heresy of Nestorianism, affirming the title of Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God). This council reinforced the Church's teachings on the nature of Christ and the unity of His divine and human natures, shaping Christological doctrine for centuries to come.
The affirmation of Mary as Mother of God deepens our understanding of Christ's incarnation and the mystery of salvation.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The sacrament of Confirmation is a profound moment in the life of a Catholic. Sacred chrism is consecrated by the bishop, and, in the Roman Rite when Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, the liturgy begins with the renewal of baptismal promises and the profession of faith. Through the laying on of hands, anointing with chrism, and the words “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit,” the confirmand receives the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation deepens baptismal grace, unites us more firmly to Christ, strengthens our bond with the Church, and gives us strength to spread and defend the faith as true witnesses of Christ. Given only once, it leaves an indelible spiritual mark, or “character,” enabling the confirmed person to profess faith in Christ publicly.

The Catechism teaches that every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive Confirmation. Along with Baptism and the Eucharist, Confirmation belongs to the unity of Christian initiation; without Confirmation and Eucharist, initiation remains incomplete. In the Latin tradition, the age of discretion is the usual reference point, though children in danger of death should be confirmed even before that age. Confirmation preparation helps candidates grow in closer union with Christ, deeper familiarity with the Holy Spirit, and readiness for the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. Candidates should prepare through Penance and more intense prayer, and may fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor, ideally a baptismal godparent. The parish community has a special responsibility in preparing confirmands. In the Latin Rite, the bishop is the ordinary minister of Confirmation, showing the sacrament’s close connection with the Church’s apostolic origins and mission to bear witness to Christ.

¶ 1303

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings