Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Time After Pentecost

Week

Week 5 of Time After Pentecost

Rank

Sunday or semidouble observance

This day falls in the Time after Pentecost, the season when the Church reflects on the life of the Apostles and the growth of the Christian community after the coming of the Holy Spirit. Its rank is Semidouble: in plain terms, it is a celebration more important than an ordinary weekday but not as solemn as a principal feast. That affects which prayers and readings are used and how the liturgy is celebrated—some special antiphons and commemorations may be included, but the day does not replace major solemnities. It is also the sixth day within the Octave of the Apostles Peter and Paul, meaning it is part of an eight-day period of continued remembrance and prayer focused on these two foundational apostles; the octave lets the Church extend devotion, scripture, and the Eucharist around their principal feast.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Sedulius
Hail, holy Mother, who in childbirth brought forth the King Who rules heaven and earth world without end.
Ps 44:2
My heart overflows with a goodly theme; as I sing my ode to the King.
Glory Be to the Father…

Grant us, Your servants, O Lord God, we beseech You, to enjoy lasting health of mind and body; and by the intercession of glorious and blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be delivered from present sorrow and partake to the full of eternal happiness.
Through our Lord…

Weekly Prayer

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Weekly Formation

Commandment 10

The Ten Commandments

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
The Tenth Commandment governs desire for possessions and calls the heart to contentment and justice. It forbids wishing to obtain another’s goods wrongfully or resenting another’s prosperity, while still allowing honest work to improve one’s condition.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Sixth Day Within the Octave of the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul

anniversary

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul or Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is a liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is observed on 29 June. The celebration is of ancient Christian origin, the date selected being the anniversary of either their death or the translation of their relics.

Learn more about Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Today in Church History

Francesco II Ordelaffi's Surrender to Papal Forces
1359Event
In 1359, Francesco II Ordelaffi of Forlì surrendered to the Papal commander Gil de Albornoz, marking a significant moment in the consolidation of Papal authority in the Romagna region. This event underscores the ongoing struggle between local powers and the Papacy during the Avignon Papacy, highlighting the Church's role in political affairs.
The surrender illustrates the importance of humility and submission to divine authority, as exemplified by the Papacy.
Nazi Persecution of Polish Intellectuals in Lviv
1941Persecution
The massacre of Polish scientists and writers by Nazi troops in Lviv in 1941 is a stark reminder of the brutal persecution faced by many during World War II, including the Catholic Church and its faithful. This event highlights the broader context of suffering and martyrdom experienced by individuals and communities under totalitarian regimes, reinforcing the Church's commitment to human dignity and justice.
In times of persecution, the Church stands as a beacon of hope and resilience.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

In the Catholic tradition, the sacrament of Penance—also called conversion, confession, or reconciliation—is the sacrament through which forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism is conferred. Jesus gave his apostles the Holy Spirit and the authority to forgive or retain sins. Through God’s merciful grace, those who have lost communion with God through sin can return to him. This sacrament includes repentance, confession of sins to a priest, the intention to make reparation, and the priest’s absolution. Its spiritual fruits include reconciliation with God and the Church, peace and serenity of conscience, spiritual consolation, and increased strength for the Christian battle. As we reflect together, we can ask God for the gift of conversion for ourselves and for others, trusting in his mercy and seeking to live more faithfully as disciples of Christ.

In the face of illness and suffering, the Church offers the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, inviting the faithful to unite their suffering with the Passion of Christ, which can lead to spiritual growth and healing. Illness serves as a profound reminder of our human limitations and can provoke a search for God, allowing individuals to discern what truly matters in life. Jesus, who empathizes with our suffering, not only heals but also forgives, showing us that our pain can have redemptive value and connect us to His own suffering. For Catholic families, this teaches the importance of compassion, prayer, and support for those who are sick, encouraging a deeper reliance on God's mercy and the transformative power of love in times of distress.

¶ 1493

One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having carefully examined his conscience. the confession of venial faults, without being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.

Today's Mass Readings

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