| DIES | 10 Sun | 11 Mon | 12 Tue | 13 Wed | 14 Thu | 15 Fri | 16 Sat | 17 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | S. Antonini Episcopi et Confessoris | Feria Secunda in Rogationibus | Ss. Nerei, Achillei et Domitillæ Virg. atque Pancratii Martyrum | S. Roberti Bellarmino Episcopi Confessoris et Ecclesiæ Doctoris | In Ascensione Domini | S. Joannis Baptistæ de la Salle Confessoris | S. Ubaldi Episcopi et Confessoris | S. Paschalis Baylon Confessoris |
| Classis | Duplex | Feria major | Semiduplex | Duplex | Duplex I | Duplex | Semiduplex | Duplex |
| Color | Albus | Purpura | Rubeum | Purpura | Albus | Albus | Albus | Albus |
| Missa | Státuit | Exaudívit | Ecce, óculi | Vocem | Viri Galilǽi | Os justi | Státuit | Os justi |
| Orationes | 2a. Dom. V post Pascha 3a. Ss. Gordiani et Epimachi Mm | 2a. de S. Maria 3a. ad libitum | 2a. de S. Maria 3a. Contra persecutores Ecclesiæ | 2a. Feria Quarta in Rogationibus 3a. In Vigilia Ascensionis | NA | 2a. Die II infra Octavam Ascensionis | 2a. Sabbato infra Octavam Ascensionis 3a. de S. Maria | 2a. Dominica infra Octavam Ascensionis 3a. pro Octava Ascensionis |
| Notae | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Paschalis | no Gl. Pref. de Paschalis | Gl. Pref. de Paschalis | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Paschalis | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Ascensione Domini | Gl. C Pref. de Ascensione Domini | Gl. Pref. de Ascensione Domini | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Ascensione Domini |
| Votiva | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | Votiva non permittuntur | PH: S. Isidori Agricolæ Confessoris Missa Justus | UK: S. Simonis Stock Confessoris Missa Os justi | Votiva non permittuntur | |
| Nota Bene | Post Septuagesimam Alleluia omittitur in omnibus horis; Missae votivae privatae permittuntur sine Gloria et Credo. | |||||||
* Color: Albus = White; Rubeum = Red; Viridis = Green; Purpura = Purple; Niger = Black
After Septuagesima, the Alleluia is entirely omitted, even on saints’ feasts. Votive Masses are permitted privately, but always without Gloria or Credo. The Church’s pedagogy is unmistakable: joy is not abolished, but disciplined, ordered toward the Paschal victory that lies beyond Lent.
Sunday 10 May — St Antoninus, Bishop and Confessor
The week opens with the feast of Saint Antoninus of Florence, Dominican reformer and Archbishop of Florence, remembered for his pastoral zeal, care for the poor, and wisdom in moral theology. Though the Fifth Sunday after Easter is commemorated, the saint’s witness takes precedence, reminding the faithful that holiness is lived through fidelity to truth and charity in action. White vestments are worn; Gloria and Creed are said, with the Paschal Preface.
11 May — Monday in the Rogation Days (Feria Major, Purple)
The Church enters the ancient Rogation Days, days of prayer, fasting, and penitential procession instituted to implore God’s mercy upon the land, protection from calamity, and blessings upon human labour. Traditionally marked by the chanting of the Litany of the Saints, these processions sanctify creation itself, reminding the faithful that all prosperity depends ultimately upon Divine Providence. The violet vestments reflect penitence, while the Mass Exaudívit implores God to hear the supplications of His people. The season remains Paschal, yet now tempered by solemn preparation for the Ascension.
Tuesday 12 May — Ss Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras, Martyrs
Today commemorates the heroic witness of the early Roman martyrs: Saints Nereus and Achilleus, soldiers converted to Christ; Saint Domitilla, noble virgin and exile for the Faith; and Saint Pancras, the youthful martyr who sealed his fidelity with blood at a tender age. Their feast during Paschaltide reminds us that the Resurrection gives courage even unto martyrdom. Red vestments signify the triumph of sacrificial love over persecution.
Wednesday 13 May — St Robert Bellarmine, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
The Church honours Robert Bellarmine, champion of Catholic orthodoxy during the Counter-Reformation and one of the Church’s greatest controversial theologians. Defender of the Faith against error and master of apologetics, Bellarmine united profound scholarship with personal holiness. The Rogation observance and Vigil of the Ascension are commemorated, preserving the Church’s expectant spirit as the Ascension approaches.
Thursday 14 May — The Ascension of Our Lord
Forty days after Easter, the Church celebrates the glorious Ascension of Christ into Heaven. Having completed the work of Redemption, Our Lord ascends bodily to the Father, opening Heaven to redeemed humanity and taking His seat as eternal High Priest and King. Yet the feast is not one of absence, but of promise: “I am with you all days.” White vestments, the Gloria, Creed, and proper Preface of the Ascension solemnise one of the great feasts of the liturgical year.
Friday 15 May — St John Baptist de La Salle, Confessor
Today the Church honours John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Christian Brothers and patron of teachers.
Amid social instability and neglect of the poor, he devoted himself to forming youth in both learning and virtue. Celebrated within the Octave of the Ascension, his example reminds the faithful of the Church’s enduring mission to educate souls for Heaven.
PHILIPPINES: 15 May — St Isidore the Labourer (San Isidro Labrador), Confessor
Today the Church honours Isidore the Laborer, the humble layman of Madrid commonly known as San Isidro Labrador. Living in twelfth-century Spain, he earned his livelihood as a farm labourer while becoming renowned for his profound piety, charity to the poor, and fidelity to daily prayer amidst ordinary labour. Tradition recounts that angels were seen ploughing the fields while Isidore attended Holy Mass, signifying that no earthly duty is neglected when God is placed first. Patron of farmers, labourers, and rural communities, he reminds the faithful that sanctity is not reserved to monasteries or clergy, but may be attained amid the ordinary duties of work, family life, and perseverance in humble virtue. White vestments are worn; the saint is commemorated within the joyful light of the Ascension Octave.
(In places observing the Hispanic calendar or local propers, St Isidore often enjoys greater solemnity, especially in Spain, Latin America, and agricultural communities.)
Saturday 16 May — St Ubald, Bishop and Confessor
The feast of Ubald of Gubbio recalls a bishop renowned for humility, peacemaking, and steadfastness amidst political unrest. As shepherd of Gubbio, he sought reconciliation among factions and guided his flock by gentleness rather than severity. Kept during the Ascension Octave, his witness points to the episcopal office as one of patient pastoral charity.
Sunday 17 May — St Paschal Baylon, Confessor
The Church commemorates Paschal Baylon, humble Franciscan lay brother and ardent lover of the Blessed Sacrament. Though of little worldly learning, he possessed profound Eucharistic devotion and was often found in prayer before the tabernacle. His feast coincides with the Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension, drawing attention to Christ’s abiding sacramental presence as the Church awaits the coming of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.
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