Monday, May 1st, St. Joseph the Worker. The feast, instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955, proposes the example and intercession of St. Joseph as worker and patron of workers. On this date many countries celebrate the dignity of human labour.
Tuesday, May 2nd, St. Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church. Born at Alexandria around 295, he fought ceaselessly against heresy, defending the true and equal divinity of Christ. As a result, he had to endure much tribulation and he was several times sent into exile.
Wednesday, May 3rd, Ss. Philip and James, Apostles. St. Philip asks to see and, having seen, he tells the good news to others. He was born in Bethsaida. Formerly a disciple of John the Baptist, he became a follower of Christ. St. James, the son of Alphaeus and a cousin of the Lord, ruled the Church of Jerusalem, wrote an epistle, and led a life of penance. He converted many of the people of Jerusalem to the faith and was martyred in the year 62.
Thursday, May 4th, St. Conleth. While he was living as a hermit, Conleth was persuaded by Brigid to act as priest for her community in Kildare. He was venerated as a great saint and in an early ‘Life of Brigid’ is called bishop and abbot of the monks of Kildare. He was buried beside Brigid in the great church there.
Friday, May 5th, Blessed Edmund Rice, religious. (1762-1844). After his wife’s early death, he sold all he had and dedicated his life to the education of the poor. To advance the work, he gathered other like-minded men who took religious vows together to work for the Catholic education of boys. He is a model of patient and cheerful acceptance of the sufferings God sends, a true lay apostle and a deeply committed religious.