May 16, 2026
A reading from
the Acts of the Apostles18:23-28
After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.
A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.
The word of the Lord.
May 15, 2026
Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Close to Nature
Saint Bernard of Menthon
Priest and founder († 1008) Feast: June 15
Bernard was born into the nobility, although it’s not certain whether his family lived on the French or the Italian side of the Alps. He decided to become a priest as a young man, and he was assigned as archdeacon of the northern Italian region of Aosta. For more than forty years, he served as a missionary priest, bringing Christ and the sacraments to remote villages throughout the mountainous region of the Italian Alps. He even converted many pagans to the faith.
Over the years, Bernard often encountered pilgrims from France and Germany who were trying to cross the Alps and reach Rome. Sadly, many times he discovered travelers who were dangerously lost, frozen, stuck in deep snow, or preyed upon by bandits. As a work of mercy and with the financial support of his bishop and some wealthy donors, Bernard built two hospices at strategic mountain passes to house these travelers.
Initially Bernard’s hospices were staffed by priests and laymen, but eventually he was able to establish his own order. His Augustinian Hospitallers received all travelers in need and continued his work after his death. The dogs that helped them were, of course, named Saint Bernards in his honor.
Almighty God, show us how to reach those who are in danger or who are far away from you.
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©Image : Christ on the Lake of Galilee, Jacopo Tintoretto (circle, 1518-1594), NGA, Washington D.C., USA. Photo Courtesy NGA Washington.
