Saturday, May 9, 2026

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Easter Time

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Acts 16:1-10

And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed: but his father was a Gentile. To this man the brethren that were in Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony. Him Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile. And as they passed through the cities, they delivered unto them the decrees for to keep, that were decreed by the apostles and ancients who were at Jerusalem. And the churches were confirmed in faith and increased in number daily. And when they had passed through Phrygia and the country of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. And when they were come into Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia: and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not. And when they had passed through Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision was shewed to Paul in the night, which was a man of Macedonia standing and beseeching him and saying: Pass over into Macedonia and help us. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia: being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Feast Days

Gerontius of Cervia Bishop, Catholic priest 450–501

Born in Italy, Gerontius became the first known Bishop of Cervia, serving the young Church with the steady care of a shepherd. In the year 501, he set out from Rome after a council convened to address grave accusations raised against Pope Symmachus. Returning north along the Via Flaminia, Gerontius traveled with Viticanus, Bishop of Cagli, bearing the burdens of ecclesial responsibility and the hope of peace for the faithful. Near Cagli, close to Ancona, their journey was violently interrupted. Gerontius was assaulted by bandits and killed, a death later remembered in local tradition as an attack by “heretics.” Because he died in the course of his service to the Church, he came to be honored as a martyr, a witness sealed in blood to his fidelity. Gerontius is especially venerated in Cagli, where his remains are honored, and he is regarded as a patron of that city. His feast day is celebrated on May 9.

Priscus of Nocera Bishop, Priest 201–300

Saint Priscus was born in Nuceria Alfaterna (today’s Nocera area in southern Italy) and lived there in the third century. Chosen as the first bishop of Nocera, he is remembered as an early shepherd of the local Church, guiding the faithful with steadfast devotion in a time when Christian life often required quiet courage and deep trust in God. Though many details of his life are veiled by the centuries, his holiness left a strong imprint on the people. Ancient Christian writers testify that devotion to him was already flourishing by the early fifth century, both in Nuceria and nearby Nola. Popular tradition also surrounds him with stories of God’s providence and protection—tales of a journey to Rome to clear his name, of humble gifts offered with faith, and of wondrous help granted along the way. After his death, his tomb became a place of prayer, and his relics have long been venerated in Nocera Inferiore, where he remains the city’s patron and a patron of the local diocese. His feast day is May 9.