Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Feast Day is May 31st)

ImageMay 30, 2026April 26, 2026Kristin's Crosses

The Visitation, by Jerónimo Ezquerra, 1737

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Luke 1:39-56

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Saint Rita of Cascia

ImageMay 22, 2026April 26, 2026Kristin's Crosses

St. Rita of Cascia

St. Rita of Cascia
Patroness of Impossible Causes
and Hopeless Circumstances

Daily Prayer to Saint Rita

Dear Saint Rita,
during your entire life on earth
you found your happiness by following
the will of our heavenly Father.
Help me to be as trusting of God
in all his designs for me.
Help me this day to give myself
to him as you did, without limit,
without fear, without counting the cost.
Help me to be generous in serving
the needs of others, patient in all difficulties,
forgiving toward all who injure me.
Help me to learn more deeply
the great mystery of the cross of Jesus,
so that by embracing it as you did,
I may come to experience its power
to heal and to save.
Amen.

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

ImageMay 17, 2026April 26, 2026Kristin's Crosses

Ascension of Christ, by Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo, 1510-1520

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Luke 24:45-53

(All US ecclesiastical provinces, except Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia, have transferred the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord to the 7th Sunday of Easter.)