The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Holy Father’s Intentions for the Month of May 2026
For the use of the new technologies: Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
Feasts for May
01. Joseph the Worker, Opt. Mem.
02. Athanasius, Memorial
03. FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Sunday
10. SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Sunday
12. Nereus and Achilleus; Pancras, Martyrs; Minor Rogation Day, Opt. Mem.
13. Our Lady of Fatima; Minor Rogation Day, Opt. Mem.
14. Matthias, Apostle or SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION, Feast
15. Isidore the Farmer (USA), Opt. Mem.
17. ASCENSION SUNDAY or the SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Solemnity
18. John I, Opt. Mem.
20. Bernardine of Siena, Opt. Mem.
21. Christopher Magallanes & Companions, Opt. Mem.
22. Rita of Cascia, Opt. Mem.
23. Augustine of Canterbury; Ember Wednesday, Opt. Mem.
24. PENTECOST, Sunday
25. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, Memorial
26. Philip Neri, Memorial
27. Augustine of Canterbury; Ember Wednesday, Opt. Mem.
31. TRINITY SUNDAY, Solemnity
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for May are taken from St. Luke and St. John. All are from Cycle A, Weekdays Year 1.
May 3rd – Fifth Sunday of Easter
John 14:1-12: I am the way and the truth and the life.
May 10th – Sixth Sunday of Easter
John 14:15-21: I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate.
May 17th – Solemnity of the Ascension or the Seventh Sunday of Easter Ascension,
Matthew 28:16-29: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Seventh Sunday, Cycle A, John 17:1-11a: Father, glorify your Son.
May 24th – Pentecost Sunday
John 20:19-23: As the Father sent me, so I send you: Receive the Holy Spirit.
May 31st – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
John 3:16-18: God sent his Son that the world might be saved through him.
The feasts of Sts. Philip and James (May 3), St. Damien de Vuester and John of Avila (May 10), and and the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31) are superseded by the Sunday liturgy. The Solemnity of the Ascension (May 14) is celebrated on May 17 (Sunday) in most dioceses in the United States.
Pentecost, the birth of the Church, is also among the celebrations of May. Though sprung from the side of Christ on the Cross, the Church marks as her birthday the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles. At the ‘birth’ of the world, the Holy Spirit — the Breath of God — was the “mighty wind [that] swept over the waters” (Gen 1:2); at the birth of the Church He is present again “like the rush of a mighty wind” to recreate the world in the image of Christ through His Church (Acts 2:2).
We, the members of Christ’s Mystical Body, are the present-day disciples sent by the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to the world. May we go forth as did Mary, who set out in haste to assist St. Elizabeth (feast of the Visitation, May 31). Come upon us, O Holy Spirit, so that, with Mary, we may proclaim the greatness of the Lord who has done great things for us — for his mercy endures forever!
extract from catholicculture.org website