The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., is a Catholic church dedicated to the Blessed Mother, patroness of our nation. It is a place of worship, pilgrimage, evangelization, and reconciliation. Mary’s Shrine invites people from across the country and beyond to share in Christ’s ever-living presence.
Watch Basilica Sunday Mass 16 May 2021 – Solemn Mass of the Ascension of the Lord
Daily Reading for Sunday May 16, 2021
Reading 1, Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20
Gospel, John 17:11-19
Reading 2, First John 4:11-16
Reading 1, Acts 1:15-17, 20-26
15 One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers — there were about a hundred and twenty people in the congregation,
16 ‘Brothers,’ he said, ‘the passage of scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who acted as guide to the men who arrested Jesus-
17 after being one of our number and sharing our ministry.
20 Now in the Book of Psalms it says: Reduce his encampment to ruin and leave his tent unoccupied. And again: Let someone else take over his office.
21 ‘Out of the men who have been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was living with us,
22 from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us, one must be appointed to serve with us as a witness to his resurrection.’
23 Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias,
24 they prayed, ‘Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen
25 to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.’
26 They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.