May Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations

May 1: St. Philip & St. James, Apostles

Feast
St. Philip is mentioned in the lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13), but only in John’s Gospel is more told about him. Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee and one of the first disciples called after Peter and Andrew. Philip was instrumental in bringing Nathaniel to Jesus (John 1:43-51). It was to Philip that Jesus posed the question about where to buy bread to feed five thousand men (john 6:5). During Holy Week, Philip with Andrew brought some inquiring Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22). And on Maundy Thursday, Philip asked Jesus to show the Father to him and to the rest of the disciples (john 14:8). According to tradition, Philip went to labor in Phrygia and was buried there.

St. James was a son of Alphaeus and was also called “the Younger” (to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, “the Elder”, whose feast day is July 25). His mother, Mary, was one of the faithful women who stood at the cross of Jesus (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40). James is mentioned in the same apostolic lists as Philip, but there is no other mention of him in the New Testament. There is also no information of his field of labor or the circumstances of his death, except as he may have been martyred by being sawed in two. (TDP)

Let us pray,
Almighty God, Your Son revealed Himself to Philip and James and gave them the knowledge of everlasting life. Grant us perfectly to know Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and steadfastly to walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (LSB)

Color: Red
Readings Appointed (LSB):
Isaiah 30:18-21
Psalm 36:5-12
Ephesians 2:19-22
John 14:1-14

 

May 2: Athanasius of Alexandria, Pastor & Confessor

Commemoration
Athanasius was born in Alexandria in Egypt in A.D. 295. He served as a church leader in a time of great controversy and ecclesiastical disagreements. At the Council of Nicaea in 325, he defended Christian orthodoxy against the proponents of the Arian heresy, which denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. During his 45-year tenure as bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius wrote numerous works that defended the orthodox teaching. His enemies had him exiled five times; on two occasions he was almost murdered. Yet Athanasius remained steadfast and ended his days restored fully to his church responsibilities. The Athanasian Creed, though not composed by Athanasius, is named in his honor because it confesses the doctrinal orthodoxy he championed throughout his life. (TDP)

Let us pray.
O God of truth and mercy, You upheld Your servant Athanasius to confess with boldness the catholic faith against all hostility and resistance.  Uphold Your Church that trusts solely in the grace of Your eternal Word, who took upon Himself our humanity that we might share His divinity; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (NBFC):
1 John 5:1-5
Psalm 71:1-8 or 112:1-9
Matthew 10:22-32

 

May 4: Friedrich Wyneken, Pastor & Missionary

Commemoration
Friedrich Wyneken is one of the founding fathers of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, along with C.F.W. Walther and Wilhelm Sihler. Born in 1810 in Germany, he came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1838 and shortly thereafter accepted a call to be the pastor of congregations in Friedheim and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Supported by Wilhelm Loehe’s mission society, Wyneken served as an itinerant missionary in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, particularly among Native Americans. Together with Loehe and Sihler, he founded Concordia Theological Seminary in 1846 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He later served as the second president of the LCMS during a period of significant growth (1850-64). His leadership strongly influenced the confessional character of the LCMS and its commitment to an authentic Lutheran witness. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, You want all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. We give You thanks for sending Friedrich Wyneken as missionary and pastor in Indian, Ohio, and Michigan to evangelize the Native Americans in these states; to be a founder of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne; and to serve as second president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Protect and encourage all missionaries who confess the true faith among the nations by proclaiming Christ crucified; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP) OR

Almighty and everlasting God, You blessed Your servant Friedrich Wyneken with a passion for the Gospel, inexhaustible energy, and a keen awareness of the need of the world for Your saving Word: Ever give to Your Church such clear-minded and dauntless servants who rejoice to spend themselves in Your service, that Your people may be fed with living food and know the inexhaustible riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (NBFC)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (NBFC):
Isaiah 62:1-7
Psalm 48
Romans 10:11-17
Luke 24:44-53

 

May 5: Frederick the Wise, Christian Ruler

Commemoration
Frederick the Wise, elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, was Martin Luther’s sovereign in the early years of the Reformation. Were it not for Frederick, there might not have been a Lutheran Reformation. Born in Torgau in 1463, he became so well known for his skill in political diplomacy and his sense of justice and fairness that he was called “the Wise” by his subjects. Though he never met Luther, Frederick repeatedly protected and provided for him. In all likelihood he saved the reformer from a martyr’s fate. Frederick refused the pope’s demand to extradite Luther to Rome for a heresy trial in 1518. When Emperor Charles V declared Luther an outlaw in 1521 at the Diet of Worms, Frederick provided sanctuary for Luther at the Wartburg castle. On his deathbed, Frederick received the Lord’s Supper in both kinds–a clear confession of the evangelical faith. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, You provided wisdom and skill to Frederick the Wise as elector of Saxony during the early years of the Reformation, using his rule and authority to protect Martin Luther and preserve the teaching of the Gospel. Graciously regard all Your servants who make, administer and judge the laws of this nation, and look with favor on all the rulers of the earth. Grant them wisdom and understanding that they might provide sanctuary for Your Church to continue to proclaim the true faith; for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP) OR

O God, who brought Frederick the Wise from the cares of earthly rule to the glory of a heavenly realm: Grant, we pray, that we by fulfilling our duties on earth, we may seek out Your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (DRM, alt.)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (DRM):
Isaiah 58:6-11
Psalm 112
Matthew 22:34-40

 

May 7: C.F.W. Walther, Pastor & Theologian

Commemoration
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (1811-87), the father of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, served as its first president from 1847 to 1850 and then again from 1864 to 1878. In 1839 he emigrated from Saxony, Germany, with other Lutherans, who settled in Missouri. He served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis, founded Concordia Seminary, and in 1847 was instrumental in the formation of the LCMS (then called the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States). Walther worked tirelessly to promote confessional Lutheran teaching and doctrinal agreement among all Lutherans in the United States. He was a prolific writer and speaker. Among his most influential works are Church and Ministry and The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, through Your servant C.F.W. Walther You brought Lutheran pilgrims from Germany to confess the true faith. May the priesthood of Your saints now receive the Gospel of a crucified and risen Savior in faith as they offer back to You in love and sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, for You live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP) OR

Almighty God, You gave to Your servant Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth as it is in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (NBFC):
Ezekiel 34:11-16
Psalm 84
1 Peter 5:1-4
John 21:15-17

 

May 9: Job, Old Testament Saint

Commemoration
Job was a blameless and upright man who came from Uz (Job 1:1), a land northeast of Canaan. The Book of Job examines the depths of his faith, which was severely tested through the sufferings God permitted. Despite the sudden death of his ten children and the loss of all his wealth and his health, Job refused to curse God: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (1:21). Still, in the midst of his tribulations Job questioned the meaning and purpose of suffering to the point of asserting his own righteousness (34:5-6). Finally, the Lord revealed that a man cannot know the mysteries of God (chapters 38-41). Job’s faith in his Redeemer and the resurrection prevailed (19:25-27). In the end the Lord restored his wealth and blessed him with another seven sons and three daughters. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You showed forth as blameless, just, and sanctified Your suffering prophet, the righteous Job. Through his valiant endurance and long-suffering patience, Your taught us how to live in a broken world under Your great mercy as You set us free from our sins and rescued us from the punishments we deserve, through the all-sufficient sacrifice of Your only-begotten Son, who with You and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP) OR

Almighty God, You have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of Your servant Job, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we attain to Your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (PAS):
Job 19:1-27
Psalm 130
Matthew 6:25-34

 

May 11: Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs

Commemoration
Cyril (826-69) and Methodius (c. 815-85) were brothers who came from a Greek family in Thessalonica. The younger brother took the name “Cyril” when he became a monk in 868. After ordination, Cyril became librarian at the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople. In 862 the brothers were sent by the emperor as missionaries to what is now the Czech republic, where they taught in the native Slavic tongue. Cyril invented the alphabet today know today as “Cyrillic,” which provided a written language for the liturgy and Scriptures for the Slavic peoples. This use of the vernacular established an important principle for evangelical missions. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, by the power of the Holy Spirit You moved Your servant Cyril and his brother Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to the Slavs, a people broken by hostility and division. By the love of Christ, overcome all bitterness and strife among us, and form us into one united family who live under the mercies of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (NBFC):
Ephesians 3:1-7
Psalm 96:1-7 or 98:1-4
Mark 16:15-20

 

May 21: Emperor Constantine, Christian Ruler, and Helena, Mother of Constantine

Commemoration
Constantine I served as Roman Emperor from A.D. 306 to 337. During his reign the persecution of Christians was forbidden by the Edict of Milan in 312, and ultimately the faith gained full imperial support. Constantine took an active interest in the life and teachings of the church and called the Council of Nicaea in 325 at which orthodox Christianity was defined and defended. His mother, Helena (ca. 255-329), strongly influenced Constantine. Her great interest in locating the holy sites of the Christian faith led her to become one of the first Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. Her research led to the identification of Biblical locations in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond, which are still maintained as places of worship today. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, through Your servant Constantine, Your Church flourished, and by his mother, Helena, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem became a holy place for many pilgrims. Grant to us the same zeal for Your Church and charity toward Your people, that we may be fruitful in good works and steadfast in faith. Keep us ever grateful for Your abundant provision, with our eyes fixed, as Helena’s were, on the highest and greatest treasure of all, the cross of Christ; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (PAS):
Revelation 5:1-14
Psalm 89:1-7, 14-21
John 12:23-32

 

May 24: Esther, Old Testament Saint

Commemoration
Esther is the heroine of the biblical book that bears her name. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “myrtle.” Her beauty, charm, and courage served her well as queen to King Ahasuerus. In that role she was able to save her people from the mass extermination that Haman, the king’s chief advisor, had planned (2:19–4:17). Esther’s efforts to uncover the plot resulted in the hanging of Haman on the very same gallows that he had built for Mordecai, her uncle and guardian. Then the king named Mordecai minister of state in Haman’s place. This story is an example of how God intervenes on behalf of his people to deliver them from evil, as here through Esther he preserved the Old Testament people through whom the Messiah would come. (TDP)

Let us pray.
O God, You graced Your servant Queen Esther not only with beauty and elegance but also with faith and wisdom. Grant that we, too, might use the qualities that You have generously bestowed on us for the glory of Your mighty Name and for the good of Your people, that through Your work in us, we may be advocates of the oppressed and defenders of the weak, preserving our faith in the great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (TDP)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (PAS):
Esther 4:1-17
Psalm 39
Jude 20-25
John 10:27-29

 

May 25: Bede the Venerable, Theologian

Commemoration
Bede (673-735) was the last of the early church fathers and the first to compile the history of the English church. Born in Northumbria, Bede was given by his parents to a monastery in Northern England at the age of seven. The most learned man of his time, he was a prolific writer of history, whose careful use of sources provided a model for historians in the Middle Ages. Known best for his book, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, he was also a profound interpreter of Scripture; his commentaries are still fresh today. His most famous disciple, Cuthbert, reported that Bede was working on a translation of John’s Gospel into English when death came, and that he died with the words of the Gloria Patri on his lips. He received the title “Venerable” within two generations of his death and is buried in Durham Cathedral as one of England’s greatest saints. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, You called Your servant Bede, while still a child, to devote his life to Your service in the disciplines of religion and scholarship: Grant that as he labored in the Spirit to bring the riches of Your truth to his generation, so we, in our various vocations, may strive to make You known in all the world; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (NBFC)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (NBFC):
Wisdom of Solomon (Apocrypha) 7:15-22
Psalm 78:1-4 or 19:7-14
Matthew 13:47-52

 

May 31: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Feast
John the Baptizer and Jesus, the two great figures of salvation history, now come together in the visit to Elizabeth by the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:39-45), both of whom conceived their children under miraculous circumstances. Thus John is brought into the presence of Jesus while they are still in their mothers’ wombs. This presence of the Lord causes a response by the child John as he leaps in Elizabeth’s womb. John’s response to the presence of Jesus, the Messiah, foreshadows John’s own role as forerunner. Already now, a new creation is beginning, and a baby still in the womb hails the new creation’s inception. Foreshadowed in John’s leap are the miracles of Jesus, who will cause all creation to leap at His presence: “The blind will receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them” (Luke 7:22). The incarnate presence of the Messiah also evokes a response from Elizabeth who proclaims Mary’s blessedness. Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) provides the theological significance of this meeting as Mary sums up her place in salvation history. Mary’s song is a hymn to God for His gracious gifts to the least in this world, whom He has lifted up out of lowliness solely because of grace and mercy. (TDP)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of Your Son and made known through her Your gracious regard for the poor and lowly and despised. Grant that we may receive Your Word in humility and faith, and so be made one with Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (LSB)

Color: White
Readings Appointed (LSB):
Isaiah 11:1-5
Psalm 138
Romans 12:9-16
Luke 1:39-56