Daily readings

Friday, May 22, 2026

Saint Rita of Cascia. Eastertide. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Rita of Cascia

TypeOptional Memorial

SeasonEastertide

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Friday May 22, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Friday May 22, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 25:13b-21, psalm Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 21:15-19.

What is the Gospel for Friday May 22, 2026?

The Gospel for Friday May 22, 2026 is John 21:15-19. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Friday May 22, 2026?

The psalm for Friday May 22, 2026 is Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Friday May 22, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Acts 25:13b-21

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

25:13And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to salute Festus.

14And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix.

15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests, and the leaders of the Jews, came to me, desiring condemnation against him.

16To whom I answered: It is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present, and have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge.

17When therefore they were come here, without any delay, on the day following, sitting in the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought.

18Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of things which I thought ill of:

19But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20I therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.

21But Paul appealing to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.

2

Psalm

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

103:1For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.

2Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he has done for you.

11For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he has strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.

12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.

19The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.

20Bless the Lord, all you his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.

3

Gospel

John 21:15-19

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

21:15When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest you me more than these? He says to him: Yea, Lord, you know that I love you. He says to him: Feed my lambs.

16He says to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest you me? He says to him: Yea, Lord, you know that I love you. He says to him: Feed my lambs.

17He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest you me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest you me? And he said to him: Lord, you know all things: you know that I love you. He said to him: Feed my sheep.

18Truly, truly I say to you, when you were younger, you did gird yourself, and did walk where you would. But when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and lead you whither you would not.

19And this he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said this, he says to him: Follow me.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

1

First Reading

Acts 25:13b-21

In Eastertide, the first reading usually comes from Acts of the Apostles so the Church stays close to the witness of the risen Lord and the life of the early Church.

2

Psalm

Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

3

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

4

Gospel

John 21:15-19

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

5

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Friday May 22, 2026?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.