Daily readings

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Saturday of the 7th week of Easter. Eastertide. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaturday of the 7th week of Easter

TypeWeekday

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 Saturday May 23, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Saturday May 23, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 28:16-20, 30-31, psalm Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel John 21:20-25.

What is the Gospel for Saturday May 23, 2026?

The Gospel for Saturday May 23, 2026 is John 21:20-25. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Saturday May 23, 2026?

The psalm for Saturday May 23, 2026 is Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7. 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 Saturday May 23, 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 28:16-20, 30-31

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.

28:16And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.

17And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brothers and sisters, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was rescued prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;

18Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;

19But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.

20For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

30And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,

31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

2

Psalm

Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7

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.

11:4In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get you away from from here to the mountain like a sparrow?

5For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed.

7For, lo, the evil have bent their bow; they have prepared their arrows in the quiver; to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.

3

Gospel

John 21:20-25

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.

21:20Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said: Lord, who is the one who will betray you?

21Him therefore when Peter had seen, he says to Jesus: Lord, and what shall this man do?

22Jesus says to him: So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to you? follow you me.

23This saying therefore went abroad among the brothers and sisters, that that disciple should not die. And Jesus did not say to him: He should not die; but, So I will have him to remain till I come, what is it to you?

24This is that disciple who gives teaching of these things, and has written these things; and we know that his teaching is true.

25But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

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 28:16-20, 30-31

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 11:4, 5 and 7

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 21:20-25

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 Saturday May 23, 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.