Daily TV Mass Wednesday April 22, 2026

Fr. Peter Turrone - celebrant
Deacon Mike Walsh - homilist

Transcript

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From the St. Ignatius Chapel at the Manresa Jesuit Spiritual Renewal Center in Pickering, Ontario. The National Catholic Broadcasting Council presents the Daily TV Mass.

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Welcome to the celebration of the Daily TV Mass. I'm Father Peter Turone, and today our homelist is Deacon Mike Walsh. The televising of this Mass is made possible by the contributions from two donors. The first is Ray Vall from Kitchener, Ontario, in loving remembrance of Joan Vall, a beloved wife and mother, and a gifted lady who shared her talents so generously. The second is Anthony Tse from Silver Spring, Maryland, in memory of Mishu and Sharnee. Our thanks to our donors for the gift of this Mass. Today we pray for vocations to the permanent diaconate and to sacramental marriage. Deacons serve at the altar, proclaim the word, and extend Christ's charity through works of mercy in the world. The wives of deacons support this vocation with prayer of sacrifice and partnership, playing an important role in sustaining their husbands' ministry. Married couples reflect Christ's love for the church and their faithful union, raising families as domestic churches and witnessing holiness in everyday life. Both callings demand generous service, mutual support, and deep trust in God. Let us pray for those discerning these paths, for the deacons who serve with dedication, for the wives and the widows of deacons, and for the married couples living their vows as a road to holiness. Let us now turn to Blessed Mary with our prayer for vocations.

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Blessed Mary, Mother of the Church and Mother of Vocations, we turn to you as we seek to follow your son's call. In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, guide us to become pilgrims of hope, embracing our vocations as journeys of love and service. Intercede for us that we may respond generously to God's invitation, trusting in his providence and sharing his light with all. Amen.

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We now begin the daily TV Mass praying for those discerning the diacon intermarriage and for all deacons, their wives, and married couples faithfully serving today. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Lord be with you.

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Amen with your Holy Spirit.

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Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy. Let us pray. Be present to your family, O Lord, we pray, and graciously ensure those you have endowed with the gift of grace an eternal share in the resurrection of your only begotten Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

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A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. On the day that Stephen was killed, a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house, dragging off both men and women. Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits crying with loud shrieks came out of many who were possessed, and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city. The word of the Lord.

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Say to God love your days Lord Holy Glory to God, we should sing praises too.

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And with your spirit. After Jesus had fed the crowd with the five loaves, he said to the people, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you, I said to you, that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and any one who comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life. And I will raise them up on the last day. The Gospel of the Lord. So I'd like to take just a moment before I really get started to express my gratitude to everyone here in the Daily TV Mass community. We've been praying all week as a community for vocations. And I want to thank you, the 100,000, 150,000 people that join each day, and in a special way, thank those who took time to send us prayer intentions for those that are discerning or living their vocation. Our gospel today really is a tremendous reminder that at the center of everything we do is Jesus Christ, who is our the bread of life, who really is the one who came and showed us that this is the way. And when we talk about vocations, it really is about discerning the way in which we want to be with Christ doing his work here on earth. And so I've been asked to talk about two things. One is marriage, and the other is the diaconate, the permanent diaconate. And as I was reflecting on this, it occurred to me how amazing it is that, and really what a miracle it is to find someone to share your life with. Out of the billions of people that are on earth and circumstances, how come this one person came into your life in a certain way? And I was thinking about that because I've dealt a lot with young people as they're preparing for marriage and those kinds of things, and I love to hear their stories. And my own story is a little bit like that. I met my wife really because I decided at one point to coach my brother's hockey team, and she was always there at the arena for whether it's a practice or a game, and I thought, here's one, she's beautiful, and she loves hockey. How perfect could this be? So I got the courage to ask her out on a date, and she said yes, and that uh date took place about 53 years ago, and we're still together. Now, during that period of time, I learned that she actually hates hockey, but that's okay, right? But uh uh, and we're about to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. And it occurs to me, and again when I talk to young people, that many weddings take place during what I heard once called a period of temporary insanity. And that temporary insanity is romantic love, right? Where you think everything is going to be perfect. But when I would talk to these young people, I would say at the end of our time together, I said, I can guarantee you one thing, that your marriage will be trouble-free. And this big smile would come on their face, and I would say, Yeah, the trouble will be at no additional charge. It will just come, right? Because life is full of these challenges. We were married very young, we moved 2,000 miles away, we were all by ourselves, and yeah, marriage was a big change, but it was nothing compared to that day we brought my son home from the hospital, just the two of us, we put him down on the bed and we looked at him and we said, Um, what are we gonna do now? Right? It was almost like you had to grow up in a very moment. But it was the birth of my son with my when we decided to actually have him baptized, which is why when I do baptism, I see these young people come, this little child. This is a moment to get reconnected with your faith. And that's what happened to us. So our son was baptized, we finally moved back home, and at that moment we uh we really started to re-engage with the great gift our parents had given us, which is our faith. And it's then that I really came to realize why marriage is a sacrament. You see, it's much more than just a commitment, it's this idea that you're going to put Jesus Christ in the center of your of your um of your life together. And if you can do that, it's going to help when these troubles come. And so the young couples, what I give them at the end, I said, if you really want to be here 50 years from now, say if it's their wedding, I was doing their wedding, here's a card. And all you have to do, and I will guarantee you, if you're still living, right, both of you, 50 years from now you can be here celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. And on that card was just 2 Corinthians, and many of them have selected this as their reading anyway. And I said, this is really what love is. Right? St. Paul tells us this. If you just read this every day, put it in your wallet, your purse, up on your mirror, read it and live it every day, 50 years from now you'll still be together. Because it says that love is always patient. But it what it doesn't say, but what it implies, what St. Paul implies, even when the other person deserves no patience. Love is kind even when the other person is not particularly kind to you. And he, love is not jealous or boastful. Why? Because this kind of love is based on trust. It's not arrogant or rude, and does not insist on its own. Why? Why? Because it's centered on the other person, not on you. And it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. So live that. Then your marriage will actually have Christ at the center. And then so we uh our journey continued. We got involved with marriage encounter, then the RCIA, and out of the RCIA, I decided, and with my wife's help, to look at the diaconate. And the diaconate, you see, the permanent diaconate, if the man is married, is never an individual calling. It's a true partnership between the husband and the wife. And on Sunday we had the story of the road to Emmaus. It's my favorite story, actually. And in the Mass, you will see the icon that comes up that's actually a depiction of the road to Emmaus story, the breaking of the bread. Because you see the two disciples walking with Christ in the center. And that is how you actually move forward. And that's what the diaconate was about for us. It was the two of us. Because it's a sacrifice. It's a sacrifice just like we see in the first reading that we've been hearing this week about Saint Stephen, the Acts of the Apostles, that he then dedicated his life to the service to the poor in the community, and he ultimately paid with his life. And then after four years of formation, an unexpected twist as the Holy Spirit led me to go and meet with uh Reverend Harry, who was the community chaplain for Corrections Canada, and I didn't think this is what I wanted to do, but then I spent 20 years, my wife and I, in ministry with ex-convicts trying to re-establish their lives, and with this big group of volunteers that we became very, very blessed to be involved with. And so it's just an openness. Because you see, vocations are not always predictable, are they? They unfold step by step if we are open to listening to the voice of God in our lives, whether it's marriage, the permanent theaconite, or any of the other callings that we have been exploring this week. It's all about walking together with Christ. And you see, at the end of every Mass, when the deacon is present, when I'm here, he has this privilege of proclaiming the dismissal. And one of the options is go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. It's the only one I've ever used. And every homily I give actually has as its ending this particular line in one way or another. Because you see, the reality of the vocation of every Christian, isn't it, to leave this place right here where we have celebrated and be fed by the Eucharist, to go back to our families, our work, our communities, serving others, and that's how we glorify the Lord by the way we live. And sometimes, if it is God's will, we do this journey together with a partner. God bless. So please join me now for our prayers of the faithful. Today we celebrate the vocations of the permanent deacons who serve at the altar and in the world, and married couples whose love mirrors Christ's love for the church. May families and deacons continue to be a source of service, witness, and holiness. For all those named in the Daily TV Mass Prayer Intentions book, especially those submitted for prayers for vocations, may God strengthen them in discernment and fill them with courage. We pray to the Lord.

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Lord, hear our prayer.

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For vocations to the permanent diaconate and to sacramental marriage, that deacons may serve faithfully and married couples live their vows as paths to holiness and family life. We pray to the Lord. And for the month of April, our community prays that all who are burdened by grief or discouragement may be uplifted by the light of the risen Christ and renewed in hope. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Blessed Mary, mother of families and of service, hear our prayers for deacons and married couples. Carry them forward to your son, and that their lives may radiate his love in service and unity. Amen.

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Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands, will become for us the bread of life. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. For through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you. Fruit of the vine, the work of human hands, you'll become our spiritual drink. Please in deal Lord God. Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may always find delight in these paschal mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord.

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Amen.

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The Lord be with you.

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And with your spirit.

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Lift up your hearts.

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We lift them up to the Lord.

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Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

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Jesus Christ is just.

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It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, at all times to acclaim you, O Lord, but in this time above all to lodge you more gloriously when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. For he is the true Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world. By dying he has destroyed our death, and by rising restored our life. Therefore, overcome with Paschal joy, every land, every people exalts in your praise, and even the heavenly powers with the angelic hosts sing together the unending hymn of your glory as they acclaim.

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Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of host, have a job of your glory.

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Make holy, therefore, these gifts we pray by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewful, so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his passion. He took bread and giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, all of you, and eat of it. For this is my body, which will be given up for you. In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and once more giving thanks, he gave it to his. Disciples saying, Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is a chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

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We proclaim your death all Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again.

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Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your church spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo, our Pope, and Francis, our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy. Welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, will bless Joseph, her spouse, with the blessed apostles and all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him and with him and in him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.

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Amen.

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At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil. Graciously grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory of your now and forever. Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church, and graciously grant your peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always.

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And with your spirit. Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

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Have mercy.

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Behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

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Please join me now in this act of spiritual communion. My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this holy sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things, and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul, so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.

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Let us pray. Hear, O Lord, our prayers that this most holy exchange by which you have redeemed us may bring your help in this present life and ensure for us eternal gladness through Christ our Lord.

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Amen.

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The Lord be with you.

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Amen with you.

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May Almighty God bless you. Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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Amen. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. Thanks be to God.

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Our thanks to our donors for the gift of this Mass.