Carmel teaches
the Church how to pray.
-Pope Francis & Pope Benedict XV
Fifth Sunday
of Easter
May 3, 2026
The Gospel Reading
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father's house, there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
So that where I am, you also may be.
Where I am going, you know the way."
Thomas said to him,
"Master, we do not know where you are going;
How can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him,
"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."
Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you, I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father."
—John 14:1-12
Pope Leo:
A Call for Peace
On Easter Sunday, Pope Leo invited the faithful around the world to join him in a prayer vigil for peace, held on April 11, at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Whether individually or as a community, this was an opportunity for each local Church to unite in solidarity with the universal Church to pray for peace in our world.
The Carmelites now invite you to join in the prayer of a Litany for Peace. May this litany serve as a spiritual bookend to your mornings and evenings, uniting us all in a shared plea for peace.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us.
Saint Joseph
Pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Pray for us.
Saint Michael
Pray for us.
Saint Rita of Cascia
Pray for us.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Pray for us.
Saint Claire of Assisi
Pray for us.
Saint Catherine of Sienna
Pray for us.
Saint John of the Cross
Pray for us.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Pray for us.
Saint Thomas More
Pray for us.
Saint John XXIII
Pray for us.
Saint Oscar Romero
Pray for us.
For an end to the war in Ukraine
Lord, hear our prayer.
For an end to the war in Iran and the Middle East
Lord, hear our prayer.
For an end to conflicts in Myanmar and Venezuela
Lord, hear our prayer.
For peace in our streets
Lord, hear our prayer.
For an end to the arms race
Lord, hear our prayer.
For peace in our time
Lord, hear our prayer.
Jesus, Son of the living God.
Lord, we ask you hear our prayer.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You sent your only Son to
bring peace and salvation.
Make us more worthy of
his sacrifice and transform us
into messengers of peace.
Hear the prayers of your people
and in your mercy,
answer them.
Amen.
El papa León:
un llamamiento a la paz
El Domingo de Pascua, el Papa León invitó a los fieles de todo el mundo a unirse a él en una vigilia de oración por la paz, celebrada el 11 de abril en la basílica de San Pedro.
Ya fuera a título individual o como comunidad, fue una oportunidad para que cada Iglesia local se uniera en solidaridad con la Iglesia universal para rezar por la paz en nuestro mundo.
Las carmelitas los invitan ahora a unirse a la oración de una letanía por la paz:
Señor, ten piedad.
Señor, ten piedad.
Cristo, ten piedad.
Cristo, ten piedad
eñor, ten piedad.
Señor, ten piedad.
Santa Marı́a, Madre de Dios
Ruega por nosotros.
San José
Ruega por nosotros.
San Pedro y San Pablo
Ruega por nosotros.
San Miguel
Ruega por nosotros.
Santa Rita de Cascia
Ruega por nosotros.
Francisco de Asís
Ruega por nosotros.
Santa Clara de Asís
Ruega por nosotros.
Santa Catalina de Siena
Ruega por nosotros.
San Juan de la Cruz
Ruega por nosotros.
Santa Teresíta de Lisieux
Ruega por nosotros.
San Tomás More
Ruega por nosotros.
San Juan XXIV
Ruega por nosotros.
San Oscar Romero
Ruega por nosotros.
Por el fin de la guerra en Ucrania
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Por el fin de la guerra en Irán y Oriente Medio
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Por el fin de los conflictos en Myanmar y Venezuela
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Por la paz en nuestras calles
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Para poner fin a la carrera de armamentos
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Por la paz durante nuestra era
Señor, escucha nuestra oración.
Jesús, Hijo del Dios viviente.
Señor, te pedimos: escucha nuestra oración.
Cristo, oyenos.
Cristo, oyenos.
Cristo, escúchanos.
Cristo, escúchanos.
Oración final:
Padre celestial,
tú enviaste a tu Híjo unigénito para
traer a mundo la paz
y la salvación.
Haznos más dignos de su sacrificio
y conviértenos un mensajeros de su paz.
Escucha las oraciones de tu pueblo y,
en tu misericordia, respóndelas.
Por Cristo Nuestro Señor.
Amén.
Hymn of the Month
Credits
Text and Music: Rory Cooney, b. 1952. Copyright 1984 Spirit & Song, a division of OCP.
Vocals: Steven Begert-Clark.
Piano: Benjamín Aguilar, O.Carm.
Viola: Briana Bandy.
Produced by: Julian Pardo.
Prayer Intention of
Pope Leo for May 2026
That everyone might have food
Let us pray that everyone,
from large producers to small consumers,
be committed to avoid wasting food,
and to ensure that
everyone has access to quality food.
Pray with the Pope:
Monthly Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord of creation,
You gave us the fertile earth and, with it, our daily bread,
as a sign of Your love and providence.
Today we recognize with sorrow
that millions of brothers and sisters continue to suffer from hunger,
while so many goods are wasted at our tables.
Awaken in us a new awareness:
that we learn to thank for every food,
to consume simply,
to share with joy,
and to care for the fruits of the earth as a gift from You,
destined for all, not just a few.
Good Father,
make us capable of transforming the logic of selfish consumption
into a culture of solidarity.
May our communities promote concrete gestures:
awareness campaigns, food banks,
and a sober and responsible lifestyle.
You who sent us
Your beloved Son Jesus,
broken bread for the life of the world,
give us a new heart, hungry for justice and thirsty for fraternity.
May no one be excluded from the common table,
and may Your Spirit teach us to see bread
not as an object of consumption,
but as a sign of communion and care.
Amen.
– Pope Leo
The Rosary
Pray the Rosary
in English and Spanish
with the Carmelites here
or on SoundCloud.
Rece el Rosario
en inglés y español
con los Carmelitas aquí
o en SoundCloud.
Iconography
Praying with Spiritual Icons is an ancient practice still used by Eastern Rite Catholics and the Orthodox Church today. Icons present holy images and symbols that invite us to a still, contemplative space, deepening our connection with God. The Icons in our videos are intended to enhance the experience of praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Many of the Icons we use are written by Carmelite friars. New Icons will appear beginning in the Third Week of Ordinary Time and thereafter, changing through the different liturgical seasons of the Church. We will do our best to briefly explain the symbols found in these icons and list resources for users who wish to learn more about the tradition of this sacred art form.
If praying with Icons interests you, here is a link to a guide that might be helpful.
Additional Reading
”Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons “
by Henri JM Nouwen
”Praying with Icons “
by Jim Forrest
”The Open Door “
by Frederica Mathewes-Green
“The Nativity”
Written by
Filiberto Oregel, O. Carm.
“Christ the Pantocrator”
Written by
Daryl Moresco, O. Carm.
“Christ of the Gospels”
Written by
Filiberto Oregel, O. Carm.
“Certainly, I find that the starting point for prayer
has to be a brief moment
of self-awareness:
an acknowledgment of how
I find myself right then —
peaceful…
troubled…
restless…
joyous…
preoccupied…
angry…
questioning…
Whatever the mood,
this is what I bring to prayer…[.]”
“Upon This Mountain: Prayer in the Carmelite Tradition”
by Mary McCormack, OCD.
Copyright 2009, Teresian Press