For readings for today Catholic, the official source is the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at bible.usccb.org. Today, April 4, 2026, is Holy Saturday, with readings from Genesis 1:1-2:2, Psalm 104, and Matthew 28:1-10.
This day of silence precedes the Easter Vigil. Get the full text and audio from USCCB.
- USCCB is the official source for daily Catholic readings in the US, providing text, audio, and video every morning.
- The lectionary cycle for 2026 is Year A (Sundays) and Year II (weekdays), ensuring a comprehensive scripture overview over three and two years respectively.
- Vietnamese Catholics have access to specialized resources like Loichuahomnay.vn and mobile apps such as Catholic Information and Phút Cầu Nguyện.
How to Access Today’s Catholic Mass Readings
Official Sources: USCCB Daily Readings and Their 2026 Schedule
- USCCB Official Daily Readings: Available at bible.usccb.org, offering daily Bible readings, podcast audio, and videos. This is the primary source for Catholics in the US and many English-speaking countries (source: USCCB).
- Holy Saturday 2026 (April 4): The readings are Genesis 1:1-2:2 (First Reading), Psalm 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,13-14,24,35 (Responsorial Psalm), and Matthew 28:1-10 (Gospel). This day features Old Testament readings focused on salvation history (source: USCCB, Catholic.org).
- Liturgical Calendar Alignment: USCCB readings follow the official liturgical calendar, including special days like Holy Saturday, ensuring proper observance (source: USCCB).
The Catholic Missal: What Daily Readings Are Called and How to Use Them
The daily Catholic readings are part of the Mass, specifically the Liturgy of the Word. Roman Catholics use a Catholic Missal to follow along with the scripture texts during Mass.
Missals help the faithful “live and pray every day in the spirit of the liturgy” according to the Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy. A Missal contains the prayers, readings, and instructions for the Mass, making it an essential tool for participating fully in the liturgical day.
Listening Options: Audio Podcasts from USCCB and Other Platforms
- USCCB RSS Feed: Free audio of daily Mass readings, available without subscription, complying with USCCB copyright policy (source: USCCB).
- YouTube Channels: Channels like “Daily Mass Bible Readings” share daily readings with reflections, accessible globally (source: YouTube).
- Podcast Platforms: Daily readings are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms through Catholic media outlets, providing convenient on-the-go access.
Parish Bulletins: Your Local Connection to Daily Mass
Parish bulletins are a traditional way for Vietnamese Catholics to access daily readings. Local parishes often include the next day’s readings and reflections in their weekly bulletins, connecting the community to the liturgical day.
Vietnamese parishes may incorporate Proper Calendars with local saints and feasts, such as the Vietnamese Martyrs, reflecting Catholic liturgy traditions in Vietnam and making the bulletin a valuable local resource. For those without digital access, the bulletin remains a tangible link to the Church’s daily prayer.
Understanding the Lectionary Cycle: Structure and 2026 Context
Three-Year Sunday Cycle vs. Two-Year Weekday Cycle: How It Works
The Catholic lectionary organizes scripture readings into cycles to ensure a comprehensive overview of the Bible.
Sundays follow a three-year cycle (Years A, B, C), while weekdays follow a two-year cycle (Years I, II). This structure means that over three years, Sunday readings cover most of the New Testament and key Old Testament passages, and over two years, weekday readings provide additional coverage.
| Cycle Type | Duration | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday Lectionary | 3 years | Year A, Year B, Year C |
| Weekday Lectionary | 2 years | Year I, Year II |
The cycle is designed to immerse Catholics in the breadth of scripture, with each year emphasizing a particular Gospel: Year A focuses on Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke, with John interspersed throughout.
Year A and Year II: What 2026 Means for Daily Readings
In 2026, the liturgical calendar follows Year A for Sundays and Year II for weekdays. This means that from January 1, 2026, through Advent 2026, Sunday Mass readings will primarily feature passages from the Gospel of Matthew, supplemented by readings from the Old Testament and Acts.
Weekday readings in Ordinary Time will follow Year II, which includes different selections from the epistles and Gospels. This cycle ensures that Catholics hear a broad range of scripture throughout the year, deepening their understanding of the Bible.
Key Liturgical Dates in 2026: From Advent to Pentecost
The liturgical year is anchored by key feasts that shape the rhythm of Catholic worship, as defined by the Catholic calendar. In 2026, these dates fall as follows:
| Feast Day | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| First Sunday of Advent | November 30, 2025 | Start of the liturgical year; preparation for Christmas |
| Christmas | December 25, 2025 | Celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ |
| Ash Wednesday | February 18, 2026 | Beginning of Lent; 40 days of preparation for Easter |
| Easter Sunday | April 5, 2026 | Resurrection of Jesus Christ; highest feast day |
| Ascension of the Lord | May 14, 2026 | Christ’s ascension into heaven |
| Pentecost | May 24, 2026 | Descent of the Holy Spirit; end of Easter season |
These dates are fixed by the Catholic church calendar and determine the readings for each period. For example, the Easter season begins with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening and lasts 50 days until Pentecost. The liturgical year provides the framework for the daily readings, connecting each day to the broader story of salvation.
Vietnamese Catholic Digital Resources and Tools
Vietnamese-Language Websites: Loichuahomnay.vn and CBCV Resources
Vietnamese Catholics have several online sources for daily readings:
- Loichuahomnay.vn: A dedicated Vietnamese website offering daily Catholic Mass readings, prayers, and reflections, making scripture accessible in the native language.
- USCCB Vietnamese Resources: The USCCB provides materials in Vietnamese for specific occasions, such as Catechetical Sunday, supporting Vietnamese-speaking communities.
- Vatican News (Vietnamese): Offers global Catholic news and occasional liturgical content in Vietnamese, connecting Vietnamese Catholics to the universal Church.
- CBCV (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam): The official English portal for the Catholic Church in Vietnam, which may link to Vietnamese resources and the Catholic calendar for comprehensive liturgical information.
Mobile Apps for Daily Readings: Catholic Information, Phút Cầu Nguyện, and More
Smartphones have become a primary tool for staying connected to daily readings. Popular apps include:
- Catholic Information: Delivers daily readings, prayers, and reflections in Vietnamese, tailored for local devotion.
- Phút Cầu Nguyện: A prayer app that includes daily readings and facilitates short, focused prayer times.
- Vietnamese Catholic Holy Bible: Provides the full Catholic Bible in Vietnamese, allowing deeper study of the daily readings.
- Kinh Thánh Công Giáo 4.0: A comprehensive app with the Vietnamese Catholic Bible and liturgical resources, including daily Mass texts.
- Laudate and iBreviary: International apps that include daily readings, the Liturgy of the Hours, and prayers in multiple languages, useful for bilingual Catholics.
- myParish: Connects users to their local parish bulletins and announcements, often including the day’s readings and daily mass readings directly from the parish.
The New American Bible (NABRE): Official English Translation for Catholic Use
The New American Bible (NABRE) is the official English Bible translation for the Catholic Church in the United States and most English-speaking countries. It is the text used in the USCCB daily readings and lectionary. While other translations like the Douay Rheims and New Jerusalem Bible are available, NABRE is the standard for liturgical use in English.
For Vietnamese Catholics, the NABRE provides a reliable English reference, while Vietnamese-language apps use approved Vietnamese translations. Understanding the Bible version used in the lectionary helps Catholics follow the readings accurately, whether in English or Vietnamese.
The most surprising aspect of today’s liturgical day is that Holy Saturday, often overlooked, features a rich tapestry of Old Testament readings that recount salvation history from creation to the Exodus.
This day of silence and waiting culminates in the Easter Vigil, where the Church celebrates Christ’s resurrection. To stay connected daily, visit the USCCB Daily Readings page or download a recommended app like Catholic Information for Vietnamese Catholics. Make following the liturgical day a habit by checking the readings each morning.