Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of April Dedicated both to Devotion to the Eucharist and Devotion to the Holy Spirit

Saints: Saint Mary of Egypt (4th-5th centuries); Saint Ceallach (1080-1129); Saint Hugh, Bishop of Grenoble (1053-1132): Saint Venantius, Bishop of Salona and Martyr (d.259)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 50 Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling

Mass: Ezk 37:21-28; Resp Ps (Jer 31); Jn 11:45-56   

Proclaim it in distant isles.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, THE MOST HIGH,

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, 

HAVE MERCY ON US.

They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area,

"What do you think? That He will come to the feast?"

(Jn 11:56)

Welcome to April, the month dedicated both to devotion to the Eucharist and devotion to the Holy Spirit. Throughout this month, we will invoke Jesus from the litany to the Holy Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit from the litany of the Holy Spirit.

So, will He come to the feast? United in faith and prayer, we go with Him and prepare to enter Holy Week.

Let us take part in the Passover prescribed by the law, not in the literal way, but according to the teaching of the Gospel; not in an imperfect way, but perfectly; not only for a time, but eternally. Let us regard as our home the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one; the city glorified by angels, not the one laid waste by armies ... let us join the choirs of angels in offering God upon His heavenly altar a sacrifice of praise ... we must sacrifice ourselves to God, each day and in everything we do, accepting all that happens to us for the sake of the Word, imitating His passion by our sufferings, and honoring His blood by shedding His own. We must be ready to be crucified.

(From a homily by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, bishop, in Office of Readings, Fifth Week of Lent, Saturday)

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

(Verse Before the Gospel, Mass)

SAINT MARY OF EGYPT,

SAINT CEALLACH,

SAINT HUGH,

SAINT VENANTIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From Wednesday morning just before 8am. They shall come streaming to the Lord's blessings.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint Balbina, Roman Matron, Foundress of the Roman Church Bearing Her Name (3rd century); Saint Benjamin, Deacon and Martyr (4th-5th century); Blessed Jane of Toulouse (13th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 49 The Observance of Lent

Mass: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Resp Ps 18; Jn 10:31-42 

I cried out to my God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, 

SUPPORT IN DIFFICULTIES,

TERROR OF DEMONS,

GUARDIAN OF THE REDEEMER,

PATRON OF THE DYING,

PRAY FOR US.

Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, 

For He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

(Jer 20:13)

During these last days of the Fifth Week of Lent as we prepare to enter Holy Week, we pray to the Lord to protect us and guide us so that we do what is needed to "look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 49:7). Yesterday, Jesus hid from those who wanted to stone Him (see Jn 8:59). Today, he escapes from the power of those who try to arrest Him (see Jn 10:39). 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. 

On this last day of March 2023, the month devoted to Saint Joseph, we turn to Pope Pius IX (1792-1878) who, on December 8, 1870, in the document Quemadmodum Deus, declared Saint Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church. We continue to pray to Saint Joseph during these still most troublesome times, when the Church is beset by enemies on every side. Saint Joseph, protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

When in these most troublesome times the Church is beset by enemies on every side ... Pope Pius IX, in order to entrust himself and all the faithful to the Patriarch Saint Joseph's most powerful patronage ... has solemnly declared him Patron of the Catholic Church.

And from Pope Saint Paul VI, in a March 27, 1969, homily on the Feast of Saint Joseph:

The Church invokes [Saint Joseph] as her Patron and Protector through her unshakeable trust that he to whom Christ willed to confide the care and protection of His own frail human childhood, will continue from heaven to perform his protective task in order to guide and defend the mystical Body of Christ Himself, which is always weak, always under attack, always in a state of peril. Finally, we call upon Saint Joseph for the world, trusting that the heart of the humble working man of Nazareth, now overflowing with immeasurable wisdom and power, still harbors and will always harbor a singular and precious fellow-feeling for the whole of mankind. So may it be.

SAINT BALBINA,

SAINT BENJAMIN,

BLESSED JANE OF TOULOUSE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: My cry to Him reached His ears.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint John Climacus, or Saint John the Ladder (579-649); Blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy (1435-1472)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:22-25 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass: Gn 17:3-9; Resp Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59  

Look to the Lord in His strength.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MAN OF FAITH,

PRAY FOR US.

Whoever keeps my word will never see death.

(Jn 8:51)

Today's optional "Prayer over the People," is one response to the word proclaimed by Saint John. Bow and bend low to hear and be blessed ...

Be gracious to your people, Lord, we pray,

that, as from day to day they reject what does not please you,

they may be filled instead with delight at your commands.

Through Christ our Lord.

May God be gracious to us so that we keep His word and delight in His commands, no matter what. 

I think the difference between me and some people is that I'm content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make a change. But if each one would light a candle, we would have a tremendous light.*

(Servant of God Thea Bowman, 1937-1990)

Keep going, faithful readers, and do your little bit today. Thank you for being there.

SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT OF SINAI,

BLESSED AMADEUS IX OF SAVOY,

SERVANT OF GOD THEA BOWMAN,

PRAY FOR US.

*From a May 1987 60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace.

Today's photo: Early yesterday morning in the garden. This happy flower is in honor of one of our saints of the day, Blessed Amadeus IX, Duke of Savoy, who was nicknamed the Happy. Among other notables, the Happy was a particular protector of the Franciscan friars and endowed other religious houses as well as homes caring for the poor and suffering. So says Wikipedia; it's good enough for me.  May the Happy intercede for us. Seek to serve Him constantly.

©. Gertrude Feick 2023

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Disciple of Jesus Christ; Saint Eustasius, Bishop of Naples (3rd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:10-21 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass:  Dn 3:14-20; 91-91, 95; Resp Ps (Dn 3); Jn 8:31-42 

Blessed is your holy and glorious name.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, PATRON OF EXILES,

PRAY FOR US.

Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent His angel to deliver the servants who trusted in Him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

(Dn 3:95)

No matter how hot the furnace gets today, trust in the Lord, and serve Him. Remain in His word and you will truly be His disciples; you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (see Jn 8:31ff). 

Thanks to a faithful reader who sent greetings the other day along with a bit about walking and praying on one's knees, I was led to something I read recently. From two late pontiffs, then: 

.

Man is never so great as when he is kneeling.

(Pope Saint John XXIII)

Pope Benedict XVI had this to say about kneeling:

The attitude of kneeling ought never to be allowed to disappear from the Church. It is the most impressive physical expression of Christian piety, by which, on one hand, we remain upright, looking out, gazing upon Him, but, on the other, we nonetheless bow down.*

At the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, every tongue confess Him, king of glory now ...

SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA,

SAINT EUSTASIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

* Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald (Ignatius, 2002), pp. 409-410.

Today's photo: I found these sweet little ones outside the kitchen yesterday morning while on kitchen duty. The God of our fathers.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Pope Saint Sixtus III (d.440); Saint Castor, Martyr of Tarso 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass: Nb 21:4-9; Resp Ps 102; Jn 8:21-30

O Lord, hear my prayer.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, FAITHFUL GUIDE,

PRAY FOR US.

But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses ...

(Nb 21:4-5)

Instead of complaining about what may come our way today, why not go this way: "Armed with God's justice and power, let us prove ourselves through patient endurance.* Amen.

That's what humility means-learning to accept disappointments and even defeat as God-sent, learning to persevere and carry on with peace of heart and confidence in God, secure in the knowledge that something worthwhile is being accomplished precisely because God's will is at work in our life and we are doing our best to accept and follow it ...

(Servant of God Walter J. Ciszek, S.J., from He Leadeth Me, in Magnificat, March 28, 2023, "Meditation of the Day," p. 414)

POPE SAINT SIXTUS III,

SAINT CASTOR, MARTYR OF TARSO,

PRAY FOR US.

*Liturgy of the Hours, Daytime Prayer, Midafternoon Antiphon.

Today's photo: This one seemed fitting for our Lenten journey. Patience, people ... Joshua Tree National Par,

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint John of Egypt (304-394); Saint Rupert, Bishop of Salzburg (d.c.710)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 47 Announcing the Hours for the Work of God

Mass: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62; Resp Ps 23; Jn 8:1-11  

All the days of my life.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MODEL OF WORKERS,

PRAY FOR US.

They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments.

(Dn 13:9)

Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.

(Jn 8:7)

Welcome to Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent. Holy Week is coming soon. I love the first reading from the Book of Daniel. Read it out loud - it is packed! I am busy today passing along voices from here and there, all related. As I have said before, O the beauty and gift of our tradition of faith. United in faith and prayer, we march on. Keep going! Pray to your patron saint today.

Being incapable of acknowledging guilt is the most dangerous form of spiritually arrested development one can imagine because this in particular makes people incapable of improvement.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

Our high priest is Christ Jesus, our sacrifice is His precious body which He immolated on the altar of the cross for the salvation of all people ...

All who have embarked on true contrition and penance for sins they have committed, and are firmly resolved not to commit sins again for the future but to persevere constantly in that pursuit of virtues which they have now begun, all these become sharers in this holy and eternal sacrifice.

(From a commentary on the psalms by Saint John Fisher, bishop and martyr, in Office of Readings, Monday, Fifth Week of Lent)

Go, and from now on do not sin any more.

(Jn 8:11)

SAINT JOHN OF EGYPT,

SAINT RUPERT,

SAINT MARIA ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is the bud you saw last Thursday. My cup overflows.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Fifth Sunday of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

In other years: Saint Castulus, Early Christian Martyr on the Via Labicana near Rome

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 46 Faults Committed in Other Matters

Mass: Ezk 37:12-14; Resp Ps 130; Rm 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US. 

Our friend Lazarus is asleep, but I am going to awaken Him.

(Jn 1:11)

Welcome to the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Since yesterday, I have been thinking about sleeping, death, and living a life of mediocrity. There are various ways in which we walk around sleeping, like zombies, immune to this or that, enclosed in the little boxes that we have constructed for ourselves, and even worse, the little boxes that others have enclosed us in, or think they have enclosed us in. This just won't do for people of faith and hope. Keep going, faithful readers, and break the chains that bind you in one way or another. Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light (Eph 5:14). Through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, may our faith and hope in Jesus be strengthened, especially in moments of greater trial and difficulty. Amen.

If the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through His Spirit dwelling in you.

(Rm 8:11)

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY, AND LAZARUS,

SAINT PAUL,

SAINT CASTULUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From last Friday morning, a marvel spotted while on kitchen duty. That You may be revered. 

© Gertrude Feic 2023