Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Transitus of our holy father Benedict; Saint Enda (-530)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 42 Silence After Compline

Mass: For the Lenten Weekday: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab; Resp Ps 42-43; Lk 4:24-30; For the Transitus: Pv 2:1-9; Resp Ps 16; Eph 6:10-13, 18; Mt 19:27-29

Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. 

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today is a celebratory day for many who live the monastic way of life and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, especially Benedictines. It is the commemoration of the Transitus, or Passing of our holy father Benedict. Not only does Benedict instruct us to yearn for everlasting life with holy desire (Rule of Saint Benedict 4:46), he exhorts us to day by day remind ourselves that we are going to die (RB 4:49), aware that God's gaze is upon us, wherever we may be (RB 4:48-49). Let us go forth this day, on our Lenten journey, and as soon as wrongful thoughts come into our heart, may we dash them in Christ and disclose them to our spiritual father; guard our lips from wrongful or deceptive speech; prefer moderation in speech; speak no foolish chatter, nothing just to provoke laughter; and not love immoderate or boisterous laughter (RB 4:50-54). We remain united in faith and prayer, and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing (RB 49:7). May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life (RB 72:12).

From Pope Saint Gregory the Great, in Book II of the Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great, The Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict, Chapter 37: How Venerable Benedict Did Prophesy to His Monks the Time of His Own Death:

Six days before he died, [Benedict] gave orders for this tomb to be opened. Almost immediately he was seized by a violent fever that rapidly wasted his remaining energy. Each day his condition grew worse until finally, on the sixth day, he had his disciples carry him into the chapel where he received the Body and Blood of our Lord to gain strength for his approaching end. Then, supporting his weakened body on the arms of his brethren, he stood with his hands raised to heaven and, as he prayed, breathed his last.

SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT ENDA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's image: Through the hand of Brother Claude, OSB, used with permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2022