Friday of the First Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955); Saint Vignal (c.460-532)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 26 Unauthorized Association with the Excommunicated

Mass: Ezk 18:21-28; Resp Ps 130; Mt 5:20-26

My soul waits for the Lord.

 MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, SERVANT OF CHRIST,

PRAY FOR US.

But if the wicked, turning away from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life ... he shall surely live, he shall not die.

(Ezekiel 18:27-28)

With our words from the Prophet of Ezekiel today, we are immersed in Saint Benedict's chapters (Ch 23-30) on the penal code. We take responsibility for and acknowledge our sins during this holy season of Lent. Our loving and merciful God does not derive pleasure from the death of the wicked. Instead, He rejoices when the wicked turns from his evil that he may live (see Ezk 18:22-23). Thankfully, God has a short memory along with a great deal of patience. In the midst of the daily temptations and struggles, we are united in faith and prayer, and choose life. Let love for him be reaffirmed, and let all pray for him (Rule of Saint Benedict, 27:4)

At the same time, we have the privilege of commemorating Saint Katharine Drexel, a Philadelphia heiress who abandoned her family's fortune to found the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a congregation dedicated to serving impoverished Native American and blacks while helping them to acquire education and grow in the faith. Saint Katharine was the second American born person ever to be canonized. She was canonized along with Saint Josephine Bakhita and 121 others, 120 of them Martyrs of China, by Pope Saint John Paul in 2000.*

With great courage [Saint Katharine Drexel] placed her confidence in the Lord and gave her life and wealth totally to His service ...

May the example of St. Katharine Drexel be a beacon of light and hope inspiring all of us to make an even greater gift of our time, talent and treasure for the benefit of those most in need.

(Address of the Holy Father John Paul II to the Pilgrims Who Have Come to Rome for the Canonization of New Saints, October 2, 2000)

SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL,

SAINT VIGNAL,

PRAY FOR US.

*For more on Saint Katharine Drexel see the website for the National Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in Philadelphia, www.saintkatharinedrexelshrine.com. For one, you will find a nice 20ish-minute documentary on her life, "Saint Katharine Drexel: The Holy Heiress," aired March 23, 2019. St. Katharine's sacred remains were transferred to the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia August 2, 2018; a new tomb was solemnly installed in November of the same year. For a nice summary of her life, see Catholic News Agency, "St. Katharine Drexel."

Today's photo: That you may be revered.

© Gertrude Feick 2023