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