March 2026

Jubilee Year of Saint Francis on the 800th Anniversary of His Death 

March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Come, share your master's joy.

JOSEPH MOST STRONG,

MARY, MOTHER MOST ADMIRABLE,

SAINT FRANCIS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear faithful readers, hold on to your hat it is already March. However, March is a glorious month dedicated to Saint Joseph. O dear Joseph, mirror of patience, pray for us. Before we commemorate faithful and prudent Saint Joseph on the 19th, we warm up with Saint Patrick on the 17th, the day when everybody is Irish. Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord is set for March 29, with Holy Week to follow. 

The weather in these parts has been here, there, and everywhere. If I recall correctly, we were hit by 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period not so many days ago. And there was some snow not so many days ago too. Then there were some days of sun. Raining now as I write, it is humid and the daffodils have risen. Did I mention my banana slug sighting, and a little lizard sighting too? 

We find ourselves continuing on the Lenten journey. How is it going so far? Sometimes, with all our worthwhile intentions, we stumble early, ready to give up. Thanks be to God, our merciful Lord is ready. He holds out His hand to keep us from falling or pick us up if we have fallen. Just ask Our Lord for help. And while you are at it, ask His Mother too. She will wrap you in her protective veil. 

Now is the time to make an effort to be kind and compassionate to our neighbors, to those with whom we live, and work, and play, and bump into when we might prefer not to. We never know what people are coming from or going to. In fact, we never know the whole story about someone else. Ever. One of the best classes I ever had the privilege of taking was Pastoral Counseling, still taught by the same well-respected priest and psychologist. These words, as well as many others, remain: "You can try to walk in someone else's shoes, but remember, you will never walk in someone else's shoes." I just opened my copy of Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, renderings by Daniel Ladinsky. Here is a rendition of words attributed to Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380).

VULNERABLE

Vulnerable we are, like an infant.

We need each other's care

or we will

suffer.

Somehow, I think that is enough of an offering from my end. Or at least, there is plenty for me to reflect on this month. As far as our voices, they will come from here and there. After we hear a word or two, there is another long list of powerful saints to invoke, including Saint Vignal and Saint Duthac. 

To enter eternal life requires listening to Jesus, following Him on the way to the cross, carrying in our heart like Him the hope of the Resurrection.

(Pope Benedict XVI, 1927-2022)

I want nothing more than for my own will to be completely immersed in God's will. There is no greater pain than that of having offended Him , and thereby having wasted the time that He gave me to love and serve Him ... I am well aware that everything is for God, and that I can please Him with everything I do.

(Saint Maria Maravillas of Jesus, 1891-1974)

I will hear what the Lord God will speak within me, says a devout soul. Blessed is that soul who hears the Lord speaking within, and from His lips receives the words of comfort.

(Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471, The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 2)

It is useless to spend much time in talking; only a holy life and good conscience will ease your mind and satisfy your soul, enabling you to face God with confidence.

(Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471, The Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 1)

In the preaching of the Gospel all should receive a strengthening of their faith. No one should be ashamed of the cross of Christ, through which the world has been redeemed.

(From a sermon by Pope Saint Leo the Great, d. 461)

You were made in the image of God. If then you wish to resemble Him, follow His example. Since the very name you bear as Christians is a profession of love for men, imitate the love of Christ.

(From a homily by Saint Asterius of Amasea, bishop, d. 410)

I know you don't command the impossible. You know very well that never would I be able to love others as you love them, unless you, O my Jesus, loved them in me. Your will is to love in me all those you command me to love.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux, 1873-1897)

Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after victory, or strives except against an enemy or temptations.

(From a commentary on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop, 354-430)

I ask you, my Lord, to feed me with your sweet grace, strengthen me with your pure love, surround me with your boundless mercy, and embrace me with your pure truth.

(Blessed Margaret Ebner, 1291-1351)

Yes, life is a treasure-each moment an eternity, an eternity of joy in heaven, an eternity of seeing God face to face, of being one with Him! There is only Jesus who is; all the rest is not. Let us love Him, then, unto folly; let us save souls for Him.

(Saint Therese of Lisieux)

You, Lady, are my all. In your hands has been stored for me the fulness of all good. With you have been hidden the unfailing treasures of truth and grace, of peace and pity, of salvation and wisdom, of glory and honor. You are my anchor amid the billows, comfort in grief. You are, for those who are yours, aid in oppression, help in time of crisis, temperance in prosperity, joy in time of waiting, refreshment in toil. Whatsoever I can stammer in your praise is less than your praise, for you are worthy of all praise. Yet am I bound to praise you.

(Adam of Perseigne, 1145-1221)

The lover of God never knows the words "too much." Those who accuse others of loving God or religion too much really do not love God at all, nor do they know the meaning of love.

(Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL,

SAINT VIGNAL,

SAINT CASIMIR,

SAINT KIERAN,

POPE SAINT LUCIUS I, MARTYR,

SAINT PERPETUA AND FELICITY,

SAINT DAVID,

SAINT CHAD,

BLESSED CHARLES THE GOOD, COUNT OF FLANDERS,

SAINT JOHN OF GOD,

SAINT SENAN, BISHOP,

SAINT DUTHAC,

SAINT FELIX,

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

SAINT JOHN OGILVIE,

SAINT AENGUS,

SAINT CONSTANTINE,

BLESSED JOHN ANNE,

SAINT PATRICK, BISHOP, MISSIONARY,

SAINT CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT EDWARD THE MARTYR,

SAINT ENDA,

SAINT DEOGRATIAS,

SAINT NICHOLAS OWEN,

SAINT TURIBIUS OF MONGROVEJO,

SAINT MACARTAN,

SAINT JOHN OF EGYPT,

PRAY FOR US.

This month's photo: Joseph, being a just man ... 

© Gertrude Feick 2026