Holy Week

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

April is the month dedicated to the Divine Mercy

By His wounds we are healed. 

DIVINE MERCY, INSPIRING HOPE AGAINST ALL HOPE,

I TRUST IN YOU.

OUR LADY OF SORROWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

And to strengthen Him an angel from heaven appeared to Him.

(Luke 22:43)

Welcome to Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord and our entrance into Holy Week 2025. 

You ask, "Why, why, why?" and rightly so. Look at the cross, venerate it, embrace it in your prayer. Jesus had to go through darkness, pain, and death so as to give meaning to our darkness, our pain, and our death. But more than this: suffering and death become friends because through them we have received new life which will be ours now and after death, and for always.

(Cardinal Basil Hume, The Mystery of the Cross)

For our reflection this Holy Week, here are the Communion Antiphons for each day. When was the last time you prayed with a Communion Antiphon? 

Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

(Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord)

Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress. 

Turn your ear towards me; on the day I call, speedily answer me.

(Monday of Holy Week)

God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all.

(Tuesday of Holy Week)

The Son did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

(Wednesday of Holy Week)

I will sing for ever of your mercies, O Lord, through all ages my mouth will proclaim your fidelity.

(Chrism Mass)

This is the Body that will be given up for you; this is the Chalice of the new covenant in my Blood, says the Lord, do this, whenever you receive it, in memory of me.

(Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper)

And for Friday, the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, the verse before the Gospel.

Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because us this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every other name.

We continue to "look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing" (RB 49:7) and pray:

O God, who in this season

give your Church the grace

to imitate devoutly the Blessed Virgin Mary

in contemplating the Passion of Christ,

grant, we pray, through her intercession,

that we cling more firmly each day

to Your only Begotten Son

and come at last to the fullness of grace. 

Dear Jesus, grant us the grace to resolutely follow you all the days of our lives. Venerable Fulton Sheen gives us something else to ponder ...

So when God pulls down the curtain on the drama of the world's redemption, He will not ask what part we played, but only how well we the played the role assigned to us.

(The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen, Blue Sparrow, 2021, entry for April 13, p. 39)

POPE SAINT MARTIN I,

SAINT MARGARET OF CASTELLO, OP,

BLESSED LUCIAN BOTOVASOA,

BLESSED PETER GOONZALEZ, OP,

SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS,

SAINT DONAN,

BLESSED BAPTIST SPAGNOLI OF MANTUA,

BLESSED CLARA GAMBACORTA, OP,

BLESSED MARIA MANCINI, OP,

SAINT LASERIAN OR MOLAISE,

BLESSED MARIE-ANNE BLONDIN,

BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION,

SAINT ALPHEGE,

BLESSED ISNARD OF CHIAMPO, OP,

BLESSED SIBYLLINA BISCOSSI, OP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Passionflower. From the archives, July 11, 2018.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

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

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

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

The Month of February Dedicated to the Holy Family

Saint: Saint Polycarp, Bishop, Martyr (-155)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:12-19 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Dt 30:15-20; Resp Ps 1; Lk 9:22-25 

Delights in the law of the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

HOLY FAMILY, PRAISED BY THE ANGELS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving Him, and walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous ...

if you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish.

(Dt 30:15-18)

Welcome to Thursday after Ash Wednesday. How did it go yesterday? 

The words above from the author of the Book of Deuteronomy are pretty clear. What will it be then, life and prosperity, or death and doom? There are plenty of opportunities throughout the day to make a choice. United in faith and prayer, we go forth, deny ourselves in one way or the other, take up our cross, and follow Him. This is how we save our lives (see Lk 9:23-24). May it be that when faced with contradictions and pinpricks throughout the day, we could pray as Saint Polycarp did just before he embraced martyrdom.

Lord, almighty God, Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ ... I bless You for judging me worthy of this day, this hour, so that in the company of the martyrs I may share the cup of Christ, Your anointed one ...

I praise You for all things, I bless You, I glorify You through the eternal high priest of heaven, Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son. Through Him be glory to You, together with Him and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

(From a letter on the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp by the Church of Smyrna, in Office of Readings, February 23)

SAINT POLYCARP,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Frosty made a brief appearance yesterday. Please take note of his ashes. ⛄ Whatever he does prospers.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Tuesday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: All Saints of Wales; Blessed George Napier (-1610); Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, Patroness of those who have lost their parents (1880-1906)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 31:13-19

Mass: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14; Resp Ps 37; Lk 17:7-10

Take delight in the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

(Lk 17:10)

During the month of November as we pray for the faithful departed, and especially for those brothers and sisters in purgatory, we remind ourselves of Saint Benedict's Tools for Good Works. Our holy father Benedict exhorts us to yearn for everlasting life with holy desire; to remind ourselves daily that we are going to die (see Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:46-47). We must be about keeping careful watch over all we do (see RB 4:48) here on earth so as to prepare for union with God. Not to be overly scrupulous by any means, but rather, as Saint Paul exhorts younger men in today's first reading, we should model good deeds in every respect, with integrity ... (see Titus 2:6-7). We had the list of qualities to emulate in yesterday's Daily Lectio reflection, and Saint Paul gives us more today. Older men should be temperate, dignified, sound in faith, and so on. Older women should be reverent in their behavior, teaching what is good, training younger women in the faith (see Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur for how to go about that. She was awesome), and so on. Saint Paul provides a good summary for us: "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age ... eager to do good (Titus 2:11-14). And if all else fails, we turn again to the monastery cellarer who knows that a kind word is better than the best gift (see RB 31:14). Essentially, we do what we are obliged to do expecting nothing in return while on this earth. Our reward will be great in heaven. Everything passes. In the evening of life, nothing remains but love. Everything must be done for love ... I am going to the light, to love, to life (Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, November 1, 1906, just days before her death on November 9, 1906).

Purgatory is not an eternal punishment, but a place of preparation, of making satisfaction for the effects of sin, and of being made ready for the eternal wedding feast of the Lamb. As we pray for our brothers and sisters in purgatory, let us live our earthly life preparing for this union with Christ.

(Magnificat, November 8, 2022, Prayer for the Morning, Commentary on the Canticle of Tobit, p. 110)

I would go so far as to say that if there was not purgatory, then we would have to invent it, for who would dare say of himself that he was able to stand directly before God ... Purgatory basically means that God can put the pieces back together again. That He can cleanse us in such a way that we are able to be with Him and can stand there in the fullness of life. Purgatory strips off from one person what is unbearable and from another the inability to bear certain things, so that in each of them a pure heart is revealed, and we can see that we all belong together in one enormous sympathy of being.

(Pope Benedict XVI)*

ALL SAINTS OF WALES,

BLESSED GEORGE NAPIER,

SAINT ELIZABETH OF THE TRINITY,

PRAY FOR US.

*NB. From what I can gather, these words from the Pope Emeritus come from Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, God and the World: A Conversation with Peter Seewald (Ignatius, 2002). 

Today's photo: These roses a gift from a faithful reader visiting family in Davis, CA. Trust in the Lord and do good.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day)

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Wisdom 3:1-9; Resp Ps 23; Rm 5:5-11 or Rm 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40

The Lord is my shepherd.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Yearn for everlasting life with holy desire. Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 4:46-47)

If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

(Rm 6:8)

Let us then die with Christ, to live with Christ. We should have a daily familiarity with death, a daily desire for death. By this kind of detachment our soul must learn to free itself from the desires of the body.

(From a book on the death of his brother Satyrus by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, November 2)

In midst of these holy and precious days, we turn our prayers especially this day to the faithful departed. We remember those who have gone before us, some more known than others, most forgotten after living lives that were ordinary, obscure, and laborious. And then all those people who die, like all the ones who will die today, that just die, somewhere, somehow, and unknown to others. Yes, we need to pray for the dead and ask them to pray for us. As the years go on, I begin to understand better and better why, as children, my friends and I used to sing, "Pray for the dead and the dead will pray for you." I often repeat to myself, and too often to others, that there is only one way out of here. However, it is true. United in faith and prayer then, let us make this a good day in Christ Jesus, and as Saint Benedict tells us, "Hour by hour keep careful watch over all you do, aware that God's gaze is upon you, wherever you may be" (RB 4:48-49). Out of the depths I call to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness and so you are revered ...For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with Him is plenteous redemption (Ps 130).     

All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter into the joy of heaven.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030)

Let us help and commemorate the dead. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice [see Job 1:5], why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

(Saint John Chrysostom, 347-407)

ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED,

PRAY FOR US.

Friendly reminder: Don't forget to add another saint's name to your basket, bowl, hat, or other vessel of choice. 👼And, visit a cemetery near you today. 💗

Today's photo: There is nothing I shall want. Mother Myriam, Sister Diane, Sister Godelieve, pray for us.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

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

Friday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

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

Saints: Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn (1241-1298); Saint Rogue Gonzalez and his companions (-1628)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 41 The Times for Meals

Mass: 1 Macc 4:36-37, 52-59; Resp Ps (1 Chr 29); Lk 19:45-48

For all in heaven and earth is yours.

First for this wet Friday, let us not forget that we are in the month of November, and remember all those who have died, those suffering in Purgatory who await full union with Our Lord in heaven. As put nicely in my prayer missal, "As we serve our brothers and sisters here on earth, let us never forget to pray for our brothers and sisters awaiting heaven" (Magnificat). 

As far as our saints for the day, one is Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn, friend and mentor to Saint Gertrude the Great. Together they are two of the giants of Helfta. There is a passage about Saint Mechtilde in Gertrude the Great's The Herald of God's Loving Kindness, found in Book V, 4, 1. There you will read:

When Lady Mechtilde of blessed memory, our most devoted chantress, was sick unto death, full of good works and of God, scarcely a month before her decease and already bedridden, with her customary devotion and virtuous will she eagerly studied the exercise in preparation for death that [Gertrude] composed.

You can find Gertrude the Great's exercise, "Life in Death", in her Spiritual Exercises, Book VII. Not a bad book to look at this month of November when we remember the dead. At the same time, we remember Saint Benedict's admonition to keep death daily before our eyes (RB 4:47). Jesus, Crown of Saints, have mercy on us.

BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD. LET THEM REST FROM THEIR LABORS, FOR THEIR WORKS ACCOMPANY THEM.

(Entrance Antiphon, Mass).

SAINT MECHTILDE OF HACKEBORN,

SAINT ROGUE GONZALEZ AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is nice, from my walk a week ago today. Not as giant as the Maple leaves along the Avenue of the Giants, it is giant in its beauty.

© Gertrude Feick 2021