Monday of the First Week of Lent

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

Saints: Saint Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs (-203)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 30 The Manner of Reproving Boys

Mass: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Resp Ps 19; Mt 25:31-26

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

PRAY FOR US.

Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy ...

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

(Lev 19:2, 18)

Welcome to Monday. United and prayer and faith, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. Let us invoke the holy martyrs we commemorate today, and some others too, to help us as we strive for holiness. Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34). 

To us, also, your servants,

who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share,

and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs ...

Felicity, Perpetua,

Agatha, Lucy,

Agnes, Cecilia, Anatasia

and all yours saints,

admit us, we beseech you,

into their company,

not weighing our merits,

but granting us your pardon,

through Christ our Lord.

[Eucharistic Prayer I (Roman Canon)]

"Stand firm in faith, love one another and do not be tempted to do anything wrong because of our sufferings" ...

Bravest and happiest martyrs! You were called and chosen for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(From the story of the death of the holy martyrs of Carthage, in Office of Readings, March 7)

SAINTS PERPETUA AND FELICITY,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I found these sweet, precious beauties, clothed in Lenten purple, in the kitchen garden, late yesterday afternoon. Flowers, bless the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

First Sunday of Lent

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

In other years: Saint Kyneburgha, Abbess (-c.680)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 29 Readmission of Brothers Who Leave the Monastery

Mass: Dt 26:4-10; Resp Ps 91; Rm 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13

Then Moses spoke to the people.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

(Rm 10:13)

Since "the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12), let us turn to the word of God, and "confidently approach the throne of grace for timely help" (Heb 4:16), for the strength, courage, and mercy we need in time of trial and temptation. 

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 ...

See yourself tempted in [Christ], and see yourself as victorious in Him. He could have kept the devil from Himself; but if He were not tempted He could not teach you how to triumph over temptation.

(From a commentary on the psalms by Saint Augustine, in Office or Readings, First Sunday of Lent)

United in faith and prayer, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia.

SAINT KYNEBURGHA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I've been waiting to use this one. Another beauty from dear Anna and Nicola. This time from Chiesa di San Pietro in Vincoli, Church of Saint Peter in Chains, Rome, with Michelangelo’s masterpiece, Moses. It is awesome seen in person. Abbracci, amici.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

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

Saint: Saint Kieren, Irish monk and bishop (5th-6th century) 

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 28 Those Who Refuse to Amend after Frequent Reproofs

Mass: Is 58:9b-14; Resp Ps 86; Lk 5:27-32

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I do not wish the death of the sinner, but that he turn back to me and live.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 38/Ezk 33:11)

Jesus is interested in those who need a physician, as Our Lord says in today's Gospel: Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners (Lk 5:27-32). Saint Benedict echoes the same in his section on the penal code, that is, the chapters that guide the conduct of those who lose their way, and those who care for them. In yesterday's chapter, "The Abbot's Concern for the Excommunicated", Saint Benedict tells the abbot that he "must exercise the utmost care and concern for wayward brothers, because it is not the healthy who need a physician, but the sick (RB 27:1). We are all in need of the Divine Physician. 

The following comes from the section on Kabir (c.1440-1518), in Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and the West, p. 209.

I HAD TO SEEK THE PHYSICIAN

I had to seek the Physician

because of the pain this world

caused me.

I could not believe what happened when I got there-

I found my 

Teacher.

Before I left, he said,

"Up for a little homework, yet?"

"Okay," I replied.

"Well then, try thanking all the people

who have caused

you pain.

They helped you

come to 

me."

United in faith and prayer, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia, and all those affected by unrest, strife, violence, and war. Kyrie, eleison.

SAINT KIEREN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This photo was taken four years ago. Snow, bless the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Friday after Ash Wednesday

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

Saints: Saint Casimir (1458-1484)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 27 The Abbot's Concern for the Excommunicated

Mass: Is 58:1-9a; Resp Ps 51; Mt 9:14-15

Of my sin cleanse me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

I love the Lord, who listened to my voice in supplication.

(Psalm 116)

In today's Gospel, the Pharisees are once again not minding their own business. They wonder why the disciples do not fast as they do (Mt 9:14). The disciples will feast now, however, as Jesus is with them. Jesus is with you; Jesus is with me. He says, Here I am! (Is 58:9a). Remembering that, let us not mourn, let us ask the Lord to help us fast in the way the Lord God wishes, among those with whom we live, work, and play: Release those bound unjustly; untie the thongs of the yoke; set free the oppressed; break every yoke; share your bread with the hungry; shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked; don't turn your back on your own (Is 58:6-7). Saint Benedict might summarize with this tool for good works: “Never turn away when someone needs your love” (RB 4:26). Saint Casimir certainly followed suit. May he intercede for us.

United in faith and prayer, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. And as we commemorate Saint Casimir, the 15th century second son of King Casimir IV of Poland, we pray also for the people of Poland and Lithuania. Kyrie, eleison. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Casimir burned with a sincere and unpretentious love for almighty God that was almost unbelievable in its strength. So rich was his love and so abundantly did it fill his heart, that it flowed out from his inner spirit toward his fellow men ... One would have to compose a long account to record here all his works of love and dedication to God and for mankind. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine or to express his passion for justice, his exercise of moderation, his gift of prudence, his fundamental spiritual courage and stability, especially in a most permissive age, when men tended to be headstrong and by their very natures inclined to sin.

(From the life of Saint Casimir written by a contemporary, in Office of Readings, March 4) 

SAINT CASIMIR,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Thank you again, dear Anna and Nicola, here with Ponte de diavolo, the Roman "Bridge of the Devil," near Biera in the Province of Viterbo, Italy. Abbracci amici.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

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

Saints: Saint Katherine Drexel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, first canonized saint born an American citizen (1858-1955); Saint Vignal (c.460-532): 

Readings of the Day

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

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

He is like a tree.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Choose life ... by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice and holding fast to Him.

(Dt. 30:19-20)

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells anyone who wishes to come after Him that he must deny himself and take up his cross, daily (Lk 9:23). Saint Benedict tells us that during Lent, we are to deny ourselves something by way of "food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting" (RB 49:7). Pope Saint Leo the Great, in a sermon, preached this: "Dear friends, what the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion, so that the Lenten fast enjoined by the apostles may be fulfilled, not simply by abstinence of food but above all by the renunciation of sin" (in Office of Readings, Thursday after Ash Wednesday). What is one thing you might deny yourself of today, or tomorrow, and thereby further renounce sin? A couple ways to go about that are one, to pray with the Confiteor, a prayer that may be used during the Penitential Act at Mass: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned ... Or two, pray with the words that the Priest prays at Mass, during the Preparation of the altar and the offerings, when washing his hands: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Both came through clearly for me at Mass this morning. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it (Lk 9:24).

We remember in prayer the people of Ukraine and Russia. Jesus, God of peace, have mercy on us.

SAINT KATHERINE DREXEL,

SAINT VIGNAL,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From our entrance. Light and darkness, bless the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Ash Wednesday

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

Day of Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine

In other years: Saint Chad (-672)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults

Mass:

Of my sin cleanse me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, GOD OF PEACE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Welcome to Ash Wednesday

As has become customary, I include for Ash Wednesday a piece sent to me a few years ago by Archbishop Arthur Roche. Archbishop Roche was appointed Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis, last May 2021. Archbishop Roche served as Secretary of the Congregation since 2012. We enter, then, this season of fasting and feasting.

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from compliance; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feast,

gift us with your presence, so we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work.

Amen.

United in faith and prayer on this day of prayer and fasting, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. Kyrie, eleison.

SAINT CHAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

© Gertrude Feick 2022

Tuesday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Saint: Saint David (520-589)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: 1 Pt 1:1-10; Resp Ps 98; Mk 10:28-31

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

PRAY FOR US.

Ash Wednesday cometh. I have been reflecting upon Peter's words to Jesus in today's Gospel. Peter, the future rock upon which Jesus builds His church (Mt 16:18), says, "We have given up everything and followed you" (Mk 10:28). I say to Peter, I say to myself, "oh, is that so ..." We turn to Saint Benedict, who in his chapter on the observance of Lent, writes, "During these days, therefore, we will add to the usual measure of service something by way of private prayer and abstinence from food and drink ... let each one deny himself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting" (RB 49:5-6). There is always something that we have not yet renounced. As we sometimes prepare exhaustive lists of what we are going to do, and not do, during Lent, perhaps we could just spend some time in silence and ask Jesus just what is one thing I can deny myself of that will bring me closer to your love. Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children of lands for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more in this present age ... (Mk 16:29ff).

Let Your God Love You

by Edwina Gateley

Be silent,

Be still,

Alone,

Empty

Before your God.

Say nothing.

Ask nothing.

Be silent,

Be still,

Let your God look upon you.

That is all.

God knows.

God understands.

God loves you

With an enormous love,

And only wants

To look upon you

With that love.

Quiet.

Still.

Be.

Let your God -

Love you.

United in faith and prayer, we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. Kyrie, eleison. 

SAINT DAVID,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Almond tree orchard, Monasterio Ste Maria de Miraflores, Rancagua, Chile. Trees and nuts, bless the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022