Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

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

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Is 1:10, 16-20; Resp Ps 50; Mt 23:1-12

No goats out of your fold.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF MARTYRS,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, LIGHT OF PATRIARCHS,

PRAY FOR US.

Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord.

(Is 1:18)

Put simply, what is it you must do to set things right? After all, the Lord says "us." We are united in faith and prayer, and the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Is 1:20). If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land (Is 1:19). Whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Mt 23:12).

The day of the martyrs' victory dawned. They marched from their cells into the amphitheater, as if into heaven, with cheerful looks and graceful bearing. If they trembled it was for joy and not for fear ...

Brave and happiest martrys! 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)

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, Anastasia, and all your Saints: admits 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)

SAINTS FELICITY AND PERPETUA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Snug as a bug in a rug. When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saints: Saint Kyneburgha (c.680); Saint Colette of Corbie, Patron Saint of Childbirth and Sick Children (1381-1447)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Dn 9:4b-10; Resp Ps 79; Lk 6:36-38

May Your compassion quickly come to us.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, TERROR OF DEMONS,

PRAY FOR US.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

(Lk 6:36)

Welcome to Monday, the first Monday of the month of March devoted to Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church!

There is not much to say today what with the Gospel. Jesus is pretty clear. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven (Lk 6:37ff) and so on. United in faith and prayer, we go forth. 

Keeping an account of people's faults is a fruitless task. Not only are you showing your pride and ill will, but you are also wasting your time ...

While I waste my time and strength criticizing and complaining about others, those who seemed to me to be further behind on the road toward holiness are setting out and moving forward quickly and soon will have gone beyond me.

(Venerable Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, 1928-2002)

SAINT KYNEBURGHA,

SAINT COLETTE OF CORBIE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: I looked out the window yesterday around 10 am. Saturday and Sunday were a mixture of this, rain, and snow too. And this morning I was greeted by a very wet snowfall. We are brought very low.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Second Sunday of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

In other years: 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: Gn 12:1-4a; Resp Ps 33; 2 Tim 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9

Our soul waits for the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MOST OBEDIENT,

PRAY FOR US.

Abram went as the Lord directed him

(Gn 12:4a)

Welcome to Transfiguration Sunday. We remember to pray for all those preparing to be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil. May we support them in prayer and be courageous witnesses to the faith.

Thankfully, we have people like Abraham who have gone before us and are models of prayer and faith. The Church teaches us that "Abraham is a model of prayer because he walked in the presence of God, heard and obeyed Him." Furthermore, Abraham's "prayer was a battle of faith because he continued to believe in the fidelity of God even in times of trial."* May we do likewise. However, like Abraham we have to listen and obey. This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him (Mt 17:5).

"Thy will be done" - what a comfort and support those four little words are to my soul. I have repeated them until they are softened to the sweetest harmony.

(Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1774-1821)

SAINT KIEREN,

PRAY FOR US.

* Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 536. See 2570-2573 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 

Today's photo: Who is our help and our shield.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

First Saturday of the Month

Saint: Saint Casimir (1458-1484)

Readings of the Day

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

Mass: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Resp Ps 119; Mt 5:43-48

I will keep your statutes.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MINISTER OF SALVATION,

PRAY FOR US.

Today you are making this agreement with the Lord: He is to be your God and you are to walk in His ways and observe His statutes, commandments and decrees, to hearken to His voice.

(Dt 26:17)

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month of March devoted to Saint Joseph. One of my favorite saints, Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444), "Apostle of Italy," helped to promote devotion to Saint Joseph and said about Saint Joseph, "The holy man possesses an inward joy ... it surrounds him and engulfs him like an infinite abyss." May we possess the same inward joy as we walk in the way of Jesus and heed His commands: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and the good (Mt 5:44-45). Yes, His sun rises on all of us. 

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 for God and for mankind.

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

Always more, always better, always with love ...

Fortified with good intention, wherever you are and whatever you do, always keep it in mind: God is here!

(Venerable Maria Kaupas, 1880-1940)

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another: for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(Mt 13:8)

SAINT CASIMIR,

VENERABLE MARIA KAUPUS,

SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This plant continues to fascinate me. Do not utterly forsake me.

© Gertrude Feick 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 of the First Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint Chad (-672); Saint Agnes of Prague (1211-1282)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 25 Serious Faults

Mass: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Resp Ps 138; Mt 7:7-12 

When I called, you answered me.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH, MAN OF COURAGE,

PRAY FOR US.

As a child I used to hear the books of my forefathers that you, O Lord, always free those who are pleasing to you. 

(Esther C:16)

With Queen Esther's sincere and courageous prayer in today's first reading, coupled with today's Gospel, I think of something Sister Wendy Beckett of happy memory (1930-2018) wrote. Something I've quoted before. 

The essential act of prayer is to stand unprotected before God. What will God do? He will take possession of us. That He should do this is the whole purpose of our life. When you set yourself down to pray, WHAT DO YOU WANT? If you want God to take possession of you, then you are praying. That is all prayer is. There are no secrets, no shortcuts, no methods. Prayer is the utterly ruthless test of your sincerity. It is the one place in the world where there is nowhere to hide. That is its utter bliss - and its torment. 

(Sister Wendy Beckett, "Simple Prayer," The Clergy Review, February 1978, pp. 42-45, here p. 43)

As I wrote yesterday, you can run from God, but you can't hide. Esther certainly didn't run. She poured out her soul to the Lord. Your will, O Lord, be done. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Mt 7:7).

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT AGNES OF PRAGUE,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Waiting. Your right hand saves me.

© Gertrude Feick 2023

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

The Month of March Devoted to Saint Joseph

Saint: Saint David of Wales (520-589); Pope Saint Felix III (5th century); Saint Albinus, Bishop of Angers (6th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 24 Degrees of Excommunication

Mass: Jonah 3:1-10; Resp Ps 51; Lk 11:29-32

Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF SNOWS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, He repented of the evil that He had threatened to do to them; He did not carry it out.

(Jonah 3:10)

Welcome to the month of March devoted to Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. We begin invoking the glorious patriarch today, and every day throughout the month. This month may be good one to look again at the Holy Father's Apostolic Letter Patris Corde With a father's heart. 

With Jonah presented in our first reading today, Queen Esther tomorrow, and Ezekiel on Friday, I have been thinking about prophets this morning. I think if God gave me the nod, I would join dear Jonah and run the other way. On the other hand, God has given me the nod just as he has given you and each member of the faithful the nod. We are called to witness to the faith in varied ways. Like Jonah though, there are days when we would prefer to run the other way. However, there is no escaping the hand of the Lord. Like it or not. We can run but we can't hide. Not my will, Lord, but yours be done. United in faith and prayer, we keep going.

SAINT DAVID OF WALES,

POPE SAINT FELIX III,

SAINT ALBINUS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Cast me not out from your presence.

© Gertrude Feick 2023