FRIDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

 

Friday in the Third Week of Lent

Prayer.

LOOK down on our fasts, we beseech Thee, O Lord, with merciful favor, that, as we abstain from food in body, so we may fast from vice in mind. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Numbers xx. 2-13.

In those days, the children of Israel came together against Moses and Aaron: and making a sedition, they said: Would God we had perished among our brethren before the Lord.  Why have you brought out the Church of the Lord into the wilderness, that both we and our cattle should die? Why have you made us come up out of Egypt, and have brought us into this wretched place which cannot be sowed, nor bringeth forth figs, nor vines, nor pomegranates, neither is there any water to drink ? And Moses and Aaron leaving the multitude, went into the tabernacle of the covenant, and fell flat upon the ground, and cried to the Lord, and said : O Lord God, hear the cry of this people, and open to them Thy treasure, a fountain of living water, that being satisfied they may cease to murmur. And the glory of the Lord appeared over them. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Take the rod, and assemble the people together, thou and Aaron thy brother, and speak to the rock before them, and it shall yield waters. And when thou hast brought forth water out of the rock, all the multitude and their cattle shall drink. Moses therefore took the rod, which was before the Lord, as He had commanded him. And having gathered together the multitude before the rock, he said to them : Hear, ye rebellious and incredulous : Can we bring you forth water out of this rock? And when Moses had lifted up his hand, and struck the rock twice with the rod, there came forth water in great abundance, so that the people and their cattle drank. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron : Because you have not believed Me, to sanctify Me before the children of Israel, you shall not bring these people into the land which I will give them. This is the water of contradiction, where the children of Israel strove with words against the Lord, and He was sanctified in them.

GOSPEL. John iv. 5-42.

At that time Jesus came to a city of Samaria which is called Sichar; near the land which Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob s well was there. Jesus therefore being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well. It was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus saith to her : Give Me to drink. For His disciples were gone into the city to buy meats. Then that Samaritan woman saith to Him : How dost Thou, being a Jew, ask of me to drink, who am a Samaritan woman? For the Jews do not communicate with the Samaritans. Jesus answered, and said to her : If thou didst know the gift of God, and Who He is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink ; thou perhaps wouldst have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. The woman saith to Him : Sir, Thou hast nothing wherein to draw, and the well is deep : from whence then hast Thou living water ? Art Thou greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered, and said to her : Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again ; but he that shall drink of the water that I will give him shall not thirst forever: but the water that I will give him shall become in him a fountain of water springing up into life everlasting. The woman saith to Him : Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come hither to draw. Jesus saith to her : Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered, and said : I have no husband. Jesus said to her : Thou hast said well, I have no husband : for thou hast had five husbands : and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband. This thou hast said truly. The woman saith to him : Sir, I perceive that Thou art a prophet. Our fathers adored on this mountain, and you say that at Jerusalem is the place where men must adore.  Jesus saith to her : Woman, believe Me, that the hour cometh when you shall neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem adore the Father. You adore that which you know not: we adore that which we know; for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true adorers shall adore the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father also seeketh such to adore Him. God is a spirit, and they that adore Him must adore Him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith to Him : I know that the Messias cometh (Who is called Christ) : therefore when He is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus saith to her:  I am He Who am speaking with thee. And immediately His disciples came: and they wondered that He talked with the woman. Yet no man said: What seekest Thou, or why talkest Thou with her? The woman therefore left her water-pot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men there : Come, and see a man Who has told me all things whatsoever I have done. Is not He the Christ?
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Next: Saturday in the Third Week of Lent

THURSDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Thursday in the Third Week of Lent

Prayer.

MAY heavenly propitiation increase Thy people subject to Thee, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and make them ever servants of Thy commandments. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Jer. vii. 1-7.

In those days the word of the Lord came to me, saying : Stand in the gate of the house of the Lord, and proclaim there this word, and say : Hear ye the word of the Lord, all ye men of Juda, that enter in at these gates, to adore the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel : Make your ways and your doings good : and I will dwell with you in this place.  Trust not in lying words, saying : The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, it is the temple of the Lord. For if you will order well your ways, and your doings : if you will execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, and walk not after strange gods to your own hurt, I will dwell with you in this place : in the land which I gave to your fathers from the beginning and forever, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Luke iv. 38-44.

At that time Jesus, rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought Him for her. And standing over her, He commanded the fever, and it left her. And immediately rising, she ministered to them. And when the sun was down, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to Him. But He laying His hands on every one of them, healed them. And devils went out from many, crying out and saying : Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them He suffered them not to speak, for they knew that He was Christ.  And when it was day, going out He went into a desert place, and the multitudes sought Him, and came unto Him : and they stayed Him that He should not depart from them. To whom He said : To other cities also I must preach the kingdom of God : for therefor am I sent. And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
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Next: Friday in the Third Week of Lent

WEDNESDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent

Prayer.

GRANT us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that, instructed by wholesome fasting, and abstaining from dangerous vices, we may more easily obtain Thy favor. Through Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Exodus xx. 12-24.

Thus saith the Lord God : Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be long-lived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor s house: neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his. And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking : and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off, saying to Moses : Speak thou to us, and we will hear : let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die. And Moses said to the people : Fear not : for God has come to prove you, and that the dread of Him might be in you, and you should not sin. And the people stood afar off.  But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was. And the Lord said to Moses : Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel : You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold. You shall make an altar of earth unto Me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace-offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of My name shall be.

GOSPEL. Matt. xv. 1-20.

At that time there came to Jesus from Jerusalem scribes and Pharisees, saying: Why do Thy disciples transgress the traditions of the ancients? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But He answering, said to them : Why do you also transgress the commandment of God for your tradition?  For God said : Honor thy father and mother ; and : He that shall curse father or mother, let him die the death. But you say : Whosoever shall say to father or mother, the gift whatso ever proceedeth from me, shall profit thee; and he shall not honor his father or his mother: and you have made void the  commandment of God for our tradition. Hypocrites, well hath Isaias prophesied of you, saying : This people honoreth Me with their lips: but their heart is far from Me. And in vain do they worship Me, teaching doctrines and commandments of men. And having called together the multitudes unto Him, He said to them: Hear ye and understand. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man : but what cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came His disciples, and said to Him: Dost Thou know that the Pharisees, when they heard this word, were scandalized? But He answering, said: Every plant which My heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up. Let them alone : they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit. And Peter answering, said to Him: Expound to us this parable. But He said : Are you also yet without understanding? Do you not understand, that whatsoever entereth into the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the privy? But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man. For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, basphemies. These are the things that defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands doth not defile a man.
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Next: Thursday in the Third Week of Lent

TUESDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent

Prayer.

GRACIOUSLY hear us, O almighty and merciful God, and  favorably grant to us the gifts of wholesome self-denial.  Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE, iv. Kings iv. 1-7.

In those days a certain woman of the wives of the prophets cried to Eliseus, saying : Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant was one that feared the Lord, and behold the creditor is come to take away my two sons to serve him. And Eliseus said to her: What wilt thou have me do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in thy house? And she answered : I thy handmaid have nothing in my house but a little oil, to anoint me. And he said to her: Go, borrow of all thy neighbors empty vessels not a few. And go in, and shut thy door, when thou art within, with thy sons : and pour out thereof into all those vessels, and when they are full take them away.  So the woman went, and shut the door upon her, and upon her sons: they brought her the vessels, and she poured in. And when the vessels were full, she said to her son : Bring me yet a vessel. And he answered: I have no more. And the oil stood. And she came and told the man of God. And he said :Go, sell the oil, and pay thy creditor: and thou and thy sons live of the rest.

GOSPEL. Matt, xviii. 15-22.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples : If thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother. And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.  And if he will not hear them: tell the Church. And if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican. Amen I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven : and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth, shall be loosed also in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning any thing whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by My Father Who is in heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.  Then came Peter unto Him and said : Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith to him : I say not to thee, till seven times ; but till seventy times seven times.
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Next: Wednesday in the Third Week of Lent

MONDAY IN THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Monday in the Third Week of Lent

Prayer.

POUR forth, in Thy mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that, as we abstain from flesh, we may also restrain our senses from hurtful excesses.

EPISTLE, iv. Kings v. 1 15.

In those days : Naaman, general of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable : for by him the Lord gave deliverance to Syria : and he was a valiant man and rich, but a leper. Now there had gone out robbers from Syria, and had led away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid, and she waited upon Naamaii s wife. And she said to her mistress: I wish my master had been with the prophet, that is in Samaria : he would certainly have healed him of the leprosy which he hath. Then Naaman went in to his lord, and told him, saying : Thus and thus said the girl from the land of Israel. And the king of Syria said to him: Go, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment, and brought the letter to the king of Israel, in these words: When thou shalt receive this letter, know that I have sent to thee Naaman my servant, that thou mayest heal him of his leprosy. And when the king of Israel had read the letter, he rent his garments, and said : Am I God, to be able to kill and give life, that this man hath sent to me, to heal a man of his leprosy? mark, and see how he seeketh occasions against me. And when Eliseus the man of God had heard this, to wit, that the king of Israel had rent his garments, he sent to him, saying: Why hast thou rent thy garments? let him come to me, and let him know that there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and stood at the door of the house of Eliseus: and Eliseus sent a messenger to him saying : Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and thy flesh shall recover health, and thou shalt be clean. Naaman was angry and went away, saying: I thought he would have come out to me, and standing- would have invoked the name of the Lord his God, and touched with his hand the place of the leprosy, and healed me. Are not the Abana and the Pharphar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, that I may wash in them, arid be made clean? So as he turned, and was going away with indignation, his servants came to him, and said to him : Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it : how much rather what he now hath said to thee: Wash, and thou shalt be clean? Then he went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times : according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, like the flesh of a little child, and he was made clean. And returning to the man of God with all his train, he came, and stood before him, and said : In truth, I know there is no other God in all the earth, but only in Israel.

GOSPEL. Luke iv. 23-30.

At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees: Doubtless you will say to Me this similitude : Physician, heal Thyself : as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in Thy own country. And He said : Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country. In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth. And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman.  And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet : and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian.  And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And they rose up and thrust Him out of the city : and they brought Him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them, went His way.
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Next: Tuesday in the Third Week of Lent

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT, CALLED "OCULI"

Third Sunday of Lent, Called “Oculi”

Introit of this day s Mass contains the prayer of a soul anxious to be freed from the snares of sin : “My eyes are ever towards the Lord ; for He shall pluck my feet out of the snare. Look Thou upon me and have mercy upon me, for I am alone and poor. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul ; in Thee, O God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed” (Ps. xxiv. 15, 16, 1, 2). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, regard the prayers of Thy humble servants, and stretch forth in our defence the right hand of Thy majesty. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Ephesians v. 1-9.

Brethren: Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children. And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered Himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness. But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints : or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose : but rather giving of thanks. For know ye this and understand that no fornicator, nor unclean, nor covetous person (which is a serving of idols), hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk ye as children of the light : for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth.

Explanation.

St. Paul here declares it to be the duty of every Christian, not only to walk in love, but also to abstain from fornication, impurity, and equivocal and immodest talk. No one, therefore, who is addicted to these vices can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ.

Aspiration.

O Lord, free my heart from all inordinate desires for temporal goods and sensual pleasures. May a childlike fear of Thee guard my tongue, that I may not speak foolish or sinful words.

GOSPEL. Luke xi. 14-28.

At that time Jesus was casting out a devil, and the same was dumb; and when He had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke : and the multitudes were in admiration at it : but some of them said : He casteth out devils, by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. And others tempting, asked of Him a sign from heaven. But He seeing their thoughts said to them : Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation, and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because you say, that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out?  Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court : those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him : he will take away all his armor wherein he trusted, and will distribute his spoils. he that is not with Me is against Me : and he that gathereth not with Me, scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest : and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and gar nished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.  And it came to pass : as He spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd lifting up her voice said to Him : Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the paps that gave Thee suck. But He said : Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

What are we to understand here by the dumb devil?
The evil spirit, who so controls those of whom he has possession that they are dumb, and through a false shame keep away from confession.

By what power did Christ cast out the devil?
By His divine power, which worked so suddenly and perfectly that the possessed was at once freed and able to speak.

How did Christ show the Jews that He did not cast out devils by Beelzebub?
1.By the parable in which He explains to them that the kingdom of Satan cannot stand if one evil spirit is cast out by another. 2. By pointing to their own children, some of whom were enabled to cast out devils by the power they had received from God (Mark ix. 37, 38). 3. By His whole life, and His works, which were in direct opposition to the devil.

Prayer.

O Jesus, conqueror of the dumb devil, strengthen me, that if I should have the misfortune to sin against Thy holy commandments I may have courage to overcome my false shame, and confess my sins in sincerity and humility. O my Saviour, be Thou my leader in the fight, that I may foil those arms of the devil : my evil inclinations, idleness, bad company, bad books, and human respect, and grant that I may never relapse into sin, but serve Thee with perseverance. Amen.
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Next: Monday in the Third Week of Lent

SATURDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Prayer.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, a salutary effect to our fasts, that the chastisement of the flesh which we have taken upon us may promote the vigor of the soul. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Gen. xxvii. 6-40.

In those days Rebecca said to her son Jacob : I heard thy father talking with Esau thy brother, and saying to him : Bring me of thy hunting, and make me meats that I may eat, and bless thee in the sight of the Lord, before I die. Now, there fore, my son, follow my counsel : and go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth : which when thou hast brought in, and he hath eaten, he may bless thee before he die.  And he answered her : Thou knowest that Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am smooth. If my father shall feel me, and perceive it, I fear lest he will think I would have mocked him, and I shall bring upon me a curse instead of a blessing. And his mother said to him : Upon me be this curse, my son : only hear thou my voice, and go, fetch me the things which I Lave said. He went, and brought, and gave them to his mother. She dressed meats, such as she knew his father liked. And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her : and the little skins of the kids she put about his hands, and covered the bare of his neck. And she gave him the savory meat, and delivered him bread that she had baked. Which when he had carried in, he said: My father?  But he answered: I hear. Who art thou, my son? And Jacob said : I am Esau thy first-born : I have done as thou didst command me: arise, sit, and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to his son: How couldst thou find it so quickly, my son? He answered: It was the will of God that what I sought came quickly in my way. And Isaac said: Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or not. He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said : The voice in deed is the voice of Jacob : but the hands are the hands of Esau.  And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder. Then blessing him, he said : Art thou my son Esau? He answered: I am. Then he said: Bring me the meats of thy hunting, my son, that my soul may bless thee. And when they were brought, and he had eaten, he offered him wine also, which after he had drunk, he said to him : Come near me, and give me a kiss, my son. He came near, and kissed him. And immediately as he smelled the fragrant smell of his garments, blessing him, he said : Behold the smell of my son is as the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord hath blessed. God give thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fat ness of the earth, abundance of corn and wine. And let peoples serve thee, and tribes worship thee: be thou lord of thy brethren, and let thy mother s children bow down before thee.  Cursed be he that curseth thee: and let him that blesseth thee be filled with blessings. Isaac had scarce ended his words, when Jacob being now gone out abroad, Esau came, and brought in to his father meats made of what he had taken in hunting, saying: Arise, my father, and eat of thy son s venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said to him : Why ! who art thou? He answered : I am thy first-born son Esau. Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly: and wondering beyond what can be believed, said: Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all be fore thou earnest? And I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed. Esau having heard his father s words, roared out with a great cry: and being in a consternation, said: Bless me also, my father. And he said : Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing. But he said again : Rightly is his name called Jacob ; for he hath supplanted me lo this second time : my first birthright he took away before, and now this second time he hath stolen away my blessing. And again he said to his father : Hast thou not reserved me also a blessing? Isaac answered: I have appointed him thy lord, and have made all his brethren his servants: I have established him with corn and wine, and after this, what shall I do more for thee, my son? And Esau said to him: Hast thou only one blessing, father? I beseech thee bless me also. And when he wept with a loud cry, Isaac being moved, said to him : In the fat of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above, shall thy blessing be.

GOSPEL. Luke xv. 11-32.

In that time Jesus spoke this parable to the scribes,, and Pharisees: A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father : Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance.  And not many days after, the younger son gathering all together, went abroad into a far country, and there wasted his substance, living riotously. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country, and he began to be in want.  And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country.  And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat ; and no man gave unto him. And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father s house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger? I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee : I am not now worthy to be called thy son : make me as one of thy hired servants. And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him : Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants : Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet : and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry : because this my son was dead, and is come to life again : was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came out and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing : and he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said to him : Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him. And he answering, said to his father :Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends : but as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. But he said to him : Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine. But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead, and is come to life again : he was lost, and is found.
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Next: Third Sunday of Lent, Called "Oculi"

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY- MARCH 25

 

Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
MARCH 25.

THIS feast is so called from the announcement to the Blessed Virgin, by the archangel Gabriel, that she was to be the mother of the Messias. In the Introit of the Mass the Church refers to this high dignity of Mary’s: “All the rich shall entreat thy countenance ; after her shall virgins be brought to the King ; her neighbors shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. My heart hath uttered a good word, I speak my works to the King.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who didst please that Thy Word should take flesh, at the message of an angel, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant to Thy suppliants that we, who believe her to be truly the Mother of God, may be blessed by her intercession with Thee. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Isaias vii. 10-15.

In those days the Lord spoke to Achaz, saying : Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said : I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said : Hear ye therefore, O house of David : Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that He may know to refuse the evil and to choose the good.
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INSTRUCTION ON THE “ANGELIC SALUTATION”, OR “ HAIL MARY.

Why is this prayer called the “Hail Mary”, or “Angelic Salutation?”
Because it begins with the words which the archangel Gabriel addressed to the Blessed Virgin when he announced to her that she should be the Mother of God.

Of what does the Angelic Salutation consist?
1. Of the words of the archangel Gabriel. 2. Of the words of St. Elizabeth. 3. Of words which have been added thereto by the Catholic Church.

Which are the words of the archangel Gabriel?  “ Hail [Mary], full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women.”

What is the meaning of these words?
The words “Hail Mary” indicate that profound veneration for the Blessed Virgin which was felt by the archangel Gabriel, and which we, in imitation of his example, ought also to cherish.  The words full of grace remind us that God bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin greater graces than upon all men and angels together ; and that not for herself alone, but for us also ; they therefore encourage us to pray to Mary with fervor and confidence, that by her powerful intercession she will obtain for us the graces necessary for our salvation. 4 The Lord is with thee ; these words express the peculiar complacency with which God has regarded her, on account of which He wrought in her special miracles of wisdom, omnipotence, and benignity. Let us rejoice with Mary over these prerogatives, and implore her to intercede for us, that God may be with us also, to sustain us by His almightiness, to govern us by His wisdom, to incite us to all that is good by the fire of His infinite love. Finally, the words " Blessed art thou among women" are as much as to say : Thou art the happiest of all women, since thou alone of them all hast no stain of sin on thee ; thou art chosen to be the Mother of God; thou shalt conceive Him by the Holy Ghost, and shalt bring Him forth without losing thy virginity.  Thus it was that the angel saluted the most blessed Virgin, and yet there are men who are ashamed thus to salute Mary, and to give praise for the graces which God conferred upon her.

Which are the words of Elizabeth, and what do they mean?
“ And blessed is the fruit of thy womb:” the word blessed is equivalent to praised. In saying these words, therefore, we desire that the fruit of Mary s womb, Jesus, may be worshipped and praised by all men.
Which are the words which the Catholic Church has added?  To the words " Blessed is the fruit of thy womb" she has added “Jesus” in order thereby to explain them, and to indicate that this prayer is to be offered in the name of Jesus. There upon follow the words, “ Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen”

What do these words mean?
With the words, “ Holy Mary” we apply to her who is full of grace as our intercessor, and thereby are reminded to strive to imitate her holiness, if we would be sure of her intercession, and of being heard before God. We call her “ Mother of God, “ because she brought forth Jesus, the Son of God. Thereby we at the same time remind her that she is our mother also, and pray her to care for us as a mother ; not as though we believed she could of herself help us, but with the design that she should offer to God her all-prevailing prayers for us ; hence we say,” Pray for us” adding,” sinners” By these words we remind Mary of our misery, and ourselves of our powerlessness for good, and of our guiltiness in the sight of God, praying her to procure for us the grace of God to do true penance, to acquire virtues, and to gain true peace, and that “now” inasmuch as at every moment, and throughout our whole life, we have so many dangers to meet, so many virtues to gain; ”and at the hour of our death” that we may overcome the temptations of the last decisive hour, and stand complete victors before the throne of the eternal Judge ”Amen” so may it be, is, as it were, to repeat and make stronger the whole prayer.

GOSPEL. Luke i. 26-38.

At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her : Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her : Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father : and He shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel : How shall this be done, because I know not man ? And the angel answering, said to her : The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age : and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren : because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said : Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.

Salutation to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.

Hail, Mary, full of grace ! I rejoice, and give joy to thee, that thou hast been chosen the Mother of the Most High, and the queen of heaven and earth. With thee is the Father Who begot, from all eternity, Him Whom thou didst bring forth as God-man in time; with thee is the Son, Whom thou didst bear in thy virginal womb ; with thee is the Holy Ghost, overshadowed by Whose power thou didst become the Mother of the Redeemer of the world. Praised, therefore, be thou, thou blessed among women ; thou daughter of the Most High ; thou bride of the Holy Ghost ; thou joy of heaven ; thou ornament of the Church of God ; thou honor of Christians. Oh, pray God for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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Next: Feast of the Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin (Friday in Passion Week)

FRIDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Friday in the Second Week of Lent

Prayer.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, purified by the holy fast, we may celebrate the coming festival with pure hearts. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Gen. xxxvii. 6-22.

In those days Joseph said to his brethren : Hear my dream which I dreamed. I thought we were binding sheaves in the field : and my sheaf arose as it were and stood, and your sheaves standing about, bowed down before my sheaf. His brethren answered: Shalt thou be our king? or shall we be subject to thy dominion? Therefore this matter of his dreams and words ministered nourishment to their envy and hatred.  He dreamed also another dream, which he told his brethren, saying: I saw in a dream, as it were, the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars worshipping me. And when he had told this to his father, and brethren, his father rebuked him, and said :What meaneth this dream that thou hast dreamed? shall I and  thy mother, and thy brethren worship thee upon the earth?  His brethren therefore envied him : but his father considered the thing with himself. And when his brethren abode in Sichem, feeding their father s flocks, Israel said to him: Thy brethren feed the sheep in Sichem : come, I will send thee to them. And when he answered : I am ready ; he said to him :Go, and see if all things be well with thy brethren, and the cattle : and bring me word again what is doing. So being sent from the vale of Hebron, he came to Sichem : and a man found him there wandering in the field, and asked what he sought.  But he answered : I seek my brethren, tell me where they feed the flocks. And the man said to him : They are departed from this place : for I heard them say : Let us go to Dothain. And Joseph went forward after his brethren, and found them in Dothain. And when they saw him afar off, before he came nigh them, they thought to kill him. And said one to another: Behold the dreamer cometh. Come, let us kill him, and cast him into some old pit, and we will say : Some evil beast hath devoured him : and then it shall appear what his dreams avail him : and Ruben hearing this, endeavored to deliver him out of their hands, and said : Do not take away his life, nor shed his blood: but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness, and keep your hands harmless : now he said this, being desirous to deliver him out of their hands, and to restore him to his father.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxi. 33-46.

At that time Jesus spoke this parable to the multitude of the Jews and the chief priests : There was a man a householder who planted a vineyard, and made a hedge round about it, and dug in it a press, and built a tower, and let it out to husband men : and went into a strange country. And when the time of the fruits drew nigh, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits thereof. And the husband men laying hands on his servants, beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants more than the former : and they did to them in like manner. And last of all he sent to them his son, saying : They will reverence my son. But the husbandmen seeing the son, said among themselves : This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and we shall have his inheritance. And taking him they cast him forth out of the vineyard, and killed him. When, therefore, the lord of the vineyard shall come, what will he do to those husbandmen? They say to Him : He will bring those evil men to an evil end :and will let out his vineyard to other husbandmen, that shall render him the fruit in due season. Jesus saith to them : Have you never read in the Scriptures : The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? By the Lord this hath been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes.  Therefore I say to you, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to a nation yielding the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken : but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they knew that He spoke of them. And seeking to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes: because they held Him as a prophet.
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Next: Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

THURSDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

GRANT us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the help of Thy grace, that we, dutifully engaged in fasting and prayer, may be freed from all enemies of body and soul. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Jer. xvii. 5-10.

Thus saith the Lord God : Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be like tamaric in the desert, and he shall not see when good shall come : but he shall dwell in dryness in the desert in a salt land, and not inhabited. Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence. And he shall be as a tree that is planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots towards moisture: and it shall not fear when the heat corneth. And the leaf thereof shall be green, and in the time of drought it shall not be solicitous, neither shall it cease at any time to bring forth fruit. The heart is perverse above all things, and unsearchable, who can know it? I am the Lord that search the heart and prove the reins : Who give to every one according to his way, and accord ing to the fruit of his devices, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Luke xvi. 19-31.

At that time Jesus said to the Pharisees : There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen : and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man s table, and no one did give him : moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham s bosom. And the rich man also died : and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom : and he cried, and said : Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his linger in water, to cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now lie is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is fixed a great chaos : so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither. And he said: Then, father, I beseech thee that thou wouldst send him to my father's house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torments. And Abraham said to him: They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. But he said : No, Father Abraham, but if one went to them from the dead, they will do penance. And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe if one rise again from the dead.
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Next: Friday in the Second Week of Lent

WEDNESDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent

Prayer.

regard Thy people, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and grant that we, whom Thou cornmandest to abstain from carnal food, may also cease from hurtful vices. Through Christ, etc.

EPISTLE. Esther xiii. 9-17.

In those days Mardochai prayed to the Lord, saying: O i, Lord, Almighty King, for all things are in Thy power, and there is none that can resist Thy will, if Thou determine to save Israel. Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven. Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist Thy majesty. Thou knowest all things, and Thou knowest that it was not out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Arnen.  (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet.) But I feared lest I should transfer the honor of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God. And now, O Lord, O King, O God of Abraham, have mercy on Thy people, because our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish Thy inheritance.  Despise not Thy portion, which Thou hast redeemed for Thyself out of Egypt. Hear my supplication, and be merciful to Thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise Thy name, O Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to Thee, O Lord our God.

GOSPEL. Matt. xx. 17-28.

At that time : Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart, and said to them : Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death. And they shall deliver Him to the gentiles to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified, and the third day He shall rise again. Then came to Him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of Him. Who said to her : What wilt thou ? She saith to Him : Say that these my two sons may sit, the one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left, in Thy kingdom. But Jesus answering, said : You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to Him : We can. He saith to them : My chalice indeed you shall drink : but to sit on My right or left hand, is not Mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by My Father.  And the ten hearing it, were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them to Him, and said : You know that the princes of the gentiles lord it over them : and they that are the greater exercise power upon them. It shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister. And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a redemption for many.
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Next: Thursday in the Second Week of Lent

TUESDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent

Prayer.

BE propitious, O Lord, to our prayers, and heal the desires of our souls, that, having received forgiveness, we may ever rejoice in Thy benediction. Through Christ our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE, in. Kings xvii. 8-16.

In those days: The word of the Lord came to Elias, the Thesbite, saying : Arise, and go to Sarephta a city of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed thee. He arose and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her : Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And when she was going to fetch it, he called after her, saying : Bring me also, I beseech thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand. And she answered : As the Lord thy God liveth, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruse : behold I am gathering two sticks that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it and die. And Elias said to her : Fear not, but go and do as thou hast said : but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth-cake, and bring it to me : and after make for thyself and thy son. For thus saith the Lord the God of Israel : The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruse of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth. She went and did according to the word of Elias : and he ate, and she and her house : and from that day the pot of meal wasted not, and the cruse of oil was not diminished, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke in the hand of Elias.

GOSPEL. Matt, xxiii. 1-12.

At that time Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying : The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do : but according to their works do ye not : for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men s shoulders: but with a finger of their own they will not move them. And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues, and salutations in the market-place, and to be called by men, Kabbi. But be not you called Rabbi. For One is your master, and all you are brethren. And call none your father upon earth : for One is your father Who is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters : for One is your master, Christ. He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Explanation.

The law of God imposes certain obligations on us. The priest and the teacher teach God s Gospel in His name, and we shall be judged if we refuse to believe God s truth and in His Church because our teachers may not practise what they preach.
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Next: Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent

MONDAY IN THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT

Monday in the Second Week of Lent

Prayer.

GRANT, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that Thy family, who, afflicting their flesh, abstain from food, by following justice may fast from sin. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE. Daniel ix. 15-19.

In those days Daniel prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, Who hast brought forth Thy people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand, and hast made Thee a name as at this day : we have sinned, we have committed iniquity, Lord, against all Thy justice : let Thy wrath and Thy indignation be turned away, I beseech Thee, from Thy city Jerusalem, and from Thy holy mountain. For by reason of our sins, and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem, and Thy people are a reproach to all that are round about us. Now, therefore, O our God, hear the supplication of Thy servant, and his prayers : and show Thy face upon Thy sanctuary which is desolate, for Thy own sake. Incline, O my God, Thy ear and hear: open Thy eyes, and see our desolation, and the city upon which Thy name is called : for it is not for our justifications that we present our prayers before Thy face, but for the multitude of Thy ten der mercies. O Lord, hear : O Lord, be appeased : hearken and do : delay not for Thy own sake, O my God : because Thy name is invoked upon Thy city, and upon Thy people.

GOSPEL. John viii. 21-29.

At that time Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews : I go, and you shall seek Me, and you shall die in your sin. Whither 1 go, you cannot come. The Jews therefore said : Will He kill Himself, because He said: Whither I go, you cannot come?  And He said to them : You are from beneath, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you, that you shall die in your sins. For if you believe not that I am He, you shall die in your sin. They said therefore to Him: Who art Thou? Jesus said to them: The beginning, Who also speak unto you. Many things I have to speak and to judge of you. But He that sent Me is true : and the things I have heard of Him, these same I speak in the world. And they understood not that He called God His Father. Jesus therefore said to them : When you shall have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as the Father hath taught Me, these things I speak : and He that sent Me is with Me, and He hath not left Me alone : for I do always the things that please Him.
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Next: Tuesday in the Second Week of Lent

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, CALLED "REMINISCERE"

Second Sunday of Lent, Called “Reminiscere”

AT the Introit to-day the Church asks of God the grace to fall "- no more into sin: “Remember, O God, Thy bowels of compassion, and Thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world, lest at any time our enemies rule over us; deliver us, O God, from all our tribulations. To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul. In Thee, O God, I put my trust, let me not be ashamed .”(Ps. xxiv.). Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who beholdest us destitute of every virtue, preserve us both inwardly and outwardly, that we may be defended from all adversities in body, and purified from all evil thoughts in mind. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, etc. Amen.

EPISTLE, i. Thess. iv. 1-7.

Brethren : We pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more.  For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification : that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor : not in the passion of lust, like the gentiles that know not God : and that no man overreach, nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before, and have testified : for God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Explanation.

St. Paul exhorts all Christians to live chastely and honestly, and continually to aspire to higher perfection. Such is the will of God, Who has called us to holiness, and will punish severely all impurity and injustice.

Prayer.

Grant, O Lord, that, according to my vocation, I may never be addicted to earthly and fleshly lusts like the heathen, who know Thee not, but may live in modesty, chastity, and holiness, and adorn my name as a Christian with good works. Amen.

GOSPEL. Matt. xvii. 1-9.

At that time : Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart : and He was transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun : and His garments became white as snow.  And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with Him. And Peter, answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here : if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.  And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshaded them. And lo a voice out of the cloud saying : This is My beloved Son, in Whom I arn well pleased : hear ye Him. And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face : and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them : and said to them :Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying : Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.

Why was Jesus transfigured before His disciples on Mount Thabor?
1.    To give them a manifest proof of His divinity. 2. To prevent all doubt on their part when they should see Him onMount Calvary. 3. To encourage all the faithful to patience under agony and suffering. 4. To show us how our glorified bodies shall rise from the dead (i. Cor. xv. 52).

 Why did Moses and Elias appear with Our Lord?
To testify that Jesus was the Saviour of the world spoken of by the law and the prophets.
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Next: Monday in the Second Week of Lent

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH, MARCH 19

Feast of St. Joseph

MARCH 19.

ST. JOSEPH was descended from the kingly line of David, and was a kinsman of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Matt. i. 1-16).  The Gospel gives him the praise of being just (Matt. i. 19), that is, a man distinguished for all virtues. And surely, as he was chosen from all other men by God to be the foster-father of His Son, he undoubtedly excelled, in virtues and sanctity, all saints then living. Of his youth nothing certain is known to us, and of his later life we know only what the Gospel relates.  He was a carpenter (Matt. xiii. 55), and lived at Nazareth, in Galilee (Luke ii. 4). Being espoused to Mary, he was inclined, upon learning that she was with child, to put her away privately, not wishing to expose her to public reproach ; but being instructed by an angel, he took her to himself, in obedience to the command of God, went with her to Bethlehem, and after wards, with Mary and the new-born child, fled, without timidity,  to Egypt (Matt. ii. 13). At the command of the angel he re turned thence, and again dwelt in Nazareth (Matt. ii. 23).  From this place they went every year to the feast at Jerusalem, where it happened that Jesus, then twelve years old, remained behind them in the temple, and was anxiously sought for by them. More than this is not told us. At the time of the marriage at Cana it would seem that he was no longer living, since there is no mention made of him. Though little is said of him, that little is rich in profitable instruction. How worthy to be admired and imitated is his example his chastity, his tender ness towards Mary, his forbearing to pronounce a judgment in regard to her condition when he could not explain it, his quick and unreserved obedience towards God and the commands of authority, his love for Jesus, and his care for both the mother and the child. On account of his sanctity God has specially distinguished him by miracles, and the Church honors him in a particular manner. In the Litany of the Saints he is named among the patriarchs, and the feast of his patronage is celebrated on the third Sunday after Easter. Venerate, therefore, St. Joseph ; choose him for your protector in life and in death, and make yourself worthy of his protection by following his example.

The Introit of the Mass is as follows :“ The just shall flour ish like the palm-tree ; he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus, planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. It is good to give praise to the Lord, and to sing to Thy name, O Most High” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, that what of our selves we are unable to obtain may be given to us by his inter cession. Who livest and reignest, etc.

EPISTLE. Ecclus. xlv. 1-6.

He was beloved of God and men : whose memory is in benediction. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and showed him His glory. He sanctified him in his faith and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh. For He heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud. And He gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction.

GOSPEL. Matt. i. 18-21.

When Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her : was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, be hold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying : Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife : for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost ; and she shall bring forth a Son : and thou shalt call His name JESUS : for He shall save His people from their sins.

Instruction.

To encourage us to veneration for St. Joseph St. Teresa wrote : “ I do not remember to have asked St. Joseph for any thing which he did not grant me. The great favors which God has granted me through him, and the many dangers of soul and body from which he has freed me, truly deserve admiration. It seems that God has granted to other saints the grace of assisting, in particular needs, those who invoke their intercession; but this glorious saint assists in all needs. The Lord seems thereby to indicate that, as He was subject to Joseph on earth, so now He grants him whatever he asks for. The same thing has been experienced by persons whom I have advised to recommend themselves to him” “ I would gladly advise every one” says St. Alphonsus, to have a great devotion towards this saint, since I have experienced what graces he can obtain from God.  For several years I have asked him, on his feast, for some particular grace, and every time my petition has been granted. As we all have to die, we should have a particular devotion towards St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy death ; for all Catholic Christians consider him to be an intercessor for the dying, and that he assists, at the hour of death, those who venerate him; and this for three reasons : 1. Because Jesus loves him not only as a friend, but as a father, on which account his inter cession is more powerful than that of any other saint. 2. Be cause St. Joseph obtained special power against the evil spirits who tempt us at the hour of death. 3. The assistance which Jesus and Mary gave to Joseph at the hour of his own death procured for him the right to obtain a holy and easy death for his depend ants. If in their dying hour they invoke his aid, not only will he assist them, but he will obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary.” Ought not these words of a great saint encourage you to venerate St. Joseph every day ? Should not the hope of dying one day under the protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, move you to devotion to the foster-father of Jesus?

Prayer to St. Joseph.

O most chaste Joseph, who, by thy purity and other exalted virtues, wast worthy to be chosen for the spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, I beseech thee, by the great graces of which thou wast made partaker, that thou wouldst, by thy intercession, obtain for all parents grace to rear their children piously ; for all married persons who are distressed and afflicted through poverty and tribulations consolation and encourage ment ; for all unmarried persons who have devoted their chastity to God the grace of perseverance; and, finally, for all the dying the grace to come, after a happy death, to thy fosterchild, Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.
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Next: Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, March 25

FEAST OF ST. PATRICK, BISHOP AND APOSTLE OF IRELAND, MARCH 17

Feast of St. Patrick, Bishop and Apostle of Ireland
MARCH 17.

ST.PATRICK was born towards the close of the fourth century, but the place of his birth is not positively known. Britain and Scotland both claim the honor, but the best authorities seem  to agree upon Brittany, in France. In his sixteenth year he was carried into captivity by certain barbarians, who took him into Ireland, where he was obliged to keep cattle on the mountains and in the forests, in hunger and nakedness, amidst snows, rain, and ice. The young man had recourse to God with his whole heart in fervent prayer and fasting : and from that time faith and the love of God acquired continually new strength in his tender soul. After six months spent in slavery under the same master St. Patrick was admonished by God in a dream to return to his own country, and informed that a ship was then ready to sail thither. He went at once to the seacoast, though at a great distance, and found the vessel. After three days sail they made land, but wandered twenty-seven days through deserts, and were a long while distressed for want of provisions.  Patrick assured the company that if they would address them selves with their whole hearts to the true God He would hear and succor them. They did so, and on the same day met with a herd of swine. From that time provisions never failed them, till on the twenty-seventh day they came into a country that was cultivated and inhabited.

Some years afterwards he was again led captive, but re covered his liberty after two months. When he was at home with his parents, God manifested to him, by divers visions, that He destined him to the great work of the conversion of Ireland.  The writers of his life say that after his second captivity he travelled into Gaul and Italy, and saw St. Martin, St. Germanus of Auxerre, and Pope Celestine, and that he received his mission and the apostolical benediction from this Pope, who died in 432.  Great opposition was made to his episcopal consecration and mission, both by his own relations and by the clergy; but the Lord, Whose will he consulted by earnest prayer, supported him, and he persevered in his resolution. He forsook his family, sold his birthright and dignity to serve strangers, and consecrated his soul to God, to carry His name to the ends of the earth. In this disposition he passed into Ireland to preach the Gospel, penetrating into the remotest corners ; and such was the fruit of his preachings and sufferings that he baptized an infinite number of people. He ordained everywhere clergymen, induced women to live in holy widowhood and continence, consecrated virgins to Christ, and instituted monks. He took nothing from the many thousands whom he baptized, but gave freely of his own, both to pagans and Christians, distributed large alms to the poor in the provinces where he passed, and maintained and educated many children, whom he trained to serve at the altar. The happy success of his labors cost him many persecutions. He died and was buried at Down, in Ulster. His body was found there in a church of his name in 1185, and translated to another part of the same church.

Introit of the Mass : “The Lord made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary and of His people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him forever. O Lord, remember David and all his meekness.” Glory be to the Father, etc.

Prayer.

O God, Who wast pleased to send blessed Patrick, Thy bishop and confessor, to preach Thy glory to the gentiles, grant that, by his merits and intercession, we may, through Thy grace, be enabled to keep Thy commandments. Through, etc.

EPISTLE. Ecclus. xliv. 17, 20, 22, 21 ; xlv. 3, 8, 20.

Behold, a great priest, who, in his days, pleased God, and was found just ; and in the time of wrath was made a reconciliation. There was not found one like him that kept the law of the Most High. Therefore with an oath the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings ; He preserved for him His mercy ; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He established with him an everlasting covenant, and gave him a great priesthood, and made him blessed in glory.  To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxv. 14-23.

At that time Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples : A man going into a far country called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability : and immediately he took his journey. And he that had received the five talents went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two. But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord s money. But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above. His lord said to him : Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things I will place thee over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the two talents came and said : Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me : be hold I have gained other two. His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant : because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
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Next: Feast of St. Joseph, March 19

SATURDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT--EMBER DAY

Saturday in the First Week of Lent—Ember Day

EPISTLE, i. Thess. v. 14-23.

BRETHREN: We beseech you, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man : but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern ing you all. Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good.  From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel and Prayer the same as those of to-morrow.
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Next: Second Sunday of Lent, Called "Reminiscere"

FRIDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT--EMBER DAY

Friday in the First Week of Lent—Ember Day

Prayer.

BE merciful, O Lord, to Thy people, and as Thou makest them devout to Thee, mercifully refresh them with kind assistance. Through Our Lord, etc.

EPISTLE. Ezech. xviii. 20-28.

Thus saith the Lord God : The soul that sinneth, the same shall die : the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, and the father shall not bear the iniquity of the son : the justice of the just shall be upon him and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked do penance for all his sins, which he hath committed, and keep all My commandments, and do judgment and justice, living he shall live, and shall not die. I will not remember all his iniquities that he hath done : in his justice which he hath wrought, he shall live.  Is it My will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not that he should be converted from his ways, and live? But if the just man turn himself away from his justice, and do iniquity according to all the abominations which the wicked man useth to work, shall he live? all his justices which he had done, shall not be remembered: in the prevarication, by which he hath prevaricated, and in his sin, which he hath committed, in them he shall die. And you have said : The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel : Is it My way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse?  For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and committeth iniquity, lie shall die therein : in the injustice that he hath wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment and justice : he shall save his soul alive. Be cause he considereth and turneth away himself from all his iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. John v. 1-15.

At that time there was a festival-day of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem a pond, called Probatica, which in Hebrew is named Bethsaida, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick, of blind, of lame, of withered, waiting for the moving of the water.  And an angel of the Lord descended at certain times into the pond: and the water was moved. And he that went down first into the pond after the motion of the water, was made whole of whatsoever infirmity he lay under. And there was a certain man there, that had been eight-and-thirty years under his infirmity. Him when Jesus had seen lying, and knew that he had been now a long time, He saith to him : Wilt thou be made whole ? The infirm man answered Him : Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pond.  For whilst I am corning, another goeth down before me.  Jesus saith to him : Arise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole : and he took up his bed and walked. And it was the Sabbath that day. The Jews therefore said to him that was healed: It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for thee to take up thy bed. He answered them :He that made me whole, He said to me : Take up thy bed, and walk. They asked him therefore: Who is that man who said to thee : Take up thy bed, and walk? But he who was healed, knew not who it was. For Jesus went aside from the multitude standing in the place. Afterwards Jesus findeth him in the temple, and saith to him : Behold thou art made whole : sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee. The man went his way, and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had made him whole.
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Next: Saturday in the First Week of Lent--Ember Day

THURSDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Thursday in the First Week of Lent

EPISTLE. Ezech, xviii. 1-9.

IN those days : The word of the Lord came to me, saying : What is the meaning, that you use among you this parable as a proverb in the land of Israel, saying : The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge? As I live, saith the Lord God, this parable shall be 110 more to you a proverb in Israel. Behold all souls are Mine : as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine : the soul that sinneth, the same shall die. And if a man be just, and do judgment and justice, and hath not eaten upon the mountains, nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel : and hath not defiled his neighbor s wife, nor come near to a menstruous woman : and hath not wronged any man : but hath restored the  pledge to the debtor, hath taken nothing away by violence : hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment : hath not lent upon usury, nor taken any increase : hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, and hath executed true judgment between man and man : hath walked in My commandments, and kept My judgments, to do according to truth : he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Matt. xv. 21-28.

At that time : Jesus went from thence, and retired into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold a woman of Canaan who came out of those coasts, crying out, said to Him : Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David : my daughter is grievously troubled by a devil. Who answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying : Send her away, for she crieth after us. And He answering, said : I was not sent but to the sheep that are lost of the house of Israel. But she came and adored Him, saying : Lord, help me. Who answer ing, said : It is not good to take the bread of the children, and to cast it to the dogs. But she said : Yea, Lord, for the whelps also eat of the crumbs that fall from the table of their masters.  Then Jesus answering, said to her : O woman, great is thy faith : be it done to thee as thou wilt : and her daughter was cured from that hour.

Prayer.

Look, O Lord, upon the devotion of Thy people, that we, who are afflicted in body by abstinence, may be refreshed in mind by the fruit of good works. Through Our Lord, etc.
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Next: Friday in the First Week of Lent-Ember Day.

WEDNESDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT--EMBER DAY

Wednesday in the First Week of Lent—Ember Day

EPISTLE, III. Kings xix. 3-8.

IN those days came Elias to Bersabee of Juda, and left his servant there, and he went forward one day s journey into the desert. And when lie was there, and sat under a junipertree, he requested for his soul that he might die, and said : It is enough for me, Lord, take away my soul : for I am no better than my fathers. And he cast himself down, and slept in the shadow of the juniper-tree: and behold an angel of the Lord touched him, and said to him: Arise and eat. He looked, and behold there was at his head a hearth-cake, and a vessel of water : and he ate and drank, and he fell asleep again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said to him : Arise, eat : for thou hast yet a great way to go. And he arose, and ate, and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights, unto the mount of God, Horeb.

GOSPEL. Matt. xii. 38-50.

At that time, some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Jesus, saying : Master, we would see a sign from Thee. Who answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign : and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was in the whale s belly three days and three nights : so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it : be cause they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here. The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it : because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here. And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places seek ing rest, and findeth none. Then he saith : I will return into my house from whence I came out. And coming he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there : and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation. As He was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold His Mother and His brethren stood without, seeking to speak to Him.  And one said unto Him : Behold Thy Mother and Thy brethren stand without, seeking Thee. But He answering him that told Him, said: Who is My Mother, and who are My brethren?And stretching forth His hand towards His disciples, He said :Behold My Mother and My brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of My Father, that is in heaven, he is My brother, and sister, and mother.

Prayer.

Mercifully hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and against all our adversaries extend the right hand of Thy majesty.  Through Christ, etc. Amen.
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Next: Thursday in the First Week of Lent

TUESDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

 

Tuesday in the First Week of Lent

EPISTLE. Isaias Iv. 6-11.

IN those days Isaias the prophet spoke, saying : Seek ye the Lord while He may be found : call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God : for He is bountiful to forgive.  For My thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are My ways exalted above your ways, and My thoughts above your thoughts. And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater : so shall My word be, which shall go forth from My mouth : it shall not return to Me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxi. 10-17.

At that time : When Jesus was come into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying: Who is this? And the people said: This is Jesus the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the chairs of them that sold doves : and He saith to them : It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer : but you have made it a den of thieves. And there came to Him the blind, and the lame in the temple ; and He healed them. And the chief priests and scribes seeing the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying : Hosanna to the son of David ; were moved with indignation, and said to Him: Hearest Thou what say? And Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read:Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings Thou hast perfected praise? And leaving them, He went out of the city into Bethania, and remained there.

Prayer.

Look down upon Thy family, O Lord, and grant that our minds, which are afflicted by the mortifications of the flesh, may shine in Thy light with the desire of Thee. Through Christ, etc.
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Next: Wednesday in the First Week of Lent--Ember Day

MONDAY IN THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

Monday in the First Week of Lent

EPISTLE. Ezech. xxxiv. 11-16.

THUS saith the Lord God : Behold I Myself will seek My sheep, and will visit them. As the shepherd visiteth his flock in the day when he shall be in the midst of his sheep that were scattered, so will I visit My sheep, and will deliver them out of all the places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and will gather them out of the countries, and will bring them to their own land : and I will feed them in the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the habitations of the land. I will feed them in the most fruitful pastures, and their pastures shall be in the high mountains of Israel : there shall they rest on the green grass, and be fed in fat pastures upon the mountains of Israel.  I will feed My sheep: and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost : and that which was driven away I will bring again : and I will bind up that which was broken, and I will strengthen that which was weak, and that which was fat and strong I will preserve : and I will feed them in judgment, saith the Lord Almighty.

GOSPEL. Matt. xxv. 31-46.

At that time Jesus said to His disciples : When the Son of man shall come in His majesty, and all the angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the seat of His majesty. And all nations shall be gathered together before Him, and He shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats : and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left. Then shall the King say to them that shall be on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I v/as hungry, and you gave Me to eat : I was thirsty, and you gave Me to drink : I was a stranger, and you took Me in : naked, and you covered Me : sick, and you visited Me : I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then shall the just answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see Thee hungry, and fed Thee; thirsty, and gave Thee drink? and when did we see Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and covered Thee? or when did we see Thee sick or in prison, and came to Thee? And the King answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me. Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand: Depart from Me, yon cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave Me not to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me not to drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me not in : naked, and you covered Me not : sick and in prison, and you did not visit Me. Then they also shall answer Him, saying: Lord, when did we see Thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to Thee? Then He shall answer them, saying : Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to Me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment, but the just into life everlasting.

Prayer.

Convert us, O God, our salvation ; and, that the fast of Lent may benefit us, instruct our minds with heavenly discipline.  Through Christ, etc.
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Next: Tuesday in the First Week of Lent