* * *** St. Catherine (1347-1380) was a Third Order Dominican, mystic, activist, and author.

— St. Catherine wrote letters to rulers and clergy in defense of the Church and her influence proved to be significant. She was instrumental in the return of Pope Gregory XI from Avignon to Rome, ending the “Avignon Papacy.” Her short life is an example of courage; in word and deed, St. Catherine displayed her […]

* * *** We remember St. Mark, the great evangelist and martyr.

“And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, […]

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“He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and […]

* * *** “And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'” (Lk 23:34)

**The day of solemn and prayerful remembrance — we mourn the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

* * *** “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:24)

— The Sacred Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The evening Mass commemorates the principal events that took place during the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples prior to his arrest: Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood, and also gave us the New Commandment.

* * *** “Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.” (Mt 26:14-16)

— Spy Wednesday marks the day when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, the “spy” for the chief priests. — Today, some churches offer ‘Tenebrae’ (Latin for darkness): a solemn service focusing on the story of Christ’s Passion; psalms and readings are chanted by candlelight. For a live Tenebrae Solemn Service this evening, please visit: www.cantius.org

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“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! […]

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— All that He endured for us… Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, April 10

* * *** “And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!… He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.'” (Lk 1:28,32-33)

— The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated as one of the highest ranking liturgical feasts. Mary’s consent to God’s Word, that she would be Mother of the Incarnate Son of God, played a crucial role in the redemptive work of her Son, Jesus Christ, for all of humanity.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife.” (Mt 1:24)

— Tomorrow we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the highest order of liturgical feast. St. Joseph, so just and humble, was completely obedient to God. As protector of Jesus and Mary, he played an exceptional role in God’s plan of salvation. Saint Joseph is commemorated in the Roman […]

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