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Third Sunday of Easter Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/19/26 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Apollonius the Apologist; Second Century martyr whose defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church; he was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves; the Praetorian Prefect, Sextus Tigidius Perennis, arrested him, also putting the slave to death as an informer; Perennis demanded that Apollonius denounce the faith, and when he refused, the case was remanded to the Roman senate; there a debate took place between Perennis and Apollonius that clearly outlined the beauty and the value of Christianity; despite his eloquent defense, Apollonius was condemned and beheaded in 185 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/18/26 Gospel: John 6:16-21

Friday of the Second Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Robert of Chaise Dieu; Eleventh Century Benedictine abbot and founder; born in Auvergne, France, became a priest and canon of St. Julian's in Brioude; he then founded a hospice and became spiritual director of St. Odilo in Cluny; he eventually settled near Brioude, Auvergne, with a fellow hermit, a former knight named Stephen; there he attracted followers and built the abbey of Casa Dei to house the burgeoning community of three hundred monks; he died in 1067

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Bernadette Soubirous, 1844-1879; the recipient of the visions of Our Lady of Lourdes; born into a poor family in Lourdes, France; at 14, while gathering firewood, she encountered a beautiful lady in a grotto; after numerous additional apparitions, Bernadette asked the Lady her name, and she replied, "I am the Immaculate Conception"; a chapel was built at the site of the apparitions; in 1866, Bernadette took the religious habit of a postulant and joined the Sisters of Charity at their motherhouse at Nevers; but she contracted tuberculosis of the bone and died at the age of 35 while praying the rosary Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/16-26 Gospel: John 3:31-36

Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Hunna, "the holy washerwoman"; a noblewoman who devoted herself to the poor of Strasbourg, France, in the Seventh Century; she even washed the poor, hence her name; she died in 679 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/15/26 Gospel: John 3:16-21

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Peter Gonzales, 1190-1246; born in Spain, he entered the Dominicans and became chaplain and confessor of King St. Ferdinand of Castile; he preached a campaign against the Moors, and then cared for the captured Muslims; he also cared for sailors, who dubbed him Thelmo, after St. Elmo Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/14/26 Gospel: John 3:7b-15

Monday of the Second Week of Easter Optional Memorial of Pope St. Martin I; Seventh Century pope during the time of a popular heresy which held that Christ had no human will; Martin called a council in which documents supporting this heresy were censured, and the patriarch of Constantinople and two of his predecessors were condemned; the emperor ordered that Martin be brought to Constantinople, where he was submitted to various imprisonments, tortures, and hardships; he was condemned to death, but was saved by a repentant Paul, patriarch of Constantinople; Martin died shortly thereafter, in 655 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/13/26 Gospel: John 3:1-8

Second Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/12/26 Gospel: John 20:19-31

Saturday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Stanislaus of Krakow, 1030-1079; born near Krakow, Poland; educated and ordained at Gnesen; he soon he became noted for his preaching and became a much sought after spiritual adviser; he was successful in his reforming efforts, and in 1072 was named Bishop of Krakow; he denounced the cruelties and injustices of King Boleslaus, and excommunicated him; Boleslaus himself killed Stanislaus while the Bishop was saying Mass in a chapel outside the city Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/26/26 Gospel: Mark 16:9-15

Friday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Paternus; Eleventh Century Irish/Scottish hermit; born either in Ireland or Scotland and joined a monastery; going to Westphalia, he was one of the first monks to enter the Abdinghof Monastery under the leadership of St. Meinwerk; Paternus lived as a hermit in one of the cells; such was his obedience to the vow of enclosure that when a fire erupted in 1058 and engulfed Abdinghof, he would not leave his cell, and so burned to death; he was much honored by St. Peter Damian Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/10/26 Gospel: John 21:1-14

Thursday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Hugh of Rouen; Eighth Century Benedictine bishop of Rouen, Paris, and Bayeux, France, a nephew of Charles Martel and the son of Duke Drogo of Burgundy; he was named the bishop of Rouen in 722; he then moved to Paris and later to Bayeux; at the same time he was abbot of Fontenelles and Jumieges; at the close of his life, Hugh retired to Jumieges and died in 730 as a simple choir monk Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/9/26 Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: St. Julia Billiart, 1751-1816; she took a vow of virginity while young and worked so hard for the poor that she collapsed, remaining a cripple until 1804 when she was miraculously cured; she stayed in Amiens, where the Institute of Notre Dame was founded by Julia and pious friends in 1804; in 1809 she was forced to move to Namur, and the Motherhouse was instituted there; by the time of her death, there were fifteen convents in operation Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/8/26 Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: St. John Baptist de La Salle, 1651-1719; ordained a priest at age 27; he became interested in the creation of schools for poor boys in Rheims, where he was stationed; he threw himself wholeheartedly into the work; the remainder of his life was closely entwined with the community of religious men he founded, the Brothers of the Christian School (also called Christian Brothers or De La Salle Brothers); afflicted with asthma and rheumatism in his last years, he died on Good Friday, 1719, at age 68 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/7/26 Gospel: John 20:11-18

Monday in the Octave of Easter Saint of the Day: Pope St. Celestine I; founder of the papal diplomatic service; elected pope in 422, and battled the heresies of Nestorianism and Pelagianism; Celestine is believed to have sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431; Celestine died in 432 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/6/26 Gospel: Matthew 28:8-15

Easter Sunday - Solemnity Christ is risen! Alleluia, alleluia! Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/5/26 Gospel: John 20:1-9

Holy Saturday Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/4/26 Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Good Friday No mass is celebrated today Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/3/26 Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

Holy Thursday Saint of the Day: St. Abundius; Fifth Century bishop and noted theologian who was born in Thessaloncia; he became the bishop of Como, Italy, and attended the Council of Constantinople in 450; he was sent by Pope St. Leo I the Great to the Emperor Theodosius II as an envoy of the Holy See; his mission led to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and to the Council of Milan in 452; Abundius served as the pope's representative in such councils, clearly stating the Church's role and concerns; he died in 469 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/2/26 Gospel: John 13:1-15

Wednesday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. Hugh of Grenoble, 1053-1132; born in the Dauphine region, and became a canon of the Cathedral in Valence; he became bishop of Grenoble in 1080, and attempted a massive reform of the diocese, but was discouraged, and retired to Chaise Dieu Abbey, becoming a Benedictine; Pope Gregory VII ordered him to return to Grenoble; he gave St. Bruno the land on which the Grande Chartreuse was built, starting the Carthusians; Hugh died April 1, 1132 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/1/26 Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Tuesday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. Guy of Pomposa, 1008-1046; born in Ravenna, Italy, and gave everything to the poor; he spent three years as a hermit on an island in the Po River; he became the abbot of St. Severus, and a much sought after spiritual advisor Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/31/26 Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-28

Monday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. John Climacus, 525-606; called "Climacus" because of his famous book, "The Climax," or, "The Ladder of Perfection"; a Syrian or Palestinian who started his eremitical life at sixteen, living for many years as a hermit on Sinai, then went to Thale; he authored "The Ladder of Perfection" to provide a comprehensive treatise on the ideal of Christian perfection and the virtues and vices of the monastic life; elected abbot of the monks of Mt. Sinai at the age of seventy, and died on Mt. Sinai Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/30/26 Gospel: John 12:1-11

Palm Sunday Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/29/26 Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Tutilo; Ninth and Tenth Century Benedictine monk and artist; a member of the Benedictines at St. Gall, Switzerland, he distinguished himself through his abilities as a painter, sculptor, musician, poet, metalworker, and orator; he taught at the abbey school and was noted for his particular adherence to obedience; he died in 915 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/28/26 Gospel: John 11:45-56

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. John of Egypt; lived in the Fourth Century, and was one of the most famous early desert hermits, a noted prophet of his era; he was born in Egypt, and became a hermit at the age of 20; his hermitage had a single window opening to the public, from which he preached to vast crowds each weekend; he died in 394 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/27/26 Gospel: John 10:31-42

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Basil the Younger; Tenth Century hermit with gifts of prophecy; living near Constantinople, he was imprisoned and tortured as a spy; miracles and prophecies won him his freedom, and he returned to his hermitage with a disciple, Gregory; there he denounced the immorality of the aristocracy, including Princess Anastasia, an activity that brought him persecution; he died in 952 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/26/26 Gospel: John 8:51-59

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/25/26 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Aldemar; Eleventh Century abbot and miracle worker; born in Capua, Italy, and became a monk at Monte Cassino; Princess Aloara built a new convent, and Aldemar became the director of the religious in the established house; his abbot reassigned him to Monte Cassino, which angered the princess; there were even attempts on Aldemar's life; he fled, and established several more religious houses; he died in 1080 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/24/26 Gospel: John 8:21-30

Fifth Sunday of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/22/26 Gospel: John 11:1-45

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Enda; an Irishman, who became a monk and went on pilgrimage to Rome, where he was ordained; he returned to Ireland, built churches at Drogheda, and then secured from his brother-in-law King Oengus of Munster the island of Aran, where he built the monastery of Killeaney, from which ten other foundations on the island developed; with St. Finnian of Clonard, Enda is considered the founder of monasticism in Ireland Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/21/26 Gospel: John 7:40-53

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Photina; according to Greek legend, the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well; she took to preaching the Gospel, received imprisonment, and was finally martyred at Carthage; another tradition states that Photina was put to death in Rome after converting the daughter of Emperor Nero and one hundred of her servants; she supposedly died in Rome with her sons Joseph and Victor, along with several other Christians Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/20/26 Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/19/26 Gospel: Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Cyril of Jerusalem; Fourth Century bishop; 24 of his catechetical instructions survive; he spent 16 of his 35 years as bishop in exile, the first inflicted by Acacius, Bishop of Caesarea, an ardent Arian who claimed jurisdiction over Jerusalem Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/18/26 Gospel: John 5:17-30

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Patrick; born in 387 in Roman Britain; kidnapped and forced into slavery at age 16; he escaped Ireland and returned to Scotland, but soon became aware that he longed to minister to the Irish people; he returned to his old master, paid his own ransom, and began preaching the word of God; he is said to have baptized thousands, converted wealthy women and their sons, as well as ordained priests to carry on his work; over fifteen hundred years later, his legacy remains Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/17/26 Gospel: John 5:1-16

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Finian Lobhar; Sixth Century Irish abbot, a disciple of St. Columba; tradition credits him with founding a church and monastery at Innisfallen; after a stay in Clonmore, Finian Lobhar became abbot of Swords Abbey near Dublin; he may have returned to Clonmore in his later years; he became known as "Lobhar"--"the leper"--because he had contracted leprosy from a young boy whom he had cured of the disease; Finian died in 560 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/16/26 Gospel: John 4:43-54

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/15/26 Gospel: John 9:1-41

Saturday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Boniface Curitan; Seventh Century evangelist to the Picts and Scots; probably a Roman by birth, Boniface was the bishop of Ross, England; he introduced Roman observances into the British territories and founded a vast number of parishes; he died in 660 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/14/26 Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Friday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Euphrasia of Constantinople, 380-410; a noble Roman; her mother entered a convent in Egypt, and Euphrasia, at the age of five, went with her; at the age of twelve, orphaned, she was commanded by Emperor Arcadius to marry a senator but received permission to give her wealth to the poor and remain a nun; she was known for her holiness Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/13/26 Gospel: Mark 12:28-34

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Peter of Nicomedia; Fourth Century chamberlain at the court of Emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia; arrested for being a Christian when the last great persecution of the Church was launched; he was tortured, and eventually martyred in 303 A.D.; he is ranked as one of the first victims of the last persecution by the Roman Empire Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/12/26 Gospel: Luke 11:14-23

Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Eulogius of Cordoba; Ninth Century Martyred priest of Cordoba, Spain, slain by the Moors, after his arrest in 850; Eulogius was a noted scholar of Scripture he wrote Exhortation to Martyrdom for two young virgin martyrs, Flora and Mary, who were beheaded; released, Eulogius was named archbishop of Cordoba or Toledo; before being consecrated, he aided Leocritia, a young Moorish woman who had converted to Christianity; they were caught and beheaded in 859 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/11/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:17-19

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Macarius of Jerusalem; Fourth Century bishop of Jerusalem who helped St. Helena to locate the True Cross; when Helena discovered three crosses in Jerusalem, Macarius suggested that a seriously ill woman be touched with each one; one cured the woman instantly, and was identified as the True Cross; Macanus built a church over Christ’s sepulcher which was consecrated as a basilica; Macarius died in 335 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/10/26 Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35

Monday of the Third Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Frances of Rome, 1384-1440; at the age of 12, she was arranged to marry Lorenzo Ponziani; the marriage lasted forty years and bore three children; Frances’ two daughters were killed, her husband seriously wounded, and her son nearly escaped ransom; these events led her into deep prayer and a life of service; caring for the sick and poor of the city, Frances turned part of her family estate into a hospital, and she eventually founded the Olivetan Oblates of Mary, a group of pious women not cloistered or vowed but serving the needs of their community through prayer and acts of charity; after her husband’s death, Frances moved into the monastery and became its president Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/9/26 Gospel: Luke 4:24-30

Third Sunday of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/8/26 Gospel: John 4:5-42