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Saturday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: Pope St. Hilary; on the death of Pope Leo the Great, Hilary was elected pope; he worked to strengthen the Church in France and Spain; he rebuilt many Roman churches and erected the chapel of St. John Lateran; Hilary consolidated the Church in Sandi, Africa, and Gaul; he died in Rome on February 28, 468 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/28/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

Friday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Anne Line, 1563-1601; disowned by her father after she married a Catholic, Robert Line; Robert was arrested, exiled, and died in Flanders, Belgium; Anne remained in England, where she hid Catholic priests in a London safe house until her arrest; she was hanged in Tyburn Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/27/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26

Thursday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Isabel of France, 1225-1270; sister of St. Louis and daughter of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche of Castile; she refused offers of marriage to continue her life of virginity consecrated to God; she ministered to the sick and the poor, and after the death of her mother, founded the Franciscan Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary; she lived there in austerity, but never became a nun and refused to become abbess; she died there in 1270 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/26/26 Gospel: Matthew 7:7-12

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Victorinus; Third Century citizen of Corinth, Greece, he was exiled with a group of fellow Christians to Egypt during the persecutions under Emperor Numerian; Victor and the others had been exiled in 249 and lived in Egypt; under Governor Sabinus they were arrested again, brutally tortured, and finally executed at Diospolis in 284 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/25/26 Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Adela, 1067-1137; youngest daughter of William the Conqueror; in 1080 she married Stephen of Blois; throughout her life, Adela had an active role in English politics; she was famed for endowing churches and monastic institutions Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/24/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Monday of the First Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Polycarp, 69-155; a letter addressed to him by St. Ignatius tells him to care for the Church and his own surviving epistle shows he encouraged the Philippians on the path of righteousness; St. Iraneus praises his defense of orthodoxy and his energy in combating heresy; during a visit to Rome, St. Polycarp spoke to the bishop, Anicetus, who agreed to let the Eastern churches calculate the date of Easter in their own way; Polycarp was arrested and martyred during a pagan festival in Smyrna, when he refused to deny Christ Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/23/26 Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46

First Sunday of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/22/26 Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Saturday after Ash Wednesday Commemoration of St. Peter Damian, 1007-1072; born in Italy, and joined a Benedictine hermitage, eventually becoming its prior; he wrote against simony, wantonness, and worldliness among religious leaders; upon his consecration as Bishop, St. Peter Damian stressed even more the importance of a unified Church and a morally exemplary clergy Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/21/26 Gospel: Luke 5:27-32

Friday after Ash Wednesday Saint of the Day: St. Wulfric, 1080-1154; born in England, became a priest, and was excessively materialistic and worldly; after meeting with a beggar, he became a hermit, and devoted himself to rigorous austerities' he was known for his miracles and prophecies; Wulfric was a very popular saint during the Middle Ages, and his tomb was visited by many pilgrims Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/20/26 Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15

Thursday after Ash Wednesday Saint of the Day: St. Barbatus of Benevento, 612-682; born in Italy, ordained in Marcona; he was sent to Benevento, where he evangelized and converted many; when the assault of the Byzantine emperor ended and peace came, Barbatus was named bishop of Benevento; he attended the Council of Constantinople in 680, and died in Benevento in 682 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/19/26 Gospel: Luke 9:22-25

Ash Wednesday - The Beginning of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/18/26 Gospel: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Tuesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time - "Fat Tuesday" Optional Memorial of the Seven Founders of the Servite Order; they founded this order in 1240, striving for personal sanctification, world evangelism, and an increase in Marian devotion; the Servite Order grew quickly, to Europe, South Asia, and North America; their devotions include The Rosary of the Seven Dolours and the Via Matris Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/17/26 Gospel: Mark 8:14-21

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Onesimus; First Century martyr and former slave whose story is told by St. Paul in his letter to Philemon; Onesimus had been a slave of Philemon, but escaped; Paul met him in prison, where he baptized him; Paul wrote to Philemon, asking him to take Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ; Onesimus died in about 68 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/16/26 Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/15/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37

Saturday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of Saints Cyril and Methodius; Ninth Century monk and bishop, respectively; brothers who had appointments in the Byzantine civil service before embracing monastic life; they were sent as missionaries to Moravia, where they translated the liturgical books into the Slavonic language; Cyril died in Rome in 869; Methodius returned to Moravia, where he was later appointed archbishop; before his death in 884, Methodius had translated almost the entire Bible into Slavonic; Pope John Paul named them patrons of Europe, along with St. Benedict Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/14/26 Gospel: Mark 8:1-10

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Catherine Ricci, 1522-1589; entered the convent of the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany, in her fourteenth year; while very young, she was chosen Mistress of Novices, then subprioress, and at twenty-five years of age she became perpetual prioress; her sanctity drew many to her side, including three who would later serve as pope; she experienced the "Ecstacy of the Passion" each week from Thursday noon until Friday at 4 p.m. for twelve years Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/13/26 Gospel: Mark 7:31-37

Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Julian the Hospitaller; lived in the Fourth Century; legend has it that he killed his noble parents in a case of mistaken identity; he thought that his wife was with another man, so he struck them both in bed; shortly after, his wife returned from church; in penance, they went to Rome and received absolution; Julian founded an inn and hospital for the poor, and even gave his bed to a leper--who turned out to be an angel Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/12/26 Gospel: Mark 7:24-30

Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes; in 1858 in Lourdes, France, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous; eventually, thousands gathered around her to witness the events, including the appearance of a new, surging spring (still present today) from which Bernadette drank; today, millions visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes annually Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/11/26 Gospel: Mark 7:14-23

Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Scholastica, 480-543; sister of St. Benedict; she founded and ran a nunnery in the Benedictine tradition; as Abbess, Saint Scholastica aided in the spiritual formation of many holy sisters; God answered her with thunder and storms when she pleaded Him to convince her brother to prolong their annual visit; St. Benedict stayed, due to tremendous rains, and three days later Saint Scholastica died Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/10/26 Gospel: Mark 7:1-13

Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Raynald of Nocera, 1150-1225; Benedictine bishop who served the order in various capacities until receiving appointment as bishop of Nocera in 1222; owing to his excellent service in that capacity, he is considered the patron of Nocera Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/9/26 Gospel: Mark 6:53-56

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/8/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16

Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Paul Miki and companions, the Japanese martyrs; in 1587, Japan issued an edict of persecution against Christians; St. Paul Miki and his companions were arrested and martyred on the hill of Nagasaki in 1597 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/6/26 Gospel: Mark 6:14-29

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Agatha, 231-251; an early Christian martyr from Catania, Sicily; she pledged her virginity to Christ and after refusing to compromise was killed; by the 5th century, she was highly venerated for her purity and goodness; patron saint of breast ailments Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/5/26 Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Andrew Corsini, 1302-1374; born to a powerful family in Florence; lived a wild youth, but was converted by his mother and became a Carmelite; after his studies, he returned to his birthplace and became known as a prophet and miracle worker; he was named bishop of Fiesole in 1349; he was sent by Pope Urban V to Bologna to settle disputes between the nobles and commoners, a mission he performed well.; Andrew died in Fiesole in 1373. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/4/26 Gospel: Mark 6:1-6

Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Blaise; a good bishop of Sebastea, Armenia, but was forced to flee to the back country due to persecution; he lived as a hermit, and made friends with wild animals; when hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat; at Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Blaise was martyred in 316 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/3/26 Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/2/26 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 2/1/26 Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. John Bosco, 1815-1888; studied theology at Turin; after ordination, he served the dislocated people from the countryside who found themselves in the midst of urbanization; in 1854, he founded the Salesian order, focused on creating solutions for displaced youth; he developed vocational training programs and schools; he also collaborated in the founding of Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/31/26 Gospel: Mark 4:35-41

Friday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Bathildis, 626-680; born in England; she was enslaved, and taken to Neustria, a part of the Frankish kingdom; in time, she became a trusted member of the court of King Clovis II, and married him in 649; she bore him three sons, all of whom became kings; when Clovis died in 657, Bathildis served as regent for Clotaire III; she had founded a Benedictine convent at Chelles, as well as St. Denis Monastery and Corbie; when Clotaire III assumed the throne, Bathildis retired to Chelles, where she died Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/30/26 Gospel: Mark 4:26-34

Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Dallan; Dallan Forgaill was a Sixth Century kinsman of St. Edan of Ferns, born in Connaught, and a great scholar; through his application to study, he became blind; he wrote a poem in honor of St. Columba, which was only published after Columba's death; legend has it that, upon its publication, Dallan's sight was restored to him; Dallan was murdered by pirates in 598, and his head thrown into the sea; it was recovered, and miraculously reunited with his body Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/29/26 Gospel: Mark 4:21-25

Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274; the "Angelic Doctor"; born in Aquino, Italy, became a Dominican, and studied under St. Albert the Great; he wrote the Summa theologiae and much of the liturgy for the feast of Corpus Christi; he is considered one of the greatest minds of the Church Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/28/26 Gospel: Mark 4:1-20

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Angela Merici, 1474-1540; born in Italy, orphaned in her teens; as a young woman, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis; at age 60, Angela and 12 other women began the Company of St. Ursula; this was a new way of life--single women consecrated to Christ and living in the world rather than in a monastery, what is today known as a "Secular Institute"; Angela died in Brescia, Italy; in the early 1600s, Companies that had expanded into France were re-organized into the religious Order of St. Ursula, to teach girls Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/27/26 Gospel: Mark 3:31-35

Monday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus; great men of the First Century, companions and disciples of St. Paul; Timothy accompanied St. Paul on his second missionary journey and was entrusted to aid the Thessalonians, Corinthians and Ephesians; Titus is addressed as St. Paul’s ‘true child after a common faith’ and was called to missionary work in Crete Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/26/26 Gospel: Mark 3:22-30

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/25/26 Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, 1567-1622; born in Savoy, France, and as bishop devoted his work to implementing the decrees of the Council of Trent; also co-founded the Visitandines, with St. Jane Francis de Chantal; among his most read and revered writings are Introduction to the Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/24/26 Gospel: Mark 3:20-21

Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of St. Marianne Cope, 1838-1918; born in Germany, emigrated to Utica, New York, and joined the the Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Syracuse, New York; she was twice elected provincial; in 1835, along with six other sisters, she went to Hawaii to take charge of the receiving station outside of Honolulu for people suspected of having leprosy; in 1888, Mother Marianne and two sisters went to Molokai to open a home for “unprotected women and girls” there; she took charge of the home that Saint Damien de Veuster had established for men and boys; her sisters have attracted vocations among the Hawaiian people and still work on Molokai Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/23/26 Gospel: Mark 3:13-19

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/22/26 Gospel: Mark 3:7-12

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Agnes, virgin and martyr, 291-304; venerated since the Fourth Century in Rome; various early legends make it difficult to discern details of her martyrdom, but she was young and heroic; after her death, Constantine's daughter erected a basilica over her grave; she is mentioned in the Roman Canon of the mass, and early Church Fathers praised her virtue Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/21/26 Gospel: Mark 3:1-6

Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Optional Memorial of Pope St. Fabian, 200-250; a Roman layman who came to the city as a new pope was about to be elected; a dove landed on his head, it was taken as a sign, and Fabian was elected unanimously; he led the Church for 14 years and died a martyr’s death during the persecution of Decius Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/20/26 Gospel: Mark 2:23-28

Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Saint of the Day: St. Henry of Uppsala, 1100-1156; an Englishman who accompanied Cardinal Nicholas Breakspear to Sweden and Norway in 1151; there he was made the bishop of Uppsala, Sweden; he accompanied King St. Eric of Sweden on a military campaign to Finland, never leaving that land again; Henry was murdered in Finland in 1156 by an excommunicate named Lalli Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/19/26 Gospel: Mark 2:18-22

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/18/26 Gospel: John 1:29-34

Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time Memorial of St. Anthony, the Abbot, 251-356; born in Egypt, and felt called to give away all his possessions, follow Christ, and become a hermit; his spirituality attracted many followers; during the Arian controversy, St. Anthony supported the Nicene party and became friends with St. Athanasius, who would later write The Way of St. Antony Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 1/17/26 Gospel: Mark 2:13-17