Daybreak

Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/2/21 Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

Holy Thursday, celebrating the institution of the Eucharist, and of the sacramental priesthood Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 4/1/21 Gospel: John 13:1-15

Wednesday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. Benjamin, 329-424; deacon who suffered for the faith during a general persecution in Persia; tortured and martyred Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/31/21 Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

Tuesday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. John Climacus, 525-606; received his name from the title of his book, “The Climax,” or, “The Ladder of Perfection”; lived for many years as a hermit on Mount Sinai; eventually was elected abbot of the monks of Mount Sinai at the age of 70 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/30/21 Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

Monday of Holy Week Saint of the Day: St. Berthold; believed to be the founder of the Carmelite order; found a group of hermits on Mount Carmel, joined them, and established a rule; headed the Carmelites for 45 years; died 1195 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/29/21 Gospel: John 12:1-11

Palm Sunday; also known as Passion Sunday; the beginning of Holy Week Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/28/21 Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. John of Egypt; Fourth Century desert hermit, noted prophet of his era; preached to crowds every weekend; died 394 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/27/21 Gospel: John 11:45-56

Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Margaret Clitherow, 1555-1586; English convert to the Catholic faith from Protestantism; harbored fugitive priests during the English persecution; arrested, imprisoned, and pressed to death Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/26/21 Gospel: John 10:31-42

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/25/21 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Aldemar; born in Capua, Italy, a monk of Monte Cassino; Princess Aloara built a new convent in Capua, and made Aldemar the director of religious; his superior reassigned him to Monte Cassino, angering the princess; Aldemar escaped death threats and founded several more religious houses; died 1080 Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/24/21 Gospel: John 8:31:42

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Turibius de Mongrovejo, 1538-1606; born in Spain, studied law, and was appointed archbishop of Lima, Peru; devoted himself to reforming the archdiocese and giving aid to native peoples suffering under Spanish occupation; patron of native rights, Latin American bishops, and of Peru Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/23/21 Gospel: John 8:21-30

Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Nicholas Owen, 1550-1606; Jesuit lay brother who helped to hide priests during the English persecution; arrested in 1594, but ransomed by a wealthy Catholic; arrested again in 1606, and died of torture Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/22/21 Gospel: John 8:1-11

Fifth Sunday of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/21/21 Gospel: John 12:20-33

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Cuthbert, 634-687; prior of Melrose Abbey; in 685, elected bishop of Hexham, but swapped sees with St. Eata, and became bishop of Lindisfarn; gifted with miracles and prophecy; spent the last two years of his life caring for the sick of the plague which decimated his diocese Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/20/21 Gospel: John 7:40-53

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

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-386; bishop and doctor of the church; while bishop of Jerusalem, he was condemned by the Arians and driven from the city, but later vindicated; at the Council of Constantinople, he accepted the word, “consubstantial,” referring to Christ being of the same substance or nature as the Father; the Council praised him as a champion of orthodoxy Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/18/21 Gospel: John 5:31-47

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Commemoration of St. Patrick, 415-493; a Roman Briton who was captured and forced in slavery in Ireland; he underwent a spiritual conversion, and escaped; consecrated a bishop at the age of 43, and was sent to do mission work in pagan Ireland, which responded in a relatively short time Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/17/21 Gospel: John 5:17-30

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Finian Lobhar; Sixth Century Irish abbot, a disciple of St. Columba; founded a church and monastery at Innisfallen; abbot of Swords Abbey near Dublin; called “Lobhar”–or “the leper”–because he had cured a young boy of the disease; died 560 A.D. Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/16/21 Gospel: John 5:1-16

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent Saint of the Day: St. Louise de Marillac, 1591-1660; wanted to be a nun, but was advised to marry; after being widowed, she worked with St. Vincent de Paul, serving the sick, poor, and neglected; founded what became the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; established over 40 houses in France Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/15/21 Gospel: John 4:43-54

Fourth Sunday of Lent Office of Readings and Morning Prayer for 3/14/21 Gospel: John 9:1-41