Wednesday of the Third week of Lent

Book of Deuteronomy

4,1.5-9.

Moses spoke to the people and said: "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the LORD, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.
Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, 'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?"
"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children's children."

Psalms

147,12-13.15-16.19-20.

Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew

5,17-19.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

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St. Zachary(Pope (+ 752))

SAINT ZACHARY Pope (+ 752) St. Zachary succeeded Pope Gregory III in 741. Zachary came to be pope through his humility and abounding love for God. He loved the clergy and Roman people so dearly that he risked his life to save them during the rebellion of the Dukes of Spoleto and Benevento against King Luitprand. Out of respect for Pope Zachary's selflessness and goodness, the king restored all the Church's properties and sent back the captives without ransom. Many Lombards were converted when Pope Zachary offered the Holy Mass and administered the sacraments. He also enacted wholesome regulations that settled the discipline and peace of several churches. St. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, appealed to Pope Zachary against a certain priest named Virgilius, who labored to sow the seeds of discord between him and Odilo, Duke of Bavaria. Pope Zachary ordered that Virgilius be sent to Rome to examine the latter's teaching and doctrine. It seems Virgilius cleared his name because he was later consecrated Bishop of Salzburg. When certain Venetian merchants brought slaves to Rome to sell to the Moors in Africa, Pope Zachary forbade the trafficking. He paid the merchants their price and set the slaves free. Pope Zachary also adorned Rome with sacred buildings, foundations for the poor and pilgrims, and gave a considerable sum every year for oil in the lamps of St. Peter's Church. Pope Zachary passed away in March 752. He was canonized for his heroic virtues and the miracles proceeding from his intercession.

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St. Louise of Marillac (1591-1660)()

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Saint Louise of Marillac (1591-1660) St. Louise de Marillac was born in France, on August 12, 1591. She was educated by the Dominican nuns at Poissy. She desired to become a nun, but on the advice of her confessor, she married Antony LeGras, an official in the Queen's service, in 1613. After Antony's death in 1625, Louise met St. Vincent de Paul, who became her spiritual adviser. She devoted the rest of her life to working with him. She helped direct his Ladies of Charity in their work of caring for the sick, the poor and the neglected. In 1633, she set up a training center in her own home for candidates seeking to help in her work. This was the beginning of the Sisters (or Daughters, as Vincent preferred) of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul; though it was not formally approved until 1655. Sr. Louise took her vows in 1634 and attracted great numbers of candidates. She wrote a rule for the community, and in 1642, Vincent allowed four of the members to take vows. Formal approval placed the community under Vincent and his Congregation of the Missions, with Louise as Superior. Sr. Louise traveled all over France establishing her Sisters in hospitals, orphanages and other institutions. Since then, the Congregation has spread all over the world. St. Louise of Marillac wascanonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, and was declared Patroness of Social Workers by Pope John XXIII in 1960.

misalcatolico.com

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Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2023 / Catholic Missal of march 2023