Catholic Missal of the day: Wednesday, March 16 2016
Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent
Wednesday of the Fifth week of Lent
1. ReadingBook of Daniel
3,14-20.91-92.95.]King Nebuchadnezzar said: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up?
]Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands?"
]Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
]If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us!
]But even if he will not, know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up."
]Nebuchadnezzar's face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual
]and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.
]King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.
]"But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God."
]Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
Book of Daniel
3,52.53.54.55.56.]Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
and blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
]Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim;
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
]Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven,
praiseworthy and glorious forever.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John
8,31-42.]Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
]and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
]They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?"
]Jesus answered them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
]A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains.
]So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free.
]I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you.
]I tell you what I have seen in the Father's presence; then do what you have heard from the Father."
]They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works of Abraham.
]But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this.
]You are doing the works of your father!" (So) they said to him, "We are not illegitimate. We have one Father, God."
]Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.
St. Heribert(Archbishop (c. 970-1021))
Saint HeribertArchbishop (c. 970-1021) St. Heribert was the son of Hugo, the count of Worms, Germany. He was educated at the Worms Cathedral and at the Benedictine Gorze Abbey in Lorraine, France. He later returned to Worms Cathedral, became provost and was ordained in 994. In 994, St. Heribert was appointed chancellor of Italy by Otto III. In 998, he was consecrated archbishop of Cologne. He became the chancellor of Germany that year and served until Otto's passing on January 23, 1002. St. Heribert also counselled Emperor Henry and mediated on the latter's behalf. St. Heribert built the monastery of Deutz on the Rhine and wrought miracles. The miracle he is best known for is ending a drought. Hepassed away in Cologne on March 16, 1021, and was buried in Deutz. He was canonized by Pope St. Gregory VII in 1074.
St. Abraham and St. Mary(Religious (4th century))
SAINT ABRAHAM, Hermit ( c. 360) and SAINT MARY ( c. 365) St. Abraham was a rich nobleman from Edessa, modern-day Turkey. He married to appease his parents; and immediately retired to a monastery's cell. He served as a religious for fifty years and donated his inheritance to the poor. St. Abraham was ordained a priest by Edessa's bishop. He served as a spiritual director and missionary. When he evangelized overseas, he was insulted, beaten and banished three times. Many received baptism during his three-year ministry. St. Abraham spoke with God at every moment of the day. His apostolate was an overflow of the interior life (St. Josemaria Escriva). He sometimes listened as a form of prayer: where God's voice echoes in the depths of the conscience (CCC). He prayed after waking up, in the afternoon, and during visits to the oratory. St. Abraham's brother passed away and left an only daughter, Mary. St. Abraham raised her for 20 years until she fell into sin and fled. After two years of searching, he and St. Ephrem found her and brought her home. Mary attained sanctity and received the gift of miracles. St. Abraham passed away in 360 followed by Mary five years later.
St. Finnian Lobhar(Abbot († c. 560))
Saint Finnian Lobhar Abbot( c. 560) St. Finnian was born in Bregia, Leinster, Ireland. He was a disciple of St. Columba and received training at the latter's monastery. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Fathlad. St. Finnian miraculously cured a youth suffering from leprosy. Historical accounts of his deeds are extant as well as the institutes he founded. His name Lobhar, "the leper," indicates he had a skin condition. In the context of sainthood, he healed spiritual illnesses through prayer and his priestly ministry. After serving in Clonmore, St. Finnian became the abbot of Swords Abbey near Dublin. He may have relocated to Clonmore later. Tradition credits him with founding a church in Innisfallen and a monastery in Ardfinnian.
Category: Mass by Year / Catholic Missal 2016 / Catholic Missal of march 2016
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:09Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:09Z