Catholic Missal of the day: Saturday, March 16 2019
Saturday of the First week of Lent
Saturday of the First week of Lent
1. ReadingBook of Deuteronomy
26,16-19.]Moses spoke to the people, saying: "This day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul.
]Today you are making this agreement with the LORD: he is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice.
]And today the LORD is making this agreement with you: you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you; and provided you keep all his commandments,
]he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made, and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised."
Psalms
119(118),1-2.4-5.7-8.]Blessed are they whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD.
]Blessed are they who observe his decrees,
Who seek him with all their heart.
]You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
]Oh, that I might be firm in the ways
of keeping your statutes!
]I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I have learned your just ordinances.
]I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew
5,43-48.]Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
]But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
]that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
]For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
]And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
]So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
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 2019 / Catholic Missal of march 2019
Published: 2026-07-14T18:16:37Z | Modified: 2026-07-14T18:16:37Z