Lenten Calendar

DAY 1: Ash Wednesday (Fast and Abstinence)
"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou wast taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return. "(Gen. 3:19)
Begin Lent with confession. You need not wait until Sunday. Stop by the rectory or go before Mass. Humbly pray to God to cleanse you of spirtual disease and sickness. Pray to St. Joseph to assist you with your Lenten fasts and mortifications.

DAY 2: Thursday
Thank Jesus for giving Himself to you in the Blessed Sacrament and try to attend Mass more frequently -- with better assistance (will and intellect). If you cannot make Mass, recite a prayer of Spiritual Communion.

DAY 3: Friday (Abstinence)
Make the Stations of the Cross, slowly, and think of the sufferings of Jesus. "We adore Thee O Christ and we Bless Thee. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world."
Read the account of The Passion According to Saint Matthew (Mt. 26:36-27: 54)

DAY 4: Saturday
Saturday is Our Lady's day. It has been for centuries. Pray Her Rosary today in reparation for the sins committed against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her Immaculate Heart. Consecrate your soul, and all those whom you love, to her Immaculate Heart.

Meditation: The Prophesy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-34)

First Sunday

Rest! It's good for you and most importantly, it's God's Law -- "...Every one that shall do work on this day, shall die." (Exodus 31:12-15) Rest every Sunday! Spend the day with God, your family and those whom you love. Do not allow excuses for work on this day -- it is His day -- not yours.

Pray for Wisdom. (Prov. 8:11)

DAY 5: Monday
Today think of Saint Frances of Rome. She was wealthy. Yet she visited the poor and sick. Do you know someone poor or sick you can visit today? Visiting the sick is a Temporal Work of Mercy.

DAY 6: Tuesday
The power or effectiveness of prayer is directly related to your love for God (Psa. 33:16-18, Prov. 28:9) and those who you ask to intercede for you. (James 5:16) Do you have a devotion to a particular saint? Pray to them, asking for your submission to Divine Providence. God's design is such that many, many graces depend upon your prayers. Ensure you set aside fifteen minutes for Mental Prayer (meditation).

DAY 7: Wednesday
Go through the house of your soul. Take an inventory of the clutter and chaos. Identify and remove what hinders you from becoming a saint. Daily meditation on Christ will be the light you need.

DAY 8: Thursday
Today, consider the Last Four Things: death, judgement, heaven and hell. There are only two moments that are of concern in this world -- Now and the Hour of Your Death. "You shall pass this way but once, do what good you can, for you shall never pass this way again."

DAY 9: Friday (Abstinence)
Read the account of The Passion According to Saint Mark. (MK. 14:32-15: 47) Make the Stations of the Cross as if you were there, as if you were there with Our Lady, St. John and Mary Magdalen. "At the Cross YOUR station keeping."

DAY 10: Saturday
During Lent think of Mary under her title of Our Lady of Sorrows. The Mother of Jesus standing at the Cross. Be with your Mother at Calvary.

Meditation: The Flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15)

Second Sunday

Rest. Yes, every Sunday. At LaSalette Our Lady appeared to two children in 1846. The children saw Our Blessed Mother weep. She told them the reasons for Her tears. One of them: work on Sunday. Reorder your week, your life, so you can rest on Sunday.

Pray for Knowledge.

DAY 11: Monday
Find out how you can help the poor who live near you. Perhaps their is a poor family near-by. Or perhaps today you could help at a soup kitchen. or send food to one. Find out. "What you did for the least of your brethren you did for me."

DAY 12: Tuesday
Today is St. Patrick's Day. When St. Patrick lit the Easter Fire the pagan priests on the hill of Tara said to the king, "If you don't put it out it will burn forever." The Irish have brought the faith to many countries. In gratitude, today, pray for peace in Ireland. And don't forget to wear green!

DAY 13: Wednesday
Turn off the TV. Leave it off. I don't want you to think that I hate TV. (but I do!) It has destroyed family prayer and family fun. Of course I don't mean Mother Angelica! I mean all the rest. Forget it. God is calling you to greater things.

DAY 14: Thursday
Pray to St. Joseph today. As St. Teresa of Avila said "he never fails to answer our prayers" although he might correct and improve our petitions. Prayer to St. Joseph: Guardian of the Savior, guard me each day, guide me in my work and teach me to love humility, poverty and silence as you did. Amen.

DAY 15: Friday (Abstinence)
Read the account of the Passion according to St. John (Jn 18:1-19 42). Think about how St. John was there at the Cross. Strive to be like St. John, a faithful and beloved disciple. Make the Station of the Cross today using your own words.

DAY 16: Saturday
Let Our Lady bring peace into your soul and encourage those who have emotional or mental sufferings to turn to their Mother. "Mother Mary, speaking words of wisdom `Let it be.' In my hour of darkness there is still a light that shines on me."

Meditation: The Loss for Three Days ()

Third Sunday

Rest. Do some spiritual reading. It's good to have Catholic books in the house and to make it a custom to spend an hour or two each Sunday reading.

Pray for Understaning.

DAY 17: Monday
Save cancelled stamps. They can help the missions. When you tear them off the envelope leave a little paper around the stamp. Ask your friends for them. Send them to: Missionary Sister of St. Peter Claver P.O. Box 1058 Chesterfield, MO. 63006.

DAY 18: Tuesday
Cultivate a sense of humor. Bring Joy to others. Spread cheerfulness. Don't take yourself too seriously. Holiness is spacious, life-giving and joyful. Strive to help others laugh away discouragement and depression. Laughter is a holy thing. Our Blessed Lord told Margery Kempe, the English mystic, "You have a right to be merry."

DAY 19: Wednesday
Today is the Annunciation. "Listen. Be silent. Let Christ speak to you. Forget yourself, let Him tell you how He loves you!"(Caryll Houselander).

DAY 20: Thursday
Perhaps their are children who live near you. Perhaps some who need you. Couldn't they come to your house a couple times a month? You could tell them stories about the Saints, teach a little catechism and do some crafts. All informally. Today many children need some "adopting." Find out.

DAY 21: Friday (Abstinence)
Read the account of the Passion according to St. Luke (LK 21:39 - 23:56). Make the Station of the Cross. Realize that the sufferings of Jesus were far greater than we had been taught by pictures, etc. The scourging of Our Blessed Lord covered Him with wounds. Think of the reality of the Passion. My Jesus Mercy. Forgive my sins.

DAY 22: Saturday
Let Mary be your Mother. Never mind if your relationship with your mother is or was good or lacking. Our Lady's Motherhood is beyond all that. Open your heart to Mary. Talk to Her. Tell Her how much you love Her.

Meditation: The Meeting on the Way of the Cross ()

Laetare Sunday

Rest. Perhaps take a walk today. Maybe you'll have to drive out into the country and then walk. Take a long walk, quietly, reflectively. Talk to Jesus. Plan the following week together.

Pray for Counsel.

DAY 23: Monday
Help a charity. Send a donation to a group that puts the corporal works of mercy into action. Even a small donation helps. Then help a little more. Save them time and money, by telling them "no acknowledgement."

DAY 24: Tuesday
"Where there is no love put love and there will be love." (St. John of the Cross). Try to think of someone who needs some kindness. Perhaps by writing a letter or making a telephone call you can bring joy into someone's life; someone you don't feel like being kind too, perhaps, like that wealthy aunt who never remembers your birthday. Perhaps, well, you know who it is.

DAY 25: Wednesday
In the Gospel today we read "For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son." The love of Jesus for the Father is expressed throughout the Gospels. Today ask Jesus to bring you closer to the Father, your Father.

DAY 26: Thursday
Try not to worry today. Try to start freeing your life from anxieties and tension even if it means reordering your life or even!!!! putting the house in order. "We need to pray to calm and compose the inner self."(Louis Evely).

DAY 27: Friday (Abstinence)
Today is First Friday. A day dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Acquire a picture of Jesus showing His Heart all aflame with love for you. Place it in your home. Let it be the center of your home and let Jesus reign in your heart.

DAY 28: Saturday
This day is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Be Her child. Ask Her maternal care. To symbolize this wear Her scapular. For free blessed scapular send a stamped business size envelope to JMJ P.O. Box 381 Menomonee Falls WI 53052.

Passion Sunday

Rest. "The only sadness is not to be a saint."(Leon Bloy) You are called to be a saint. Strive to be holy. Pray. Try to be self-less. Forget yourself. Think about God. Think about others. Beg God to make you a saint.

Pray for Fortitude.

DAY 29: Monday
Here's a charity that feeds the poor in the Philippines and elsewhere. It's dedicated to helping the poor in honor of Our Lady, Mother of the Poor. Mary's Bread P.O. Box 546 Petersham, MA. 01366

DAY 30: Tuesday
Be patient. Be kind. Today really work on being gentle and meek. Ignore that irritable feeling. Forget anger. Listen to others. Be available. Love is patient, love is kind, it always says "I don't mind."(Elywn Ryhl)

DAY 31: Wednesday
Today strive to be very kind, meek and humble with everyone. We can't be too kind, too patient or too passive. "Do good to those who persecute you" and "Love your enemies" are folly but they are the radical folly of the Gospel. Jesus meek and humble of Heart make my heart like unto Thine.

DAY 32: Thursday
Today make bread. It's a wonderful adventure. Or today start to learn to make bread. Then try fasting on bread and water today.

DAY 33: Friday (Abstinence)
Think about the Passion. Think about Jesus continuing His Passion in people throughout the world the persecuted, those in Communist prisons. Today make the Stations of the Cross for the persecuted. "Jesus will be in agony until the end of time." (Pascal).

DAY 34: Saturday
Today is a good day to go to confession for Easter. To cleanse your soul and to receive the healing grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the best way to prepare for Easter, the Feast of New Life. Go to confession. I'll be praying for you!

Meditation: The Crucifixion ()

Palm Sunday

Rest. Today the suffering begins as Jesus sees the crowd cheering "hosanna." The crowd who will turn against Him. Give yourself completely to Jesus today in reparation for those who turn against Him still today.

Pray for Piety.

DAY 35: Monday
Today try to figure out a way to economize, perhaps with food costs and then send the difference to: FOOD FOR THE POOR 1301 W. Copans Rd. Pompano Beach, FL. 33064

DAY 36: Tuesday
Today is a good day to do Easter baking and egg-decorating if you have a way to keep it all "healthy." Tomorrow starts a solemn sadness and you want to enter into that completely. (Eggs are a symbol of Resurrection)

DAY 37: Wednesday
Tomorrow Jesus is betrayed. Forgive everyone who has ever hurt you. Forgive all those who have hurt you throughout your life. Yes, even THAT painful hurt. The philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, taught that real reconciliation is when we forgive someone BEFORE that person asks for forgiveness.

DAY 38: Holy Thursday
Today thank Jesus for the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Encourage others to love, adore and have complete reverence for our Eucharistic Lord. Offer prayers of reparation for so much widespread carelessness and irreverence.

DAY 39: Good Friday
Today is the day innocence Itself was put to death. The greatest holocaust in human history is occurring at this very moment. Assist both temporally (through donations) and spiritually (prayer, fasting and mortifications) these innocent children being murdered with the consent of their own mothers. Offer God the precious blood of Christ for the conversion of sinners, the end of abortion and for the suffering souls in Purgatory.

Jesus, your Savior is suffering, is dying. Keep a sorrowful silence from 12 noon until 3:00 pm. Let sorrow enter your heart. Spend as much time as you can in prayer today. "Human effort cannot save us, only the Passion of Christ. I wish to share in that." (Bl. Edith Stein)

DAY 40: Holy Saturday
Spend some of today quietly, prayerfully with Our Lady. She is alone now. Jesus has been placed in the tomb. Ask Our Blessed Mother to help you pray, to guide your spiritual life.

Meditation: Taking Jesus down from the Cross, and the Burial ()

EASTER Sunday

Rest, Rejoice and Praise the Glory of God.

Pray for Fear of the Lord.

Blessed Sacrament

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take ye and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins." (Matt. 26:26-28)

Confession

"Confess therefore your sins one to another: and pray one for another, that you may be saved. For the continual prayer of a just man availeth much." (James 5:16)

"Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained." (John 20:23)

Consecration To Jesus Through Mary

Eternal and incarnate Wisdom, most lovable and adorable Jesus, true God and true man, only Son of the eternal Father and of Mary always Virgin, Iadore you profoundly, dwelling in the splendor of your Father from all eternity, and in the virginal womb of Mary, your most worthy Mother, at the time of your Incarnation.
I thank you for having emptied yourself in assuming the condition of a slave to set me free from the cruel slavery of the evil one.
I praise and glorify you for having willingly chosen to obey Mary, your holy Mother, in all things, so that through her I may be your faithful slave of love.
But I must confess that I have not kept the vows and promises which I made to you so solemnly at my baptism. I have not fulfilled my obligations, and I do not deserve to be called your child or even your slave.
Since I cannot lay claim to anything except what merits your rejection and displeasure, I dare no longer approach the holiness of your majesty on my own. That is why I turn to the intercession and the mercy of your holy Mother, whom you yourself have given me to mediate with you. Through her I hope to obtain from you contrition and pardon for my sins, and that Wisdom whom I desire to dwell in me always.
I turn to you, then, Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of God, in whom Eternal wisdom willed to receive the adoration of both men and angels.
I greet you as Queen of heaven and earth, for all that is under God has been made subject to your sovereignty.
I call upon you, the unfailing refuge of sinners, confident in your mercy that has never forsaken anyone.
Grant my desire for divine Wisdom and, in support of my petition, accept the promises and the offering of myself which I now make, conscious of my unworthiness.
I, an unfaithful sinner, renew and ratify today through you my baptismal promises. I renounce forever Satan, his empty promises, and his evil designs, and I give myself completely to Jesus Christ, the incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him for the rest of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have been till now.
This day, with the whole court of heaven as witness, I choose you, Mary, as my Mother and Queen. I surrender and consecrate myself to you, body and soul, as your slave, with all that I possess, both spiritual and material, even including the value of all my good actions, past, present, and to come. I give you the full right to dispose of me and all that belongs to me, without any reservations, in whatever way you please, for the greater glory of God in time and throughout eternity.
Accept, gracious Virgin, this little offering of my slavery to honor and imitate the obedience which Eternal Wisdom willingly chose to have towards you, his Mother. I wish to acknowledge the authority which both of you have over this pitiful sinner. By it, I wish also to thank God for the privileges bestowed on you by the Blessed Trinity. I declare that for the future, I will try to honor and obey you in all things, as your true slave of love.
O admirable Mother, present me to your dear Son as His slave, now and for always, so that He who redeemed me through you, will now receive me through you.
Mother of mercy, grant me the favor of obtaining the true Wisdom of God, and so make me one of those whom you love, teach and guide, whom you nourish and protect as your children and slaves.
Virgin most faithful, make me in everything so committed a disciple, imitator, and slave of Jesus, your Son, incarnate Wisdom, that I may become, through your intercession and example, fully mature with the fullness which Jesus possessed on earth, and with the fullness of His glory in heaven. Amen.

The Passion from the Gospel of Saint Matthew

Chapter 26 The prayer in the garden. The apprehension of our Lord. His treatment in the house of Caiphas.

Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.
And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to grow sorrowful and to be sad.
Then he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch with me.
And going a little further, he fell upon his face, praying and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will but as thou wilt.
And he cometh to his disciples and findeth them asleep. And he saith to Peter: What? Could you not watch one hour with me?
Watch ye: and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I Must drink it, thy will be done.
And he cometh again and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy.
And leaving them, he went again: and he prayed the third time, saying the selfsame word.
Then he cometh to his disciples and said to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand: and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise: let us go. Behold he is at hand that will betray me.
As he yet spoke, behold Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the ancients of the people.
And he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Hold him fast.
And forthwith coming to Jesus, he said: Hail, Rabbi. And he kissed him.
And Jesus said to him: Friend, whereto art thou come? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and held him.
And behold one of them that were with Jesus, stretching forth his hand, drew out his sword: and striking the servant of the high priest, cut off his ear.
Then Jesus saith to him: Put up again thy sword into its place: for all that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Thinkest thou that I cannot ask my Father, and he will give me presently more than twelve legions of angels?
How then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that so it must be done?
In that same hour, Jesus said to the multitudes: You are come out, as it were to a robber, with swords and clubs to apprehend me. I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple: and you laid not hands on me.
Now all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then the disciples, all leaving him, fled.
But they holding Jesus led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and the ancients were assembled.
And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest, And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end.
And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might gut him to death.
And they found not, whereas many false witnesses had come in. And last of all there came two false witnesses:
And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and after three days to rebuild it.
And the high priest rising up, said to him: Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee?
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said to him: I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ the Son of God.
Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed: What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy.
What think you? But they answering, said: He is guilty of death.
Then did they spit in his face and buffeted him. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands,
Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ. Who is he that struck thee?
But Peter sat without in the court. And there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.
But he denied before them all, saying: I know not what thou sayest.
And as he went out of the gate, another maid saw him; and she saith to them that were there: This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.
And again he denied with an oath: I know not the man.
And after a little while, they came that stood by and said to Peter: Surely thou also art one of them. For even thy speech doth discover thee.
Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly,
Chapter 27 The continuation of the history of the passion of Christ. His death and burial.

And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put him to death.
And they brought him bound and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting himself, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and ancients,
Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? Look thou to it.
And casting down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed and went and hanged himself with an halter.
But the chief priests having taken the pieces of silver, said: It is not lawful to put them into the corbona, because it is the price of blood.
And after they had consulted together, they bought with them the potter's field, to be a burying place for strangers.
For this cause that field was called Haceldama, that is, the field of blood, even to this day.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was prized, whom they prized of the children of Israel.
And they gave them unto the potter's field, as the Lord appointed to me.
And Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, saying: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus saith to him: Thou sayest it.
And when he was accused by the chief priests and ancients, he answered nothing.
Then Pilate saith to him: Dost not thou hear how great testimonies they allege against thee?
And he answered him to never a word, so that the governor wondered exceedingly.
Now upon the solemn day the governor was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whom they would.
And he had then a notorious prisoner that was called Barabbas.
They therefore being gathered together, Pilate said: Whom will you that I release to You: Barabbas, or Jesus that is called Christ?
For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
And as he was sitting in the place of judgment, his wife sent to him, saying: Have thou nothing to do with that just man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
But the chief priests and ancients persuaded the people that they should ask Barabbas and make Jesus away.
And the governor answering, said to them: Whether will you of the two to be released unto you? But they said: Barabbas.
Pilate saith to them: What shall I do then with Jesus that is called Christ? They say all: Let him be crucified.
The governor said to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying: Let him be crucified.
And Pilate seeing that he prevailed nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, taking water washed his hands before the people, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just man. Look you to it.
And the whole people answering, said: His blood be upon us and upon our children.
Then he released to them Barabbas: and having scourged Jesus, delivered him unto them to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the governor, taking Jesus into the hall, gathered together unto him the whole band.
And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak about him.
And platting a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand. And bowing the knee before him, they mocked him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews.
And spitting upon him, they took the reed and struck his head.
And after they had mocked him, they took off the cloak from him and put on him his own garments and led him away to crucify him.
And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.
And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary.
And they gave him wine to drink mingled with gall. And when he had tasted, he would not drink.
And after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: They divided my garments among them; and upon my venture they cast lots.
And they sat and watched him.
And they put over his head his cause written: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then were crucified with him two thieves: one on the right hand and one on the left.
And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads,
And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
In like manner also the chief priests, with the scribes and ancients, mocking said:
He saved others: himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross: and we will believe him.
He trusted in God: let him now deliver him if he will have him. For he said: I am the Son of God.
And the selfsame thing the thieves also that were crucified with him reproached him with.
Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the whole earth, until the ninth hour.
And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma. sabacthani? That is, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And some that stood there and heard said: This man calleth Elias.
And immediately one of them running took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him to drink.
And the others said: Let be. Let us see whether Elias will come to deliver him.
And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And behold the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom: and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent.
And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose,
And coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city and appeared to many.
Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God. (Matt. 26:36 - 27:54)

The Passion from the Gospel of Saint Mark

Chapter 14 The first part of the history of the passion of Christ.

And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And he saith to his disciples: Sit you here, while I pray.
And he taketh Peter and James and John with him: and he began to fear and to be heavy.
And he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Stay you here and watch.
And when he was gone forward a little, he fell flat on the ground: and he prayed that, if it might be, the hour might pass from him.
And he saith: Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: remove this chalice from me; but not what I will, but what thou wilt.
And he cometh and findeth them sleeping. And he saith to Peter: Simon, sleepest thou? Couldst thou not watch one hour?
Watch ye: and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
And going away again, he prayed, saying the same words.
And when he returned, he found them again asleep (for their eyes were heavy): and they knew not what to answer him.
And he cometh the third time and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest. It is enough. The hour is come: behold the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise up: let us go. Behold, he that will betray me is at hand.
And while he was yet speaking, cometh Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve: and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the ancients.
And he that betrayed him had given them a sign, saying: Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he. Lay hold on him: and lead him away carefully.
And when he was come, immediately going up to him he saith: Hail, Rabbi! And he kissed him.
But they laid hands on him and held him.
And one of them that stood by, drawing a sword, struck a servant of the chief priest and cut off his ear.
And Jesus answering, said to them: Are you come out as to a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me?
I was daily with you in the temple teaching: and you did not lay hands on me. But that the scriptures may be fulfilled.
Then his disciples, leaving him, all fled away.
And a certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body. And they laid hold on him.
But he, casting off the linen cloth, fled from them naked.
And they brought Jesus to the high priest. And all the priests and the scribes and the ancients assembled together.
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the court of the high priest. And he sat with the servants at the fire and warmed himself.
And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put him to death: and found none.
For many bore false witness against him: and their evidences were not agreeing.
And some rising up, bore false witness against him, saying:
We heard him say, I Will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.
And their witness did not agree.
And the high priest rising up in the midst, asked Jesus, saying: Answerest thou nothing to the things that are laid to thy charge by these men?
But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him: Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed God?
And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God and coming with the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned him to be guilty of death.
And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to buffet him and to say unto him: Prophesy. And the servants struck him with the palms their hands.
Now when Peter was in the court below, there cometh one of the maidservants of the high priest.
And when she had seen Peter warming himself looking on him, she saith: Thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
But he denied, saying: I neither know nor understand what thou sayest. And he went forth before the court; and the cock crew.
And again a maidservant seeing him, began to say to the standers by: This is one of them.
But he denied again. And after a, while they that stood by said again to Peter: Surely thou art one of them; for thou art also a Galilean.
But he began o curse and to swear, saying: I know not this man of whom you speak.
And immediately the cock crew again. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said unto him: Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt thrice deny me. And he began to weep,
Chapter 27 The continuation of the history of the passion.

And straightway in the morning, the chief priests holding a consultation with the ancients and the scribes and the whole council, binding Jesus, led him away and delivered him to Pilate.
And Pilate asked him: Art thou the king of the Jews? But he answering, saith to him: Thou sayest it.
And the chief priests accused him in many things.
And Pilate again asked him, saying: Answerest thou nothing? Behold in how many things they accuse thee.
But Jesus still answered nothing: so that Pilate wondered.
Now on the festival day he was wont to release unto them one of the prisoners, whomsoever they demanded.
And there was one called Barabbas, who was put in prison with some seditious men, who in the sedition had committed murder.
And when the multitude was come up, they began to desire that he would do as he had ever done unto them.
And Pilate answered them and said: Will you that I release to you the king of the Jews?
For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up out of envy.
But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
And Pilate again answering, saith to them: What will you then that I do to the king of the Jews?
But they again cried out: Crucify him.
And Pilate saith to them: Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more: Crucify him.
And so Pilate being willing to satisfy the people, released to them Barabbas: and delivered up Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
And the soldiers led him away into the court of the palace: and they called together the whole band.
And they clothed him with purple: and, platting a crown of thorn, they put it upon him.
And they began to salute him: Hail, king of the Jews.
And they struck his head with a reed: and they did spit on him. And bowing their knees, they adored him.
And after they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him and put his own garments on him: and they led him out to crucify him.
And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross.
And they bring him into the place called Golgotha, which being interpreted is, The place of Calvary.
And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh. But he took it not.
And crucifying him, they divided his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
And it was the third hour: and they crucified him.
And the inscription of his cause was written over: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
And with him they crucify two thieves: the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith: And with the wicked he was reputed.
And they that passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days buildest it up again:
Save thyself, coming down from the cross.
In like manner also the chief priests, mocking, said with the scribes one to another: He saved others; himself he cannot save.
Let Christ the king of Israel come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him, reviled him.
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole earth until the ninth hour.
And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted: My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?
And some of the standers by hearing, said: Behold he calleth Elias.
And one running and filling a sponge with vinegar and putting it upon a reed, gave him to drink, saying: Stay, let us see if Elias come to take him down.
And Jesus, having cried out with a loud voice, gave up the ghost.
And the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom.
And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that crying out in this manner he had given up the ghost. said: Indeed this man was the son of God.
And there were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joseph and Salome,
Who also when he was in Galilee followed him and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem.
And when evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath),
Joseph of Arimathea, a noble counsellor, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus.
But Pilate wondered that he should be already dead. And sending for the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead.
And when he had understood it by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
And Joseph, buying fine linen and taking him down, wrapped him up in the fine linen and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewed out of a rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.
And Mary Magdalen and Mary the mother of Joseph, beheld where he was laid.
(Mark 14:32 - 15:47)

Spiritual Communion

"O Jesus! I turn toward the Holy Tabernacle where Thou livest hidden for love of me. I love Thee O My God! I cannot receive Thee in Holy Communion, but come nevertheless and visit me with Thy grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Thine."

Day - in Honor Of...

Sunday	The Holy Trinity
Monday	The Holy Angels
Tuesday	The Apostles
Wednesday	Saint Joseph
Thursday	The Holy Eucharist
Friday	The Passion
Saturday	Our Lady