Jesus answered the Jews: “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” For this reason, they tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God. John 5:17–18
Christ preaching amongst a crowd of people
Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.” John 7:25–27
Crowds gather as Christ heals the sick
| Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But others said, “The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David’s family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. John 7:40–43 |
Resurrection of Lazarus
| When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and the Jews who had come with her weeping, he became perturbed and deeply troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Sir, come and see.” And Jesus wept. John 11:32–35 |
Christ and the woman who has committed adultery
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” John 8:4–5
| “You belong to what is below, I belong to what is above. You belong to this world, but I do not belong to this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” John 8:23–24 |
Sandwiched between the stark drama of Good Friday and the glory of the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday is often in danger of being skipped over. For many of us, it will be a busy day- perhaps a typical Saturday, or perhaps hectic with preparation for the Easter Vigil. It might feel like a little gap to return to normality in the midst of the Triduum.
But it’s not.
I love Holy Saturday. Not because I enjoy it, exactly, but because it allows me to identify with a certain part of being human which is often overlooked. The part of being human that is about quietly suffering, when you’re all cried-out, when all the energy we had for resisting or complaining has been exhausted, and finally the pain has to become part of everyday life.
Everyone will know an experience in their life where they have lived through something that felt un-liveable, when the trauma and suffering were so acute that you survived on adrenaline until it was all over. Then you went home, closed the door, and all was quiet.
You had to face the grief:
The event itself is over, but the suffering is only just beginning.
I imagine that this is very similar to how the disciples and Mary felt the day after the Crucifixion. Numb, reeling, the pain like a bruise only just beginning to show. Holy Saturday allows us to feel something very human- it goes to the depth of who we are- just as Christ lay in the depths of the earth.
It is important to acknowledge here too that on Holy Saturday, God was dead. Christ didn’t simply pass out, go into a coma, or having a faint heartbeat still ticking away somewhere. To believe that is to negate the Resurrection. He was dead.
We can all face Holy Saturdays in our lives- sometimes they’re borne from dramatic events, other times the slow-burning pain of daily life. They are times when there doesn’t seem to be a resolution to the pain, times when we’re waiting for it to be over, times when we’re struggling to see the point. We can wonder if it will ever be over.
Our Lady can be the key to understanding these times. She trusted God so implicitly that, though she did not understand why her son had to die, she trusted God that everything was in His hands. That doesn’t mean that she felt any less the agony, but it gave her the strength to look into His eyes on the way to Calvary and in turn, give Him strength. It gave her the strength to stand at the foot of the Cross and watch Him die. It gave her the strength to accept His body in her arms. It gave her the strength to accept something she did not fully understand.
So on Holy Saturday, wait with Our Lady, who knew that the story could not end with the events of Good Friday. Holy Saturday did not last forever. After the tomb came the Resurrection. Let us not be too hasty to skip to the glory of the Easter celebration- that will be joyful enough in its own time. Find a moment to sit in a quiet place and accompany Our Lady through the day. In turn, she accompanies us in the Holy Saturdays of our own lives.
Author: Ruth Kennedy
Ruth Kennedy (nee Baker) is 30 and lives in England with her husband. She loves running, wild camping and writing, and thinks there is almost nothing better than the feeling of satisfaction after a day out in the mountains. She is a graduate of the University of Wales and holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Creative Writing. Her faith means everything to her.
Introductory Tribute for my Mother Irène
On this day, March 19th, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. This year, this date holds an even deeper meaning for me: it is also my mother, Irène’s, 96th birthday. Like Saint Joseph—a discreet but essential figure in the Gospel—my mother has shaped my life with her quiet strength, unwavering love, and deep faith. Both, in their own way, embody devotion, humility, and perseverance—qualities that may not always appear in grand narratives, yet silently transform the world around them.
While we know little about Saint Joseph from the Scriptures, tradition and other sources enrich his portrait: protector, worker, a man of trust and faith. Today, in honour of Saint Joseph, I also give thanks for my mother, Irène, whose life is a living example of these virtues. May this dual tribute inspire us to recognize the strength of daily gestures and the hidden greatness found in silent fidelity.
En ce jour du 19 mars, l’Église célèbre la fête de saint Joseph, époux de Marie et père terrestre de Jésus. Cette année, cette date revêt pour moi une signification encore plus profonde : c’est aussi le 96e anniversaire de ma mère, Irène. Comme saint Joseph, figure discrète mais essentielle de l’Évangile, ma mère a façonné ma vie par sa force tranquille, son amour inébranlable et sa foi profonde. Tous deux, à leur manière, incarnent le dévouement, l’humilité et la persévérance—qualités qui n’apparaissent pas toujours dans les grands récits, mais qui transforment silencieusement le monde qui les entoure.
Alors que nous savons peu de choses sur saint Joseph à travers les Écritures, la tradition et d’autres sources viennent enrichir son portrait : celui d’un protecteur, d’un travailleur, d’un homme de confiance et de foi. Aujourd’hui, en honorant saint Joseph, je rends aussi grâce pour ma mère Irène, dont la vie est un exemple vivant de ces vertus. Puisse ce double hommage nous inspirer à reconnaître la force des gestes quotidiens et la grandeur cachée dans la fidélité silencieuse.
What Do We Know about St. Joseph?
Although the canonical Gospels offer only a few glimpses into the life of St. Joseph, tradition and other sources have sought to fill in the gaps about this remarkable figure.
From the Scriptures:
From the Apocrypha:
From Tradition and Documentaries:
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 | SOLEMNITY
JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY
YEARS ABC | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading 2 Samuel 7:4–5a, 12–14a, 16
Response Psalm 89:37
Psalm Psalm 89:2–5, 27, 29
Second Reading Romans 4:13, 16–18, 22
Gospel Acclamation Psalm 84:5
Gospel Matthew 1:16, 18–21, 24a or Luke 2:41–51aAnon. 2009. Catholic Daily Readings. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.
.
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
Bonne Saint Patrick!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026 | LENT
WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF LENT
YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY
First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1, 5–9
Response Psalm 147:12a
Psalm Psalm 147:12–13, 15–16, 19–20
Gospel Acclamation John 6:63c, 68c
Gospel Matthew 5:17–19Anon. 2009. Catholic Daily Readings. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.
01. The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is found in Matthew 22:37, where Jesus identifies it as the foundation of all biblical law.
02. “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31) is the second greatest commandment, calling for selfless, compassionate care for others equivalent to the care one gives themselves. Originating in Leviticus 19:18, it means treating others with kindness, dignity, and grace, often interpreted as the Golden Rule: treating others as you would want to be treated.
03. I am the Lord thy God. You shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
04. Remember the Sunday and keep it holy. Observe the Sunday day and keep it holy.
05. Honour your father and your mother.
06. You shall not commit murder. The reasons for going to war must be defensive, with the ultimate goal being peace and a reasonable chance of success. War should not produce evils greater than those it seeks to eliminate. It is forbidden to use weapons to destroy entire cities or regions with their inhabitants. Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and cared for. Soldiers must disobey orders to commit genocide, and those who violate universal principles are accountable.
07. You shall not commit adultery. Men and women are, by divine design, different and complementary, each with equal dignity and made in the image of God. Sexual acts are sacred. Sexual sins violate not only the body but the whole person. Rape is an evil act that can cause lifelong harm to the victim. The rape of children by parents, relatives, or those responsible for their care or education is considered the most serious of sexual sins.
08. You shall not steal.
09. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. False witness and perjury: statements made in court that obstruct justice by condemning the innocent, exonerating the guilty, or increasing the punishment of the accused. Rash judgment: believing someone is guilty of moral faults without enough evidence. Detraction: revealing another person’s faults without a valid reason. Calumny: lying to harm someone’s reputation and enabling others to make false judgments about them. Flattery: speech meant to deceive others for one’s own benefit. Bragging, boasting, or mocking: speech that only honours oneself or dishonours others.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not desire your neighbour’s house, wife, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. Envy is wanting what belongs to someone else, an attitude that fills us with sadness at another’s good fortune.
11. Obedience and honour are due to all who have received authority in society for our good, as given by God.
12. Charity is necessary for any family or society to function. It is the greatest social commandment and requires people to love God and their neighbour. Greed is the desire for more than one needs.
13. Families are expected to help other families.
14. Parents are responsible for the moral education, spiritual formation, and evangelization of their children. Children should be respected as children of God and as human beings. Parents must be good examples for their children.
As a Franciscan Third Order member, Good Friday is a deeply significant part of my spiritual journey. On April 3rd, 2026, I will join Franciscans worldwide in commemorating the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, drawing from the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.
For Franciscans, Good Friday is approached with humility, reflection, and a desire to follow Christ’s path. Our traditions connect us to centuries of devotion and personally invite us to embrace Christ’s sacrifice and live the values of compassion and service.
Below, I share an overview of how Franciscans honour Good Friday, highlighting the practices and traditions that shape this sacred day.
Franciscans and Good Friday: Key Practices
The Franciscans, as a Catholic religious order, place special significance on Good Friday. Their observances highlight deep devotion and humility, drawing on the spirituality of their founder, St. Francis of Assisi.
Key Practices of Franciscans on Good Friday:
In summary:
On Good Friday, Franciscans express their spirituality by focusing on Christ’s Passion through ceremonies such as the liturgy, veneration of the cross, Stations of the Cross, silence, fasting, and prayer. These practices embody humility, compassion, and a deep connection to the sacrifice of Jesus, in keeping with Franciscan tradition.
Brother Eric Michel, Chaplain, M.I.
2 Chronicles 20:12
20:12 Our eyes are upon you. A statement showing Jehoshaphat’s reliance on God
Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. 2012, 2016. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Hello Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This post is to inform you that we have merged our three sites into one. As a result, we have integrated French pages. Here is a list of some new pages and updated others.
Sites Merged:
Here are the main pages that were added or changed, because there are too many to list them all. I invite you to explore the site.
Brother Eric
Peace and lots of Goods
Title: Lent: Journeying with John, the Baptism of Christ, and the Temptation in the Wilderness
As Lent begins, Christians around the world enter a period of reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. Lent is a time to journey with Jesus, to examine our hearts, and to prepare for the joy of Easter. Central to this journey are three powerful biblical moments: John the Baptist’s proclamation, the Baptism of Christ, and Jesus’ Temptation in the wilderness.
John Preaching in the Wilderness
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance and a new way of living. His voice in the wilderness was both a challenge and an invitation—“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). During Lent, we are invited to heed John’s call, turning away from old habits and opening ourselves to God’s transforming grace.
The Baptism of Christ
Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River marks the beginning of his public ministry. In this moment, the heavens open, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the voice of God declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Lent invites us to remember our own baptism and identity as beloved children of God, called to follow Christ’s example.
The Temptation in the Wilderness
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he faces temptation for forty days. He resists the devil’s enticements with faithfulness to God’s word. This story reminds us that Lent is also a season of testing and self-examination, a time to confront our own temptations and to rely on God’s strength.
A Lenten Reflection
As we walk through Lent, let us remember John’s bold preaching, Jesus’ affirmation at his baptism, and his victory over temptation. May these stories inspire us to repent, embrace our identity in Christ, and trust in God’s power to overcome the challenges we face. In doing so, we prepare our hearts for the resurrection joy that awaits us at Easter.
In 1816, William Roscoe — a Liverpudlian banker with an eye for art — wrote to Thomas William Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, in awe. The men had history. Forty years before, Coke inherited the library at Holkham Hall, which had been assembled, a century earlier, by his grand uncle Thomas Coke (1697–1759), whose family sent him abroad at fifteen to break a nasty cockfighting habit. It worked. By the time this elder Coke was twenty-one, he had plundered Padua, Lyons, Berlin, and most places in between, buying “enough manuscripts and early printed books to form one of the finest private libraries in England”. After inheriting the library in 1776, Thomas Coke found it in a sorry state, with priceless books mildewed and pockmarked by worms.…
EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica (1923–2016) had a deep love for the Eucharist and envisioned a world where people could grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament—even if they couldn’t attend Mass in person. That’s why it was important to Mother Angelica to broadcast daily Mass. She wanted everyone—including the sick, elderly, and homebound—to have access to the readings, inspirational homilies, and beautiful hymns.
https://www.ewtn.com/programs/2499-readings-homily-and-daily-mass?from=ewtnplus
–https://ca.pinterest.com/pin/633387419518607/–
Lent, Week 1, Tuesday
FIRST READING
Isaiah 55:10–11
10 For, as the rain and the snow come down from the sky
and do not return before having watered the earth,
fertilizing it and making it germinate
to provide seed for the sower and food to eat,
11 so it is with the word that goes from my mouth:
it will not return to me unfulfilled
or before having carried out my good pleasure
and having achieved what it was sent to do.
RESPONSE
Psalm 34:18b
17 They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles. PSALM
Psalm 34:4–7, 16–19
3 Proclaim with me the greatness of Yahweh,
let us acclaim his name together.
4 I seek Yahweh and he answers me,
frees me from all my fears.
5 Fix your gaze on Yahweh and your face will grow bright,
you will never hang your head in shame.
6 A pauper calls out and Yahweh hears,
saves him from all his troubles.
15 The eyes of Yahweh are on the upright,
his ear turned to their cry.
16 But Yahweh’s face is set against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 They cry in anguish and Yahweh hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 Yahweh is near to the broken-hearted,
he helps those whose spirit is crushed. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Matthew 4:4b
4 But he replied, ‘Scripture says:
Human beings live not on bread alone
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ GOSPEL
Matthew 6:7–15
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Anon. 2009. Catholic Daily Readings. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.