Monday of Holy Week
The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is transferred to April 8.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 42:1-7
Here is My servant whom I uphold, My chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put My Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14 (R. 1a)
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? R.
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall. R.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust. R.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. R.
Gospel – Jn 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for Him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with Him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of His disciples, and the one who would betray Him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.” The large crowd of the Jews found out that He was there and came, not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
Featured Saints
St. Dismas. The Good Thief, who acknowledged Our Lord on the cross, and merited to hear these words: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk 23:43).
St. Lucy Filippini, virgin (†1732). She founded the Institute of Pious Teachers in Montefiascone, Italy, dedicated to the formation of women and girls.
St. Margaret Clitherow, martyr (†1586). Laywoman who converted to Catholicism in adulthood. Mother of a family, she provided shelter for persecuted priests in her house during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, for which she was imprisoned and received the crown of martyrdom on a Good Friday. Her two sons became priests and her daughter, a nun.
Blessed Placido Riccardi, priest (†1915). Benedictine monk, outstanding for his life of prayer and untiring observance of the Rule, despite chronic sickness.
Blessed Emilian Kovč, priest and martyr (†1944). Ukrainian priest of the Greek Rite, burned alive in Majdanek concentration camp, Poland, in witness to his Faith.
Blessed James Bird, martyr (†1592). At age fifteen he embraced the Catholic Faith and practised it secretly. At age nineteen he was condemned to death in his native city of Winchester, England, for refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy or participate in the heretical Liturgy.
Blessed Josaphata, virgin (†1919). She founded the Institute of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, dedicating herself to doing good wherever needed, in Chervonohrad, Ukraine.
Blessed Marie-Alfonsine Danil Ghattas, virgin (†1927). Founded the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem in the Holy Land.
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