FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Thursday 19th March : St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The virtues of St. Joseph have been the object of ecclesial reflection down through the centuries, especially the more recent centuries. Among those virtues the following stand out: faith, with which he fully accepted God's salvific plan; prompt and silent obedience to the will of God; love for and fulfilment of the law, true piety, fortitude in time of trial; chaste love for the Blessed Virgin Mary, a dutiful exercise of his paternal authority, and fruitful reticence.
Saturday 21st March : St. Enda
He is considered to be one of the three great late vocations (athlaech) of Ireland. His sister, Faenche, a nun, set his thoughts on a religious vocation. He made a small foundation in Cell Aine, Co. Louth and, after studies in Scotland under Ninian, made several foundations in the Boyne valley. On Faenche's urging he went to Aran. He died probably in 520 and is considered as one o fthe early models of ascetic monasticism in Ireland.
Sunday 22nd March : 5th Sunday of LENT
Lazarus' resurrection is a figure and type of Jesus' resurrection, and of our resurrection, first to divine life in baptism and to our definitive resurrection at the end of time. The gospel is a call to a deeper faith in the Spirit living in us, giving life to our mortal bodies. The catechumens are presented with the Creed in the third week of Lent and the Lords Prayer in the coming week after the third scrutiny. Growth in faith means a deeper love for these two expressions of our way of life.
Monday 23rd March : St. Turibius
He was a layman when he was appointed archbishop of Lima, Peru by King Philip II. He combated all the abuses of the conquerors in Peru and built up the Church there.
Tuesday 24th March : St. Macartan
He belongs to a very early generation of saints in Ireland, and is recognised as the first Bishop of Clogher. He is known as Patrick's "Strong Man" for his dedication and faithfulness.
Wednesday 25th March : Annunciation of the Lord
Giving her consent to God's work, Mary becomes the mother of Jesus. Espousing the divine will for salvation wholeheartedly, without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and to the work of her Son; she did so in order to serve the mystery of redemption with him and dependent on him, by God's grace.