LentWeekday

Lenten Weekday

Lent calls the Church to conversion through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, as she prepares for Easter. Walk with Mary toward the Cross. Ask her for true contrition, return faithfully to the sacraments, and offer one hidden sacrifice for the conversion of sinners.

Keep this day with Mary

The Church’s prayer today

United States Roman Calendar · Year A → Year B at Advent · Cycle II. Liturgical color: violet.

Scripture for the liturgy

Ez 37:21-28/Jn 11:45-56 (256)

These references follow the annual calendar, including permitted reading choices. Optional memorials ordinarily retain the weekday readings. The linked daily readings also include the responsorial psalm.

On charity toward our neighbour

Charity · Read with the saints

Mary was so full of charity while she lived on earth that she came to the help of the needy without even being asked: as she did precisely at the marriage of Cana, when she asked her Son for the miracle of the wine, laying before him the distress of that family, Vinum non habent — They have no wine. (John 2) Oh, what haste she made when it was a question of relieving her neighbour! When she went on an office of charity to the house of Elizabeth, abiit in montana cum festinatione — she went into the hill country with haste. (Luke 1)

St. Alphonsus de Liguori · The Glories of Mary · On the Charity of Mary toward Our Neighbour · excerpt

Make this prayer your own

O mother of mercy, you are full of charity towards all; do not forget my miseries. You already see them. Commend me to that God who denies you nothing. Obtain for me the grace to be able to imitate you in holy charity, both towards God and towards my neighbour. Amen.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori · The Glories of Mary · On the Charity of Mary towards Our Neighbour

One faithful act

Choose one neighbour you can help today. Ask Mary for charity, then put that love into a practical act of service.

Pray for a neighbour
Calendar scope and local observance

Dates, ranks, and reading references follow the official calendar for the dioceses of the United States, with Ascension on Sunday. Diocesan, parish, patronal, and religious-family calendars may differ. Consult your parish for Mass schedules and obligations. The Marian meditation is a devotional aid accompanying the day.

Sources for this teaching