Project BLACK MAMBA: First Sunday of Lent

'Tis the First Sunday of Lent: Lent-link & Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 14 February would be the feast of Saint Valentine of Rome, Martyr (third century): Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Abraham of Cyrrhus, Bishop (died 422): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saints Cyril, Monk, & Methodius, Bishop (circa 827-869 & circa 815-885): Saints-link Charlie & Mike, Saint-link Charlie, Saint-link Mike & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

These two saints were proclaimed co-patrons of Europe by Pope (St.) John Paul II (22 October) in 1980. St. Cyril was born in Thessalonica & educated in Constantinople. He & his brother, St. Methodius, went to Moravia to preach the faith. They both prepared Slavic texts in what became known as the Cyrillic alphabet. Both were summoned to Rome, where St. Cyril died on this day in 869, while Methodius was consecrated bishop & went to Pannonia where he tirelessly preached the Gospel. Though suffering much from detractors, he received assistance from the popes. Methodius died on 6 April 885 in Velehrad, (sic) Czechoslovakia.

Research indicates that Velehrad is located in the Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia having split into the sovereign Czech & Slovak Republics in 1993.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Deuteronomy, chapter twenty-six, verses four thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-one, verses one, two, & ten thru fifteen;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses eight thru thirteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter four, verses one thru thirteen.

Personal Reading
The Book of Genesis, chapter fifteen (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Genesis, chapter sixteen (verses one thru sixteen).

* * * * *

Yesterday was the feast of Blessed Archangela Girlani, Prioress, O. Carm. (1460-1494, A.K.A. Eleanor Girlani): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Catherine de' Ricci, Prioress, O.S.D. (1522-1590), stigmatist: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-eight, verses nine(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm Eighty-six, verses one thru six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter five, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-two.

Personal Reading
The Book of Genesis, chapter eleven, verses ten thru thirty-two;
The Book of Genesis, chapter twelve (verses one thru twenty);
The Book of Genesis, chapter thirteen (verses one thru eighteen);
The Book of Genesis, chapter fourteen (verses one thru twenty-four).

Commentary: The early adventures of the patriarch Abram, his wife Sarai, & his nephew Lot.