Project BLACK MAMBA: Lent—Long Road Back, Part III

Today is the feast of Saint Zachary, Pope (679-752): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Louise de Marillac, D.C. (1591-1660), co-foundress of the Daughters of Charity, formally the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link D.C..

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer, Priest,C.Ss.R. (1751-1820): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Numbers, chapter twenty-one, verses four thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Two, verses two, three, & sixteen thru twenty-one;
The Gospel according to John, chapter eight, verses twenty-one thru thirty.

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Thursday, 3 March, was the Optional Memorial of Saint Katharine Drexel, Virgin, S.B.S. (1858-1955), foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link S.B.S.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

She was an American heiress, philanphropist, religious sister, educator, & foundress… She is the only canonized saint to have been born a United States citizen.

I confess that in my own head I am prone to confuse St. Katharine Drexel with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821; 4 January: Wayback Machine).

'Twas also the feast of Blessed Innocent of Berzo, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1844-1890): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Jeremiah, chapter seven, verses twenty-three thru twenty-eight;
Psalm Ninety-five, verses one, two, & six thru nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eleven, verses fourteen thru twenty-three.

Personal Reading
The Book of Exodus, chapter five (verses one thru twenty-three);
The Book of Exodus, chapter six (verses one thru thirty);
The Book of Exodus, chapter seven, verses one thru thirteen.

Commentary: Pharaoh's obduracy (5:1-13), complaint of the foremen (5:14-21), renewal of God's promise (5:22-6:13), genealogy of Moses & Aaron (6:14-27), Moses & Aaron before Pharaoh (6:28-7:7), & the staff turned into a snake (7:8-13).

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Friday, 4 March was the Optional Memorial of Saint Casimir (1458-1484): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Casimir was the son of the kin of Poland & grandson of the emperor of Austria. He used his royal influence for (the) welfare (of the poor & ill) & attended to their needs through personal donations.

'Twas also the feast of Saint Felix of Rhuys, Abbot, O.S.B. (died 1038): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Hosea, chapter fourteen, verses two thru ten;
Psalm Eighty-one, verses six(c) thru eleven(b), fourteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter twelve, verses twenty-eight thru thirty-four.

Personal Reading
The Book of Exodus, chapter seven, verses fourteen thru twenty-nine;
The Book of Exodus, chapter eight (verses one thru twenty-eight).

Commentary: First Plague: Water Turned into Blood (7:14-24), Second Plague: the Frogs (7:25-8:11), Third Plague: the Gnats (8:12-15), & Fourth Plague: the Flies (8:16-28). The third plague is the first time the "magicians" of Pharaoh's court not fake/replicate a plague through their "magic arts," confessing, "'This is the finger of God.'"