Saint Patrick, Bishop

Optional memorial

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Brought to Ireland as a slave, Patrick escaped, became a bishop and returned to evangelize the Irish in the 5th century.

Readings of the day

Sorrowful Mysteries

Fifth Mystery: The Crucifixion

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!”Luke 23:46

Jesus is nailed to the Cross between two thieves. He forgives His executioners, promises Paradise to the repentant thief, gives His Mother to the beloved disciple, and dies for our salvation.

Fruit of the mystery: Perseverance

From St. Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Traditional; tr. Cecil Frances Alexander, 1889

Get this prayer every morning

A notification each morning with the day’s mysteries, a mystery to meditate on with its scripture, and a short prayer. Free, no account.

This day’s five mysteries (Sorrowful Mysteries)

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

Coming up

Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin MaryThu, Mar 19 · Solemnity
The Annunciation of the LordWed, Mar 25 · Solemnity
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the LordSun, Mar 29 · Sunday
Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s SupperThu, Apr 2
Friday of the Passion of the LordFri, Apr 3

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

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