Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lent

Saint Patrick, Bishop optional memorial

Listen to today's Mass in full

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12

And he brought me again to the gate of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house toward the east: for the forefront of the house looked toward the east: but the waters came down to the right side of the temple to the south part of the altar. And he led me out by the way of the north gate, and he caused me to turn to the way without the outward gate to the way that looked toward the east: and behold there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went out towards the east, he measured a thousand cubits: and he brought me through the water up to the ankles. And again he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the knees. And he measured a thousand, and he brought me through the water up to the loins. And he measured a thousand, and it was a torrent, which I could not pass over: for the waters were risen so as to make a deep torrent, which could not be passed over. And he said to me: Surely thou hast seen, O son of man. And he brought me out, and he caused me to turn to the bank of the torrent. And when I had turned myself, behold on the bank of the torrent were very many trees on both sides. And he said to me: These waters that issue forth toward the hillocks of sand to the east, and go down to the plains of the desert, shall go into the sea, and shall go out, and the waters shall be healed. And every living creature that creepeth whithersoever the torrent shall come, shall live: and there shall be fishes in abundance after these waters shall come thither, and they shall be healed, and all things shall live to which the torrent shall come. And by the torrent on the banks thereof on both sides shall grow all trees that bear fruit: their leaf shall not fall off, and their fruit shall not fail: every month shall they bring forth firstfruits, because the waters thereof shall issue out of the sanctuary: and the fruits thereof shall be for food, and the leaves thereof for medicine.

Saints Memorialized Today

Saint Patrick Bishop, Missionary, Priest, Writer 400–500

Saint Patrick was born in late Roman Britain, probably near the western coast, though his exact birthplace is unknown. The son of Calpurnius, a local official and deacon, Patrick later confessed that in his youth he was not fervent in faith. Around the age of sixteen he was seized by Irish raiders and carried to Ireland as a slave. For six hard years he tended animals, and in that loneliness his heart awakened to God in constant prayer. He eventually escaped and returned to his family, but the Lord’s call did not leave him. After becoming a cleric, Patrick went back to the land of his captivity as a missionary. In the fifth century he preached Christ across northern and western Ireland, patiently drawing people from pagan worship to the Gospel. Tradition remembers him as a bishop and as the first bishop of Armagh, honored as the Apostle of Ireland and its primary patron, and also venerated as a patron of Nigeria. His feast day is March 17.

Feast Days

Gertrude of Nivelles Abbess, Nun 626–659

Saint Gertrude of Nivelles was born around 628 into a noble Frankish family, likely in the region of Austrasia. Raised amid the intrigues of the royal court, she showed an early and striking devotion to Christ. When she was about ten, a powerful marriage was proposed for political advantage, but Gertrude firmly refused, declaring that she would have no spouse but the Lord. After the death of her father, Pepin of Landen, her mother, Itta of Metz, sought to protect Gertrude from those who would seize her by force for her inheritance. With the counsel of Bishop Amandus, Itta founded the Abbey of Nivelles in what is now Belgium, a monastery for women alongside a community for men. There Gertrude embraced the consecrated life, and after Itta’s death around 652, she became abbess, carrying the burden of governance with faithful administrators and dedicating herself to prayer and the building up of monastic life. She is venerated in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, and is honored as patron of Rotzo. Her feast day is March 17.