Friday, March 20, 2026

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lent

Listen to today's Mass in full

Selected Mass Reading

First Reading — Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22

For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right: The time of our life is short and tedious, and in the end of a man there is no remedy, and no man hath been known to have returned from hell: Let us, therefore, lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life. He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the son of God. He is become a censurer of our thoughts. He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, and his ways are very different. We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his father. Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be. For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies. Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness, and try his patience. Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words. These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them. And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.

Feast Days

Cuthbert Bishop of Lindisfarne, Monk, Hermit 635–687

Saint Cuthbert was born around 634 in Dunbar, in the kingdom of Northumbria (now East Lothian, Scotland). Raised near the monastic world of Melrose, he was drawn to Christ after a vision on the night of Saint Aidan’s death, and entered the monastery at Melrose, where his holiness and steady obedience soon made him prior. From there he became a tireless shepherd of souls, traveling to remote villages to preach, reconcile, and heal, winning a reputation as a wonder-worker marked by gentleness and austerity. After the Synod of Whitby, he helped his communities embrace the Roman customs without bitterness, becoming a quiet bridge of unity in a divided time. Longing for deeper prayer, Cuthbert withdrew as a hermit to the Farne Islands, yet continued to counsel those who sought him. Reluctantly called back to serve, he became Bishop of Lindisfarne in 685, then returned to his cell to prepare for death. He died on March 20, 687, and his shrine at Durham became a wellspring of devotion. He is venerated as patron of Northern England. His feast day is March 20.

John of Nepomuk Catholic priest, Vicar general 1340–1393

Saint John of Nepomuk was born around 1345 in the village of Pomuk in Bohemia, today Nepomuk in the Czech Republic. Educated at the University of Prague and later trained in canon law at Padua, he served the Church with distinction, becoming notary to the archbishop and, in 1393, vicar-general of Saint Giles Cathedral in Prague. In a bitter conflict between King Wenceslaus IV and Archbishop Jan of Jenštejn over the freedom and rights of the Church, John stood firm beside his bishop. Arrested and tortured for his loyalty, he endured suffering rather than betray his sacred duty. On March 20, 1393, he was cast from Prague’s Charles Bridge into the Vltava River, dying as a priest and martyr in defense of the Church. Through the centuries he has been venerated as a protector of good name, a patron against calumny, and a guardian in dangers of floods and drowning, with devotion spreading far beyond Bohemia. His feast day is March 20.

Martin of Braga Bishop of Braga, Monk, Missionary, Author, Canon law writer, Abbot, Founder 515–580

Saint Martin of Braga was born around 520 in Pannonia, in Central Europe. Drawn early to the things of God, he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and embraced monastic life. Around 550 he crossed the sea to Hispania and settled in Gallaecia, near today’s Braga in Portugal, where his quiet arrival would become a turning point for the Church. He founded monasteries, most notably at Dumium (Dume), and as bishop there he helped guide the First Council of Braga in 561. Before long he was chosen metropolitan archbishop of Braga and presided over the Second Council of Braga in 572, strengthening the Church’s order and teaching. Martin is venerated especially for leading the Suevi from Arianism into the fullness of Chalcedonian Catholic faith, earning him the title “Apostle to the Suevi.” A learned pastor and spiritual writer, he translated sayings of the Desert Fathers and composed works on virtue, humility, and Christian life. He is patron of Alfaião. His feast day is March 20.