This Day in the Church

The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. This walks through the Easter Vigil, and includes the words to the Exsultet.

Except for the resurrection on Easter, Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church. Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood.

The Stations of the Cross, which follow the path of Christ from Pontius Pilate’s praetorium to Christ’s tomb are a popular devotion in parishes during Lent. In the 16th century, this pathway was officially entitled the “Via Dolorosa” (Sorrowful Way) or simply Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross.

After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, “I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me.” They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.

“Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have endowed him with my spirit that he may bring true justice to the nations. He does not cry out or shout aloud, or make his voice heard in the streets. He does not break the crushed reed, nor quench the wavering flame” (Is 42:1-2).

Saint John of Egypt (? – 394), also known as John the Hermit or John the Anchorite (Latin: Iohannes anchorita), was one of the hermits of the Nitrean desert. He began as a carpenter and left to solitude after receiving a divine call. According to hagiographer Alban Butler, John was noted for performing seemingly absurd acts at the bidding of the Holy Spirit, such as rolling rocks from place to place and cultivating dead trees. He then withdrew to the top of a cliff, where he could avoid all human contact.

Today is the historical feast of St. Dismas, the good thief and St. Margaret Clitherow, wife and mother who was one of the English martyrs.

According to the Roman Martyrology, the feast of St. Catherine of Sweden, the fourth child of St. Bridget of Sweden, is celebrated today.

St Toribio, or Turibius Alphonsus Mogrobejo, a Spaniard, served God from his infancy. Appointed Archbishop of Lima, he landed in South America in 1581. He died March 23, 1606, having, by his indefatigable zeal and by the boundlessness of his charity, literally renewed the face of the Church of Peru. His feast in the 1962 calendar of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on April 27.

Today is the optional memorial of Blessed Clemens August von Galen, Bishop of Münster (1933-1946).