May the Saints & Feast Days for the month of March inspire you to grow closer to Christ Jesus.
March 3: St. Katharine Drexel, 1858-1955
St. Katharine Drexel is the second American-born saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church. In 1884, while her family was visiting the Western states, Katharine saw first-hand the troubling and poor situation of the Native Americans. In 1887, Katharine decided she would give herself and her inheritance to God through service to both Native Americans and African Americans. She wrote, “The feast of St. Joseph brought me the grace to give the remainder of my life to the Indians and the African Americans.” By the time of her death, she had more than 500 Sisters teaching in 63 schools throughout the country and she established 50 missions for Native Americans in 16 different states.
“My sweetest Joy is to be in the presence of Jesus in the holy Sacrament. I beg that when obliged to withdraw in body, I may leave my heart before the holy Sacrament.” – St. Katharine Drexel
March 5: First Friday
“I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.” – Given by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary
March 17: St. Patrick, 387-461 AD
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and a legendary evangelist for Christ. At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish raiders and sold as a slave in Ireland. Forced to work as a shepherd, he suffered greatly from hunger and cold. His captivity however, was the source of his spiritual conversion. After six years Patrick escaped Ireland, and was eventually consecrated bishop at the age of 43. His great desire was to proclaim the good news to the Irish. He returned to Ireland in 433 and converted many people -eventually thousands – and began building churches across the country, until his death in 461.
“Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” – St. Patrick
March 19: The Feast of St. Joseph
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from today, 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021.
“The holy example of Jesus Christ who, while upon earth, honored St. Joseph so highly and was obedient to Him during His life, should be sufficient to inflame thee hearts of all with devotion to this saint.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori
The USCCB, as a Pro-Life activity, has established a novena to St. Joseph entitled “The St. Joseph Adoption Novena” from March 10 to March 18. This is an opportunity to highlight the gift of adoption by seeking the intercession of St. Joseph for the many people whose lives are touched by adoption. Please use this link to sign up for this novena and receive daily prayers and meditations during the 9 days: https://www.usccb.org/committees/pro-life-activities/novena-st-joseph-those-path-adoption-0
March 25: The Annunciation of the Lord
The Solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the coming of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, to announce to her the special mission God had chosen for her to be the mother of His only son.
“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ” Hail, full of grace,the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, *”Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” – Luke 1: 26-31
March 28: Palm Sunday of the Passion of our Lord
The day is called both “Palm Sunday” and “Passion Sunday.”
*The first name comes from the fact that it commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem when the crowd had palm branches (John 12:13).
* The second name comes from the fact that the narrative of the Passion is read on this Sunday (it otherwise wouldn’t be read on a Sunday, since the next Sunday is about the Resurrection). – Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register
