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Dear Friends,
Lent and March always overlap significantly—and, indeed, they go well together. The first hints of spring make us desire its warmth all the more, even though we know that cold tends to linger in the air through March. Similarly, the austerities of Lent make us long for Easter, even though we know that (this year) we’ll have to wait for April. This is a time of longing—not a bad thing: “Simply by making us wait God increases our desire, which in turn enlarges the capacity of the soul, making it able to receive what is to be given to us” (Saint Augustine). This month, may our penance stretch our hearts and prepare us to welcome the Risen Christ.
In Jesus and Mary, |
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Rev. Philip Nolan, O.P. Editor-in-Chief |
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Become a MAGNIFICAT ambassador. Share the following link with family and friends: www.magnificat.com/trial. It offers special trial subscriptions to our printed or digital edition. |
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SAINT WHO?Saints Who Were Stigmatists |
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Many holy women—and some holy men—have shared in Christ’s wounds through the stigmata. |
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…and these great features |
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| Great Conversion Stories by John Janaro
John Thayer, born a Puritan in Boston, was drawn to Catholicism after meeting ordinary faithful in France and Italy. |
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| Our Life in Christ by Father Richard Veras
In Holy Week, we respond in a special way to the Lord’s invitation to seek his presence. |
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| Credible Witnesses by Heather King
Edel Quinn, born in Ireland, did missionary work throughout East Africa before dying of tuberculosis at thirty-six. |
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| A Father’s Blessing by Father Damian Day, O.P.
Priestly fatherhood consists in giving the very life of God to souls through preaching and the sacraments. |
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| She Pondered These Things in Her Heart by Amy Quinn
Children can bring us closer to God by reminding us, in their helplessness, of our own total dependence on him. |
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LECTIO DIVINAA Prayerful Reading of Sacred Scripture |
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“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”
The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Sunday, March 15, 2026) John 9:1-41 |
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| Cover Commentary
Christ and the Samaritan Woman
This mosaic depicts the Lord as Pantocrator, ruler of all, sitting alongside a baptismal pool, whose water he blesses. |
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| | Christ and the Samaritan Woman (mosaic, 15th c.), Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice. |
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Art Commentary
Christ in Gethsemane
In this illustration from a prayer book, Christ stands in the garden of Gethsemane to face his Passion with noble resolve. |
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Christ in Gethsemane (1416), Paul de Limbourg (c. 1386/87–1416), Condé Museum, Chantilly, France. |
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New and Inspiring Books for Children! |
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| Litany of Saint Joseph
Cornerstone of families, pray for us. Support in difficulties, pray for us. Comfort of the sorrowing, pray for us. |
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