Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!
Prayer Petitions for April 1, 2026
Saint Benjamin the Deacon
The Christians in Persia had enjoyed twelve years of peace during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III, when in 420 it was disturbed by the indiscreet zeal of Abdas, a Christian Bishop who burned the Temple of Fire, the great sanctuary of the Persians. King Isdegerd threatened to destroy all the churches of the Christians unless the Bishop would rebuild it.
As Abdas refused to comply, the threat was executed; the churches were demolished, Abdas himself was put to death, and a general persecution began which lasted forty years. Isdegerd died in 421, but his son and successor, Varanes, carried on the persecution with great fury. The Christians were submitted to the most cruel tortures.
Among those who suffered was St. Benjamin, a Deacon, who had been imprisoned a year for his Faith. At the end of this period, an ambassador of the Emperor of Constantinople obtained his release on condition that he would never speak to any of the courtiers about religion.
St. Benjamin, however, declared it was his duty to preach Christ and that he could not be silent. Although he had been liberated on the agreement made with the ambassador and the Persian authorities, he would not acquiesce in it, and neglected no opportunity of preaching. He was again apprehended and brought before the king. The tyrant ordered that reeds should be thrust in between his nails and his flesh and into all the tenderest parts of his body and then withdrawn. After this torture had been repeated several times, a knotted stake was inserted into his bowels to rend and tear him. The martyr expired in the most terrible agony about the year 424.
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Mass Readings for March 31, 2026
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
John 13:21-33, 36-38
Isaiah 49:1-6
(1) Pay attention, you islands, and listen closely, you far away peoples. The Lord has called me from the womb; from the womb of my mother, he has been mindful of my name (2) And he has appointed my mouth as a sharp sword. In the shadow of his hand, he has protected me. And he has appointed me as an elect arrow. In his quiver, he has hidden me (3) And he has said to me: “You are my servant, Israel. For in you, I will glory. (4) And I said: “I have labored toward emptiness. I have consumed my strength without purpose and in vain. Therefore, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work is with my God. (5) And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb as his servant, so that I may bring back Jacob to him, for Israel will not be gathered together, but I have been glorified in the eyes of the Lord and my God has become my strength (6) and so he has said: “It is a small thing that you should be my servant so as to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and so as to convert the dregs of Israel. Behold, I have offered you as a light for the Gentiles, so that you may be my salvation, even to the furthest regions of the earth.
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
(1) A Psalm of David. Of the sons of Jonadab and the former captives. In you, O Lord, I have hoped; do not let me be brought to ruin forever (2) Free me by your justice, and rescue me. Incline your ear to me, and save me (3) Be a God of protection and a place of strength for me, so that you may accomplish my salvation. For you are my firmament and my refuge (4) Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the sinner, and from the hand of the unjust and those who act against the law (5) For you, O Lord, are my patience: my hope from my youth, O Lord (6) In you, I have been confirmed from conception. From my mother’s womb, you are my protector. In you, I will sing forever (15) My mouth will announce your justice, your salvation all day long. For I have not known letters (17) You have taught me from my youth, O God. And so I will declare your wonders continuously
John 13:21-33, 36-38
(21) When Jesus had said these things, he was troubled in spirit. And he bore witness by saying: “Amen, amen, I say to you, that one among you shall betray me. (22) Therefore, the disciples looked around at one another, uncertain about whom he spoke (23) And leaning against the bosom of Jesus was one of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved (24) Therefore, Simon Peter motioned to this one and said to him, “Who is it that he is speaking about? (25) And so, leaning against the chest of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it? (26) Jesus responded, “It is he to whom I shall extend the dipped bread.” And when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon (27) And after the morsel, Satan entered into him. And Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly. (28) Now none of those sitting at table knew why he had said this to him (29) For some were thinking that, because Judas held the purse, that Jesus had told him, “Buy those things which are needed by us for the feast day,” or that he might give something to the needy (30) Therefore, having accepted the morsel, he went out immediately. And it was night (31) Then, when he had gone out, Jesus said: “Now the Son of man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him (32) If God has been glorified in him, then God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him without delay (33) Little sons, for a brief while, I am with you. You shall seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to go,’ so also I say to you now (36) Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus responded: “Where I am going, you are not able to follow me now. But you shall follow afterward. (37) Peter said to him: “Why am I unable to follow you now? I will lay down my life for you! (38) Jesus answered him: “You will lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the rooster will not crow, until you deny me three times.
Prayer Petitions for March 31, 2026
Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!
Saint Peter Regalado
Saint Peter Regaldo lived at a very busy time. The Great Western Schism (1378-1417) was settled at the Council of Constance (1414-1418). France and England were fighting the Hundred Years’ War, and in 1453 the Byzantine Empire was completely wiped out by the loss of Constantinople to the Turks. At Peter’s death the age of printing had just begun in Germany, and Columbus’s arrival in the New World was less than 40 years away.
Peter came from a wealthy and pious family in Valladolid, Spain. At the age of 13, he was allowed to enter the Conventual Franciscans. Shortly after his ordination, he was made superior of the friary in Aguilar. He became part of a group of friars who wanted to lead a life of greater poverty and penance. In 1442 he was appointed head of all the Spanish Franciscans in his reform group.
Peter led the friars by his example. A special love of the poor and the sick characterized Peter. Miraculous stories are told about his charity to the poor. For example, the bread never seemed to run out as long as Peter had hungry people to feed. Throughout most of his life, Peter went hungry; he lived only on bread and water.
Immediately after his death on March 31, 1456, his grave became a place of pilgrimage. Peter was canonized in 1746.
Photo credit: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Mass Readings for March 30, 2026
Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
John 12:1-11
Isaiah 42:1-7
(1) Behold my servant, I will uphold him, my elect, with him my soul is well-pleased. I have sent my Spirit upon him. He will offer judgment to the nations (2) He will not cry out, and he will not show favoritism to anyone; neither will his voice be heard abroad (3) The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoldering wick he will not extinguish. He will lead forth judgment unto truth (4) He will not be saddened or troubled, until he establishes judgment on earth. And the islands will await his law (5) Thus says the Lord God, who created the heavens and expanded it, who formed the earth and all that springs from it, who gives breath to the people in it, and spirit to those walking on it (6) I, the Lord, have called you in justice, and I have taken your hand and preserved you. And I have presented you as a covenant of the people, as a light to the Gentiles (7) so that you may open the eyes of the blind, and lead out the prisoner from confinement and those sitting in darkness from the house of incarceration
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
(1) A Psalm of David, before he was sealed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid (2) Meanwhile, the guilty draw near to me, so as to eat my flesh. Those who trouble me, my enemies, have themselves been weakened and have fallen (3) If entrenched armies were to stand together against me, my heart would not fear. If a battle were to rise up against me, I would have hope in this (13) I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living (14) Wait for the Lord, act manfully; and let your heart be strengthened, and remain with the Lord
John 12:1-11
(1) Then six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethania, where Lazarus had died, whom Jesus raised up (2) And they made a dinner for him there. And Martha was ministering. And truly, Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at table with him (3) And then Mary took twelve ounces of pure spikenard ointment, very precious, and she anointed the feet of Jesus, and she wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment (4) Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was soon to betray him, said (5) “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the needy? (6) Now he said this, not out of concern for the needy, but because he was a thief and, since he held the purse, he used to carry what was put into it (7) But Jesus said: “Permit her, so that she may keep it against the day of my burial (8) For the poor, you have with you always. But me, you do always not have. (9) Now a great multitude of the Jews knew that he was in that place, and so they came, not so much because of Jesus, but so that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead (10) And the leaders of the priests planned to put Lazarus to death also (11) For many of the Jews, because of him, were going away and were believing in Jesus
Prayer Petitions for March 30, 2026
Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!
Palm Sunday of The Lord’s Passion
On Palm Sunday, also known as the Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, the Christian world steps into Holy Week, marking the commencement of a period steeped in profound religious significance. This day memorializes Christ’s majestic entry into Jerusalem, an event that saw the city’s inhabitants lay their garments on the streets, heralding him as their sovereign with shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
In the Western Church tradition, the observance of Palm Sunday begins with the blessing of palms. These palms, destined for the subsequent procession, are sanctified, setting the stage for the retelling of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Should logistical constraints prevent an outdoor procession, a solemn entrance within the church suffices, maintaining the ceremonial essence.
The day’s hymns and psalms echo Christ’s kingly dignity, while Palm Sunday’s alternative moniker, Fig Sunday, hearkens back to the cursing of the fig tree by Christ, integrating a tradition of consuming figs. Across England, the day has borne various names like Olive or Branch Sunday and Sunday of the Willow Boughs, each reflecting local botanical substitutes for palms.
Customs around Palm Sunday have evolved distinctly across regions. In Slavic nations, for instance, the blessed palms traverse homes, fields, and outbuildings in a ritual seeking divine safeguarding and blessings on the land and its yield.
Historical accounts, such as that of the pilgrim Egeria, confirm the practice of Palm Sunday processions as far back as the 4th century in Jerusalem, indicating the deep-rooted tradition of commemorating this event. By the 8th century, texts like the Gallican Bobbio Missal already documented the palm blessing, symbolizing Christ’s triumph.
While the grandeur of the Middle Ages has given way to more subdued observances in the Western Church, the essence of Palm Sunday — reflective of Christ’s victory and anticipation of the Passion — remains unchanged. Notably, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday originate from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, linking the cycle of penitence and renewal to this significant day.
Editorial credit: jorisvo / Shutterstock.com
Mass Readings for March 29, 2026
Matthew 21:1-11
Isaiah 50:4-7
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
Philippians 2:6-11
Philippians 2:8-9
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Matthew 27:11-54
Matthew 21:1-11
(1) And when they had drawn near to Jerusalem, and had arrived at Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples (2) saying to them: “Go into the town that is opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Release them, and lead them to me (3) And if anyone will have said anything to you, say that the Lord has need of them. And he will promptly dismiss them. (4) Now all this was done in order to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet, saying (5) “Tell the daughter of Zion: Behold, your king comes to you meekly, sitting on a donkey and on a colt, the son of one accustomed to the yoke. (6) Then the disciples, going out, did just as Jesus instructed them (7) And they brought the donkey and the colt, and they laid their garments on them, and they helped him sit upon them (8) Then a very numerous crowd spread their garments on the way. But others cut branches from the trees and scattered them on the way (9) And the crowds that preceded him, and those that followed, cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! (10) And when he had entered into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this? (11) But the people were saying, “This is Jesus, the Prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.
Isaiah 50:4-7
(4) The Lord has given me a learned tongue, so that I would know how to uphold with a word, one who has weakened. He rises in the morning, he rises to my ear in the morning, so that I may heed him like a teacher (5) The Lord God has opened my ear. And I do not contradict him. I have not turned back (6) I have given my body to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who plucked them. I have not averted my face from those who rebuked me and who spit on me (7) The Lord God is my helper. Therefore, I have not been confounded. Therefore, I have set my face like a very hard rock, and I know that I will not be confounded
Psalm 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24
(8) All those who saw me have derided me. They have spoken with the lips and shook the head (9) He has hoped in the Lord, let him rescue him. Let him save him because he chooses him (17) For many dogs have surrounded me. The council of the malicious has besieged me. They have pierced my hands and feet (18) They have numbered all my bones. And they have examined me and stared at me (19) They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment, they cast lots (20) But you, O Lord, do not take your help far from me; be attentive to my defense (23) I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the Church, I will praise you (24) You who fear the Lord, praise him. All the offspring of Jacob, glorify him
Philippians 2:6-11
(6) who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be seized (7) Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and accepting the state of a man (8) He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even the death of the Cross (9) Because of this, God has also exalted him and has given him a name which is above every name (10) so that, at the name of Jesus, every knee would bend, of those in heaven, of those on earth, and of those in hell (11) and so that every tongue would confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father
Philippians 2:8-9
(8) He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even the death of the Cross (9) Because of this, God has also exalted him and has given him a name which is above every name
Matthew 26:14-27:66
(14) Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the leaders of the priests (15) and he said to them, “What are you willing to give me, if I hand him over to you?” So they appointed thirty pieces of silver for him (16) And from then on, he sought an opportunity to betray him (17) Then, on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? (18) So Jesus said, “Go into the city, to a certain one, and say to him: ‘The Teacher said: My time is near. I am observing the Passover with you, along with my disciples.’ (19) And the disciples did just as Jesus appointed to them. And they prepared the Passover (20) Then, when evening arrived, he sat at table with his twelve disciples (21) And while they were eating, he said: “Amen I say to you, that one of you is about to betray me. (22) And being greatly saddened, each one of them began to say, “Surely, it is not I, Lord? (23) But he responded by saying: “He who dips his hand with me into the dish, the same will betray me (24) Indeed, the Son of man goes, just as it has been written about him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of man will be betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born. (25) Then Judas, who betrayed him, responded by saying, “Surely, it is not I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said it. (26) Now while they were eating the meal, Jesus took bread, and he blessed and broke and gave it to his disciples, and he said: “Take and eat. This is my body. (27) And taking the chalice, he gave thanks. And he gave it to them, saying: “Drink from this, all of you (28) For this is my blood of the new covenant, which shall be shed for many as a remission of sins (29) But I say to you, I will not drink again from this fruit of the vine, until that day when I will drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father. (30) And after a hymn was sung, they went out to the Mount of Olives (31) Then Jesus said to them: “You will all fall away from me in this night. For it has been written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. (32) But after I have risen again, I will go before you to Galilee. (33) Then Peter responded by saying to him, “Even if everyone else has fallen away from you, I will never fall away. (34) Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, that in this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. (35) Peter said to him, “Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke similarly (36) Then Jesus went with them to a garden, which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples, “Sit down here, while I go there and pray. (37) And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and saddened (38) Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me. (39) And continuing on a little further, he fell prostrate on his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass away from me. Yet truly, let it not be as I will, but as you will. (40) And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able to keep vigil with me for one hour (41) Be vigilant and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (42) Again, a second time, he went and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this chalice cannot pass away, unless I drink it, let your will be done. (43) And again, he went and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy (44) And leaving them behind, again he went and prayed for the third time, saying the same words (45) Then he approached his disciples and said to them: “Sleep now and rest. Behold, the hour has drawn near, and the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of sinners (46) Rise up; let us go. Behold, he who will betray me draws near. (47) While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people (48) And he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: “Whomever I will kiss, it is he. Take hold of him. (49) And quickly drawing close to Jesus, he said, “Hail, Master.” And he kissed him (50) And Jesus said to him, “Friend, for what purpose have you come?” Then they approached, and they put their hands on Jesus, and they held him (51) And behold, one of those who were with Jesus, extending his hand, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear (52) Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword (53) Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels (54) How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so? (55) In that same hour, Jesus said to the crowds: “You went out, as if to a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me. Yet I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not take hold of me (56) But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples fled, abandoning him (57) But those who were holding Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had joined together (58) Then Peter followed him from a distance, as far as the court of the high priest. And going inside, he sat down with the servants, so that he might see the end (59) Then the leaders of the priests and the entire council sought false testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death (60) And they did not find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. Then, at the very end, two false witnesses came forward (61) and they said, “This man said: ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and, after three days, to rebuild it.’ (62) And the high priest, rising up, said to him, “Have you nothing to respond to what these ones testify against you? (63) But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I bind you by an oath to the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. (64) Jesus said to him: “You have said it. Yet truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven. (65) Then the high priest tore his garments, saying: “He has blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy (66) How does it seem to you?” So they responded by saying, “He is guilty unto death. (67) Then they spit in his face, and they struck him with fists. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands (68) saying: “Prophesy for us, O Christ. Who is the one that struck you? (69) Yet truly, Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a maidservant approached him, saying, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean. (70) But he denied it in the sight of them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying. (71) Then, as he exited by the gate, another maidservant saw him. And she said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. (72) And again, he denied it with an oath, “For I do not know the man. (73) And after a little while, those who were standing nearby came and said to Peter: “Truly, you also are one of them. For even your manner of speaking reveals you. (74) Then he began to curse and to swear that he had not known the man. And immediately the rooster crowed (75) And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which he had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And going outside, he wept bitterly (1) Then, when morning arrived, all the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death (2) And they led him, bound, and handed him over to Pontius Pilate, the procurator (3) Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he had been condemned, regretting his conduct, brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the leaders of the priests and the elders (4) saying, “I have sinned in betraying just blood.” But they said to him: “What is that to us? See to it yourself. (5) And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed. And going out, he hanged himself with a snare (6) But the leaders of the priests, having taken up the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple offerings, because it is the price of blood. (7) Then, having taken counsel, they bought the potter’s field with it, as a burying place for sojourners (8) For this reason, that field is called Haceldama, that is, ‘The Field of Blood,’ even to this very day (9) Then what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one being appraised, whom they appraised before the sons of Israel (10) and they gave it for the potter’s field, just as the Lord appointed to me. (11) Now Jesus stood before the procurator, and the procurator questioned him, saying, “You are the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You are saying so. (12) And when he was accused by the leaders of the priests and the elders, he responded nothing (13) Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how much testimony they speak against you? (14) And he did not respond any word to him, so that the procurator wondered greatly (15) Now on the solemn day, the procurator was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whomever they wished (16) And at that time, he had a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas (17) Therefore, having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it that you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? (18) For he knew that it was out of envy they had handed him over (19) But as he was sitting in the place for the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying: “It is nothing to you, and he is just. For I have experienced many things today through a vision for his sake. (20) But the leaders of the priests and the elders persuaded the people, so that they would ask for Barabbas, and so that Jesus would perish (21) Then, in response, the procurator said to them, “Which of the two do you want to be released to you?” But they said to him, “Barabbas. (22) Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do about Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified. (23) The procurator said to them, “But what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified. (24) Then Pilate, seeing that he was able to accomplish nothing, but that a greater tumult was occurring, taking water, washed his hands in the sight of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man. See to it yourselves. (25) And the entire people responded by saying, “May his blood be upon us and upon our children. (26) Then he released Barabbas to them. But Jesus, having been scourged, he handed over to them, so that he would be crucified (27) Then the soldiers of the procurator, taking Jesus up to the praetorium, gathered the entire cohort around him (28) And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him (29) And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, with a reed in his right hand. And genuflecting before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews. (30) And spitting on him, they took the reed and struck his head (31) And after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, and clothed him with his own garments, and they led him away to crucify him (32) But as they were going out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they compelled to take up his cross (33) And they arrived at the place which is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary (34) And they gave him wine to drink, mixed with gall. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it (35) Then, after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment they cast lots. (36) And sitting down, they observed him (37) And they set his accusation above his head, written as: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS (38) Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left (39) But those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads (40) and saying: “Ah, so you would destroy the temple of God and in three days rebuild it! Save your own self. If you are the Son of God, descend from the cross. (41) And similarly, the leaders of the priests, with the scribes and the elders, mocking him, said: (42) “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, and we will believe in him (43) He trusted in God; so now, let God free him, if he wills him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ (44) Then, the robbers who were crucified with him also reproached him with the very same thing (45) Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the entire earth, even until the ninth hour (46) And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (47) Then certain ones who were standing and listening there said, “This man calls upon Elijah. (48) And one of them, running quickly, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he set it on a reed and he gave it to him to drink (49) Yet truly, the others said, “Wait. Let us see whether Elijah will come to free him. (50) Then Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, gave up his life (51) And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart (52) And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints, which had been sleeping, arose (53) And going out from the tombs, after his resurrection, they went into the holy city, and they appeared to many (54) Now the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were very fearful, saying: “Truly, this was the Son of God. (55) And in that place, there were many women, at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him (56) Among these were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (57) Then, when evening had arrived, a certain wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, arrived, who himself was also a disciple of Jesus (58) This man approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be released (59) And Joseph, taking the body, wrapped it in a clean finely-woven linen cloth (60) and he placed it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and he went away (61) Now Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher (62) Then the next day, which is after the Preparation day, the leaders of the priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate together (63) saying: “Lord, we have remembered that this seducer said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days, I will rise again. (64) Therefore, order the sepulcher to be guarded until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples may come and steal him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ And this last error would be worse than the first. (65) Pilate said to them: “You have a guard. Go, guard it as you know how. (66) Then, going out, they secured the sepulcher with guards, sealing the stone
Matthew 27:11-54
(11) Now Jesus stood before the procurator, and the procurator questioned him, saying, “You are the king of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “You are saying so. (12) And when he was accused by the leaders of the priests and the elders, he responded nothing (13) Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how much testimony they speak against you? (14) And he did not respond any word to him, so that the procurator wondered greatly (15) Now on the solemn day, the procurator was accustomed to release to the people one prisoner, whomever they wished (16) And at that time, he had a notorious prisoner, who was called Barabbas (17) Therefore, having been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it that you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ? (18) For he knew that it was out of envy they had handed him over (19) But as he was sitting in the place for the tribunal, his wife sent to him, saying: “It is nothing to you, and he is just. For I have experienced many things today through a vision for his sake. (20) But the leaders of the priests and the elders persuaded the people, so that they would ask for Barabbas, and so that Jesus would perish (21) Then, in response, the procurator said to them, “Which of the two do you want to be released to you?” But they said to him, “Barabbas. (22) Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do about Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified. (23) The procurator said to them, “But what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let him be crucified. (24) Then Pilate, seeing that he was able to accomplish nothing, but that a greater tumult was occurring, taking water, washed his hands in the sight of the people, saying: “I am innocent of the blood of this just man. See to it yourselves. (25) And the entire people responded by saying, “May his blood be upon us and upon our children. (26) Then he released Barabbas to them. But Jesus, having been scourged, he handed over to them, so that he would be crucified (27) Then the soldiers of the procurator, taking Jesus up to the praetorium, gathered the entire cohort around him (28) And stripping him, they put a scarlet cloak around him (29) And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, with a reed in his right hand. And genuflecting before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews. (30) And spitting on him, they took the reed and struck his head (31) And after they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, and clothed him with his own garments, and they led him away to crucify him (32) But as they were going out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, named Simon, whom they compelled to take up his cross (33) And they arrived at the place which is called Golgotha, which is the place of Calvary (34) And they gave him wine to drink, mixed with gall. And when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it (35) Then, after they had crucified him, they divided his garments, casting lots, in order to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying: “They divided my garments among them, and over my vestment they cast lots. (36) And sitting down, they observed him (37) And they set his accusation above his head, written as: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS (38) Then two robbers were crucified with him: one on the right and one on the left (39) But those passing by blasphemed him, shaking their heads (40) and saying: “Ah, so you would destroy the temple of God and in three days rebuild it! Save your own self. If you are the Son of God, descend from the cross. (41) And similarly, the leaders of the priests, with the scribes and the elders, mocking him, said: (42) “He saved others; he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him descend now from the cross, and we will believe in him (43) He trusted in God; so now, let God free him, if he wills him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ (44) Then, the robbers who were crucified with him also reproached him with the very same thing (45) Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over the entire earth, even until the ninth hour (46) And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (47) Then certain ones who were standing and listening there said, “This man calls upon Elijah. (48) And one of them, running quickly, took a sponge and filled it with vinegar, and he set it on a reed and he gave it to him to drink (49) Yet truly, the others said, “Wait. Let us see whether Elijah will come to free him. (50) Then Jesus, crying out again with a loud voice, gave up his life (51) And behold, the veil of the temple was torn into two parts, from top to bottom. And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split apart (52) And the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the saints, which had been sleeping, arose (53) And going out from the tombs, after his resurrection, they went into the holy city, and they appeared to many (54) Now the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, having seen the earthquake and the things that were done, were very fearful, saying: “Truly, this was the Son of God.
Prayer Petitions for March 29, 2026
Please comment below to leave your prayer request. As your request will be prayed for, please also pray for the petitions of others! Remember in your prayers, those in purgatory, all those suffering around the world, and for the intentions of the Pope! Lord, hear our prayer!








