March Feasts and Celebrations
MARCH 17
ST. PATRICK, BISHOP
Saint Patrick was a humble, self-educated man who, against great odds, achieved extraordinary things. As a teenager, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He turned to God and underwent a conversion. After escaping, Saint Patrick was convinced that he was called by God to go back to Ireland and walk among those who enslaved him. Returning as a priest, he was eager to spread the gospel. He was a missionary and preacher. St. Patrick died around 493. He is the patron saint of engineers in Ireland and Nigeria.
MARCH 19
SOLEMNITY OF SAINT JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Scripture tells us Saint Joseph was a righteous and just man. He was the husband of Mary, the foster father of Jesus, and a carpenter by trade. He was holy and totally open to all that God wanted to do for him. He is the patron of fathers, workers, the universal church, and a happy death because Mary and Jesus were thought to have been present when Saint Joseph died.
MARCH 25
SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD
Today, we celebrate the Annunciation—the moment Mary accepted the angel Gabriel’s message that she would conceive and bear the Son of the Most High. Mary submitted to God’s will. She is God’s instrument in the incarnation. Mary is the link between heaven and earth. She is the human being who best exemplifies what every member of the Church is meant to become.
