Daily Readings
FEBRUARY 23, 2026 – LENT DAY 6 – ST. PETER DAMIAN & ST. SERENUS
Orphan Peter survives cruel brother, monks up, becomes Cardinal who slaps simony and antipopes. Plus gardener Serenus: tells ladies “wrong hour, ladies,” gets falsely accused, then beheaded for Christ.
FEBRUARY 22, 2026 – FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT – ST. PETER’S CHAIR AT ANTIOCH.
Peter skips straight to Antioch, plants the first big see, coins the word “Christians.” Today we celebrate that very Chair with the same joy as his martyrdom.
FEBRUARY 21, 2026 – LENT DAY 4 – ST. SEVERIANUS, MARTYR, BISHOP.
Empress-backed heretic floods Palestine with blood. Bishop Severianus alone refuses to kneel. Result? Hauled outside the city and butchered for loving two natures.
FEBRUARY 20, 2026 – LENT DAY 3 – ST. EUCHERIUS, BISHOP.
Born rich, dedicated to God at birth, ditches palace for abbey penance. Forced into bishop’s chair, tells off Charles Martel for robbing churches—gets exiled twice. Dies happy in prayer.
FEBRUARY 19, 2026 – LENT DAY 2 – ST. BARBATUS, BISHOP.
Young priest Barbatus preaches to stubborn sinners who slander him out. Back in Benevento, he battles golden vipers and pagan trees—then becomes bishop and crushes them all.
FEBRUARY 18, 2026 – ASH WEDNESDAY – ST. SIMEON, BISHOP, MARTYR.
Dust to dust: Ash Wednesday smacks us with our end—empires crumble, beauty fades. Lent begins; repent or rust. St. Simeon at 120 crucified for Christ. Face facts.
FEBRUARY 17, 2026 – ST. FLAVIAN, BISHOP, MARTYR.
Elected patriarch, Flavian snubs the emperor’s bribe, condemns heresy—then gets beaten bloody by rivals at a rigged council. Dies in exile, faithful to Rome.
FEBRUARY 16, 2026 – BLESSED JOHN DE BRITTO, MARTYR. & ST. ONESIMUS, DISCIPLE OF ST. PAUL.
From royal page boy mocked for piety to Jesuit rebel who outran family drama and exile to convert Madura’s masses, until a vengeful queen’s fury beheaded him.
FEBRUARY 15, 2026 – STS. FAUSTINUS AND JOVITA, MARTYRS.
Quinquagesima Sunday whispers, “Party’s almost over.” Before Lent steals the spotlight, peek inside the Church’s holy prep: ancient feasts, Forty Hours devotion, and saints who didn’t flinch.
FEBRUARY 14, 2026 – ST. VALENTINE, PRIEST AND MARTYR.
From Roman prison to heavenly fame, Valentine ditched Juno’s naughty games for sainthood. Clubs, swords, and faith created the wildest February 14 ever.
