St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Saint Jean-Gabriel Perboyre
SAINT OF THE DAY
Patron Saint of: China, missionaries, and Vincentians
Feast Day: September 11

St. Jean-Gabriel Perboyre (1802-1840) was one of eight children born to a farming family in France. He was a pious child and served as a model of virtue for his childhood companions. He discerned a call to the priesthood and joined the Vincentians along with a younger brother, with the full support of his parents. He served as a seminary professor for many years, and his sanctity impressed even his superiors. He longed to serve in the missions to China, but his poor health prevented him and his brother was sent instead. He prayed and begged to also be sent to preach in China and to suffer martyrdom there. After his brother died on the voyage to China, Jean-Gabriel was allowed to take his place in the mission. He arrived in China in 1835 and his labors there were met with great success. In 1839 persecutions broke out against the Christian missionaries, and Jean-Gabriel was one of the first to be arrested. The events leading to his death bear a striking resemblance to the Passion and Death of Christ. He was betrayed to the authorities by one of his new converts for thirty pieces of silver, stripped of his garments and clothed with rags, bound, and dragged from tribunal to tribunal. At each trial, he was brutally treated and tortured. He was finally condemned to death along with seven other criminals on September 11, 1840. He was martyred by being strangled to death as he hung on a cross. His feast day is September 11th.

09/11/2026

Blinded by Self
September 11, 2026
Friday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” Luke 6:39

As we continue reading from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, we encounter what is arguably the shortest parable in all of Scripture—just two brief rhetorical questions: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” Though concise, these lines present a powerful metaphor. Jesus places this parable within a broader moral discourse that warns against rash judgment and exhorts us to mercy. Just before today’s Gospel, He commands, “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). In this context, the parable becomes a pointed reminder that those who are spiritually blind should not presume to lead others, lest they both stumble into error.

This parable illustrates the importance of interior conversion before we attempt to guide others in the moral life. If we are blinded by pride, sin, or ignorance, we risk not only hurting ourselves but leading others astray as well. In that case, our failure to change—rooted in self-deception—becomes a stumbling block for those we influence.

In a modern context, consider a counselor who gives harmful advice to someone in deep distress, a lawyer who misrepresents a client due to incompetence, or a doctor who negligently ignores clear signs of illness, resulting in greater suffering. In each case, the one entrusted with another’s care fails in his duty, not necessarily out of ignorance, but often due to pride, laziness, or complacency.

Spiritual blindness is even more dangerous. As the context of this parable suggests, it stems especially from judging, condemning, and refusing to forgive. These sins are destructive because they are cloaked in a false sense of righteousness. Judgment and condemnation foster pride, and pride blinds the soul to the profound depth of divine mercy we are called to extend—even toward those who have gravely wronged us.

Immediately following this parable, Jesus offers three maxims that apply directly to its message. First, He says, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This affirms the need for humility and proper formation in the spiritual and moral life. We must become true disciples of Christ, submitting ourselves to His instruction, before presuming to teach or correct others in His name.

Second, Jesus asks, “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?” This descriptive image exposes the hypocrisy of focusing on the minor faults of others while remaining blind to our own far more serious sins.

Finally, He declares, “You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” Only when we are purified by grace—when the blinding beam is removed from our own spiritual eyes—can we assist others in seeing the truth. Then, and only then, will our guidance flow from charity rather than pride, from wisdom rather than presumption.

Reflect today on whether you try to guide others while remaining spiritually blind yourself. Consider moments when you may have judged, condemned, or withheld forgiveness, thinking you were justified. If so, recognize that Christ does not condemn you, but lovingly calls you to be healed by restoring your spiritual vision with His grace. Only through humility, honest self-examination, and sincere repentance can we be made clear-sighted and truly helpful to others.

Most humble and perfect Lord, in Your human nature, You were the perfect expression of the Father’s love, shining light into the darkness of our lives by revealing Your truth and mercy. Help me always to humble myself before You and to remain open to the formation You offer, so that I may not only draw closer to You, but also become a more faithful and powerful instrument of Your presence in the world. Jesus, I trust in You.

Image via Adobe Stock

Read entire reflection: https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/2026/09/10/blinded-by-self/

09/11/2026

PARTS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CALENDAR
Understanding How the Church Organizes the Liturgical Year

Have you ever opened a Catholic calendar and wondered why some days are marked “Solemnity,” others “Feast” or “Memorial,” while some are simply ordinary weekdays? Why does Easter move every year? Why does Advent begin the Church’s year? And why can the celebration of a saint appear on one calendar but not another?

The Catholic liturgical calendar can seem complicated at first, but there is a beautiful structure behind it. It is not simply a list of dates and saints. It is the Church’s way of ordering time around the mysteries of Christ, the Paschal Mystery, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints.

1. THE LITURGICAL YEAR: THE BIG PICTURE
The liturgical year is the framework within which the Church celebrates the mysteries of Christ throughout the year. It begins with Advent and unfolds through Christmas Time, Ordinary Time, Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, Easter Time and the second period of Ordinary Time.

The purpose is not merely to remember historical events. Through the liturgy, the Church sacramentally celebrates and enters more deeply into the mystery of Christ. The Catechism therefore describes the liturgical year as the celebration of the whole mystery of Christ, from His Incarnation to His return in glory. (CCC 1163–1173)

2. ADVENT: THE BEGINNING
Advent begins the liturgical year.
It is a season of preparation and expectation, looking both toward the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas and toward His second coming. It consists of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, although its weekdays are also part of the season.

So the Catholic liturgical year does not begin on January 1.
It begins with the First Sunday of Advent.

3. CHRISTMAS TIME: THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION
Christmas Time celebrates the mystery of the Son of God becoming man.
It begins with the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord and continues through the Christmas season, including celebrations such as the Holy Family, Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord.

The Church therefore does not treat Christmas as merely a single day.
The mystery of the Incarnation unfolds through a liturgical season.

4. ORDINARY TIME: THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF CHRIST
“Ordinary” does not mean boring, unimportant or less holy.
Ordinary Time is the period in which the Church walks through the life, ministry and teaching of Christ outside the principal seasonal cycles of Christmas and Easter.

It occurs in two sections: the first after the Christmas season and the second after Pentecost until Advent.

It is a time of continued growth in discipleship; learning to live the Gospel in the ordinary circumstances of life. The USCCB describes it as a time in which the mystery of Christ penetrates more deeply into the life of the faithful.

5. LENT: THE JOURNEY TOWARD EASTER
Lent is the season of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery.
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, the Church calls the faithful to prayer, fasting, almsgiving and conversion of heart.

Lent has a particularly strong connection with Baptism and penance, preparing both catechumens and the faithful to enter more deeply into the celebration of Easter. (CCC 540, 1095; Sacrosanctum Concilium 109)

6. THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM: THE HEART OF THE YEAR
The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the summit of the Church’s liturgical year.
It begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and reaches its culmination in the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.

Here the Church celebrates the central mystery of our salvation: Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

This is why the Triduum is not simply three unrelated ceremonies.
It is one great celebration of the Paschal Mystery.

7. EASTER TIME: FIFTY DAYS OF JOY
Easter is not over when Easter Sunday ends.
The Church celebrates Easter Time for fifty days, from Easter Sunday until Pentecost.

The season celebrates the Resurrection of Christ and leads toward the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The Catechism calls Easter the “Feast of feasts” because the Resurrection stands at the heart of the entire Christian faith. (CCC 1169)

8. SUNDAYS: THE FOUNDATION OF THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Every Sunday is important.
Sunday is the Lord’s Day and the weekly celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. The Second Vatican Council calls Sunday the “original feast day” and describes it as the foundation and kernel of the whole liturgical year.

This is why even when a saint’s celebration falls on a Sunday, the saint does not automatically replace the Sunday celebration. The Church has specific rules determining which celebration takes precedence.

The calendar therefore has an order.

9. SOLEMNITIES, FEASTS AND MEMORIALS: HOW CELEBRATIONS ARE RANKED
Not every celebration on the Catholic calendar has the same liturgical rank.
The principal categories include solemnities, feasts and memorials.

Solemnities are the highest-ranking celebrations. They commemorate the most important mysteries of the faith and certain particularly significant saints.

Feasts are celebrations of a lower rank, including celebrations of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles and other saints.

Memorials commemorate saints or particular mysteries and may be either obligatory or optional according to the liturgical calendar.

This ranking matters because when celebrations coincide, the Church has rules determining which celebration takes precedence.

10. THE GENERAL ROMAN CALENDAR: WHAT IS CELEBRATED UNIVERSALLY?
The General Roman Calendar contains celebrations observed throughout the Roman Rite.
But this does not mean that every Catholic everywhere has exactly the same calendar.
The Church also recognizes legitimate particular calendars.
This distinction is extremely important.

A celebration may be included in the calendar of the universal Roman Rite, while another celebration may be proper to a particular country, diocese, religious institute or other ecclesial community.

11. PARTICULAR CALENDARS: WHY DO LOCAL CALENDARS DIFFER?
This is why you may see a saint or celebration on one Catholic calendar that does not appear on another.
Dioceses, nations and religious communities can have approved celebrations proper to them.
This is not a contradiction.
The Church’s liturgical calendar has both a universal dimension and legitimate local dimensions.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal itself directs the priest to follow the calendar of the church where Mass is being celebrated in the circumstances specified by the liturgical norms.

So when discussing a Catholic calendar, it is always wise to ask:
“Which calendar?”

12. THE LITURGICAL DAY: AND WHY DATES CAN MOVE
Some celebrations occur on fixed dates every year, while others move because they are connected to Easter.
Christmas, for example, is celebrated on December 25.
Easter, however, is a movable feast, and many celebrations connected to Easter therefore move as well.

This is why the Catholic calendar cannot be understood simply as January through December with the same celebrations appearing on exactly the same weekdays every year.

The calendar is structured around the mystery of Christ.

13. THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR HAS A HIERARCHY
This may be one of the most important things to understand.
If two celebrations appear to fall on the same day, the Church does not simply choose whichever one seems more popular.
There are established rules governing the precedence of liturgical days.

The Church gives particular priority to the mysteries of Christ and to the proper cycle of the liturgical year. Vatican II explicitly taught that the proper of the time should receive its due precedence over celebrations of the saints so that the mysteries of salvation may be appropriately recalled.

This is why a saint’s feast can sometimes be transferred, omitted from the liturgical celebration, or commemorated in another permitted way when it coincides with a higher-ranking celebration.

14. SO WHAT IS THE CATHOLIC CALENDAR REALLY DOING?
The Catholic calendar is doing much more than telling us what saint is remembered today.
It is leading the Church through the story of salvation.
Advent teaches us to wait.
Christmas reveals the Incarnation.
Lent calls us to conversion.
The Triduum brings us to the Passion and Death of Christ.
Easter proclaims the Resurrection.
Pentecost celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Ordinary Time teaches us to live the Gospel in the concrete circumstances of daily life.
The saints then appear throughout this journey, not as competitors with Christ, but as witnesses to what God’s grace can accomplish in human lives.

The entire calendar ultimately points in one direction:
Christ.

So the next time you open a Catholic calendar and see a season, solemnity, feast, memorial or ordinary weekday, remember that you are not simply looking at dates.
You are looking at the Church’s way of sanctifying time and walking through the mystery of salvation.

THE CATHOLIC CALENDAR IN ONE GLANCE:
ADVENT → CHRISTMAS → ORDINARY TIME → LENT → TRIDUUM → EASTER → ORDINARY TIME → ADVENT

And throughout the year:
CHRIST → MARY → THE SAINTS → THE CHURCH → THE JOURNEY OF FAITH

The calendar changes from year to year.
The celebrations move.
Some saints appear on universal calendars, others on particular calendars.

But the purpose remains the same:
To lead us through time toward Christ.

What part of the Catholic liturgical calendar did you understand for the first time today?

SOURCES
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC 1163–1173
• Second Vatican Council, Sacrosanctum Concilium, especially nos. 102–111
• General Instruction of the Roman Missal, especially nos. 352–358
• Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Liturgical Year”
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Ordinary Time”

Be Prayerful. Be Inspired.
©Catholic Dailies

09/11/2026

“If you don't behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.”

Ven. Fulton Sheen

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is "timing" it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.”

Ven. Fulton Sheen

09/10/2026

St. Ambrose Edward Barlow
SAINT OF THE DAY
Patron Saint of: England, converts, and Benedictines
Feast Day: September 10
St. Ambrose Edward Barlow (1585-1641) was born near Manchester, England, to a noble family. He was baptized Catholic at his birth, but was raised Protestant when Catholicism was outlawed by the reigning monarchy. His grandfather died while imprisoned for his Catholic faith, and his father had two-thirds of his estate confiscated for refusal to conform to the Church of England. Ambrose returned to Catholicism as an adult, recognized his vocation to the priesthood, and traveled to France to enter seminary. He was ordained in 1617 in the Order of St. Benedict. He returned to England to minister to underground Catholics in his native south Lancashire for 24 years, being financially supported with a pension arranged by his grandmother. Ambrose said Mass daily and administered the sacraments secretly to avoid detection by the authorities. He was arrested four times during his priesthood, each time being released without charge. When the king issued a decree that all Catholic priests should immediately flee the country or be arrested and condemned as traitors, St. Ambrose chose to stay, reasoning that he could not die a better death than to be martyred for being a Catholic priest. On April 25, 1631, just as he ended Easter Sunday Mass at Morley Hall near Manchester, he was arrested by a 400-strong armed mob led by the local Anglican vicar. He freely admitted to the charge of being a Catholic priest, and gave a defense of the true faith before his judge. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, quartered, and boiled in oil on September 10, 1641. His dead body was publicly displayed on a pike as a warning to other Catholic priests. St. Ambrose Edward Barlow is one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His feast day is September 10th.