Wednesday Basics: Today's Lenten Reflection, Scripture Readings, Homily, & Catholic History

Lenten Reflection for Wednesday, Fourth Week of Lent

Today's Scripture readings

Homily of the Day

Today in Catholic History

543 The Italian monk Benedict of Nursia (b. ca. 480), author of the Benedictine rule (which established the pattern for European monastic life through the Middle Ages), died at Monte Cassino.

1098 The monastery in Citeaux, France, was founded by Saint Robert, abbot of Molesme and a Benedictine monk. This was the origin of the Roman Catholic religious order known as the Cistercians.

1146 Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), one of the most famous theologians and monks of his day, had been preaching for a second crusade, and King Louis VII of France took up the cause and led the ill-fated mission to regain the crusader capital of Edessa.

1800 Pius VII (1742–1823) was crowned Pope in Venice with a temporary papal tiara made of papier-mâché.
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