Franciscan Spirit

Mary Magdalene is one of the main characters in the story of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection.

“No mother should bear the death of her son.” I heard that sentiment expressed in my family as a teenager, when my favorite uncle died of cancer in his forties.

Saint John Paul II in his life, his ministry as pope, and especially his dying, lived that mystery.

Isaiah 50:4–9a; Psalm 69:8–10, 21–22, 31, 33–34; Matthew 26:14–25

Isaiah 49:1–6; Psalm 71:1–2, 3–4a, 5–6ab, 15, 17; John 13:21–33, 36–38 Peter is a central character in the Passion narratives. On Palm Sunday each year, we hear the story of his denial of Jesus.

Isaiah 42:1–7; Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13–14; John 12:1–1 During Holy Week, the liturgy begins telling the story of the passion of Jesus. The four Gospels do not offer consistent versions of Jesus’ passion and death. They know nothing of ...