February 23, 2026, Memorial of St. Polycarp, Holy Rosary (Joyful Mysteries)

By being obedient to his heavenly Father, Christ made atonement for all our disobediences and set us free from the slavery of Satan and of sin.

In his resurrection, his human nature was glorified by God the Father, and if we follow Christ faithfully in this life, we will all be offered a share in an eternal life of glory.

During the forty days of Lenten, we make a commitment to fasting or giving up certain things in our lives as an act of penitence.

The number 40 is significant throughout Scripture; Noah was on the Ark for 40 days, Moses fasted 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments, and Jesus spent 40 days fasting in preparation for His work on earth.

The celebration of Lent is not a commandment but an opportunity to renew our faith and edify our spirit.

Today is the Optional Memorial of St. Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155), who was converted to Christianity by St. John the Evangelist. He was a disciple of the apostles and a friend of St. Ignatius of Antioch. He suffered martyrdom in 155 by burning at the stake in the amphitheater of Smyrna.

Today’s Gospel tells us that we must practice charity and perform works of mercy to all, without distinction, in the name of Christ. When our Blessed Lord comes to us in the Eucharist today, he will give us the joy of hearing his invitation to possess the kingdom prepared for us by his Father from the foundation of the world.