The first four days fall of March fall during the liturgical season known as Tempus per Annum or Ordinary Time (formerly known as Time after Epiphany) which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remainder of the month of March is the liturgical season of Lent which is represented by the liturgical color violet or purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart. All saint days that are usually Memorials are shifted to Optional Memorials during the season of Lent.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of March 2025
For families in crisis:
Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences.
The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph.
Feasts for March 2025
2. EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Sunday
3. Katharine Drexel (USA), Opt. Mem.
4. Tuesday Before Ash Wednesday (Mardi Gras), Opt. Mem.
7. Perpetua and Felicity, Opt. Mem.
8. John of God, Opt. Mem.
9. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday
16. SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday
17. Patrick, Opt. Mem.
18. Cyril of Jerusalem, Opt. Mem.
19. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF MARY, Solemnity
23. THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday
25. ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD, Solemnity
30. FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, Sunday
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospel readings for the Sundays in both Ordinary Time and the Lenten season are from Cycle C, unless a parish has catechumens, so they would then follow Cycle A. The Weekday readings follow Week I and the annual Lenten readings.
| March 2nd Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time |
Cycle C, Luke 6:39-45: From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. |
| March 9 First Sunday of Lent |
Year C, Luke 4:1-13: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert and was tempted. |
| March 16 Second Sunday of Lent |
Cycle C, Luke 9:28b-36: When he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. |
| March 23 Third Sunday of Lent |
Cycle C, Luke 13:1-9: If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did. |
| March 30 Fourth Sunday of Lent |
Cycle C, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: Your brother was dead and has come to life again. |
At the beginning of this month, we will embark on our journey to the cross by receiving ashes and donning the purple of penance. During this month our journey to the cross with our acts of penitence. We will reflect on our mortality (Remember man thou art dust) and the shortness of life (and to dust thou shall return). We will heed the call, Now is the acceptable time, now is “the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).” Just like Our Lord's earthly life every moment of our lives is leading up to the last moment—when for eternity we will either go to God or suffer the fires of hell.
From catholicculture.org
