MEMORIAL OF SAINT CONON OF NASO, ABBOT; SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT AND SAINT GONTRAN, KING AND CONFESSOR: FEAST DAY: MARCH 28TH 2026

SATURDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT | YEAR A

SAINTS OF THE DAY | MARCH 28, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-march-28th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT CONON OF NASO, ABBOT; SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT AND SAINT GONTRAN, KING AND CONFESSOR

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | March 28, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-march-28-2026/

LENTEN CALENDAR AND REFLECTIONS: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/lenten-prayers-and-reflection-2026/

St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

As we reach this Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent, we stand at the very gates of Holy Week. Today’s liturgy shifts from the “stones of rejection” to a vision of ultimate gathering. Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord promises a “Covenant of Peace” that will unite a scattered people into one nation under one Shepherd. This prophecy finds its startling fulfillment in the Gospel, where even the cold pragmatism of the High Priest Caiaphas becomes a divine oracle: it is better for “One Man” to die so that the whole world might be gathered into one. We are accompanied today by a trio of holy shepherds: Saint Conon, the nobleman who became a miracle-working abbot to feed the hungry; Saint Gontran, the king who ruled with the heart of a repentant father; and Saint Stephen Harding, the Englishman who founded a legacy of charity and simplicity. As we prepare to join the crowds in Jerusalem for the Passover, let us purify ourselves and cast away the idols of our old lives. May we, like the pilgrims in the temple area, look for Jesus with a new heart, trusting that the Shepherd who guards His flock will turn our Lenten mourning into the eternal joy of Zion. Amen. 🙏🏽

LENTEN REFLECTION

DAY 34: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/day-34-lenten-prayers-and-reflections-2026/

Day Thirty-Four: Gathered into One
(Saturday, Fifth Week of Lent)

Scripture Passage:
“Jesus was going to die… to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” (John 11:51-52)

We have tasted the radical freedom that comes from living in God’s truth.
We have traded our fear of spiritual “death” for the certainty of Grace.
We have found our peace in the presence of the “Mighty Champion.”

Today Lent invites us to move from our individual journey into the unity of the Body of Christ.

Meditative Reflection

We have spent our Lenten Journey looking inward, refining our habits, and stitching our hearts back to the Source of Life. But as we stand on the threshold of Holy Week, God reveals a larger purpose for our transformation. Jesus did not die just to save us as individuals; He died to “gather into one” all those who were scattered. Our sins and our ego are what scatter us, they create walls between us and God, and between us and our neighbor. But a transformed heart is a magnet for unity. As we have become more like Christ over these five weeks, we should find ourselves less prone to division, less quick to judge, and more eager to build bridges. Tomorrow, we will hold palm branches and shout “Hosanna,” joining a massive crowd of believers. We are no longer walking this path alone. The strength we found on Day 28 and the love we practiced on Day 29 of our Lenten Journey were all leading to this: becoming part of a people gathered by the sacrifice of Jesus. As the Lenten “desert” ends and the “Passion” begins, we ask for the grace to stay united with Christ and His Church. We are moving from the “I” of personal penance to the “We” of the Paschal Mystery.

Reflection Questions

Have my Lenten sacrifices made me more patient and unified with the people around me?
What walls of pride or resentment am I still holding onto that keep me scattered from others?
Am I ready to walk with the whole Church into the intensity of Holy Week?

Lenten Question

Q: Why is the Saturday before Palm Sunday sometimes called “Lazarus Saturday” in some traditions?
A: It commemorates Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle is the final sign that leads directly to the plot to kill Jesus, setting the stage for the events of Holy Week. It reminds us that Christ’s power over death is what ultimately gathers us together.

Lenten Action

Reach out to someone you have been “scattered” from, perhaps someone you haven’t spoken to in a while or someone you’ve had a disagreement with. Send a simple message of peace or a prayer to signal that your heart is open and ready for unity.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the journey of these thirty-four days. You died to gather Your children into one; help me to be an instrument of that unity. As I prepare to enter Holy Week, strip away any remaining selfishness that keeps me isolated. Bind my heart to Yours and to my brothers and sisters, so that we may walk the way of the Cross together. Amen. 🙏🏽

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Fifth Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent | March 28, 2026
Reading I: Ezekiel 37:21–28
Responsorial Psalm: Jeremiah 31:10, 11–12abcd, 13
Gospel: John 11:45–56

Gospel Reading ~ John 11:45–56

“It is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.”

Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him. So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In the Gospel, we witness the paradox of Caiaphas. Speaking from a place of political survival and cold pragmatism, he suggests that Jesus must be eliminated to save the Jewish nation from Roman intervention. He intends it as a murder plot, but God uses his words as a profound prophecy. Caiaphas thinks in terms of a single nation’s political safety; God thinks in terms of the salvation of the entire world. This “one man” who dies does not just save a nation from an earthly empire, but gathers all the “dispersed children of God” into a single, eternal family. It is a reminder that even the most hostile human intentions cannot thwart the redemptive plan of the Father.

As the Passover nears, Jesus withdraws to the desert town of Ephraim. This is the quiet before the storm. The crowds in the temple area are looking for Him, wondering if He will dare to come to the feast. We see two groups: those who believe because of His signs and those who plot because of their fears. This tension mirrors our own spiritual lives. When we see God’s works, do we move toward belief, or do we allow our fears—fears of losing our “land,” our status, or our control to push us toward resisting His will?

The First Reading from Ezekiel provides the beautiful vision of what this sacrifice will achieve. God promises to gather His children from “all sides” to bring them back to their land. The division of the two kingdoms is over; they will be “one nation” under “one shepherd.” This prophecy of an “everlasting covenant of peace” is what Jesus fulfills on the Cross. It is not just a return to a physical land, but a return to a state of holiness where God’s sanctuary is set up among us forever. Through Christ, we are cleansed from our “sins of apostasy” to become truly His people.

The Responsorial Psalm (from Jeremiah 31) echoes this joy of the gathered flock. “The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.” It describes a scene of incredible restoration: the ransom of Jacob from the hand of the conqueror and the streaming of the faithful toward the Lord’s blessings. The image of the young and old dancing together and mourning being turned into joy is the promise of the Resurrection. It reminds us that while the Sanhedrin plans for death, God is planning for a “consolation” that will gladden His people after their sorrows.

As we prepare to enter Holy Week tomorrow with Palm Sunday, we are invited to “purify ourselves” just as the pilgrims did in Jerusalem. We must cast away our transgressions and ask for a “new heart and a new spirit.” The prophecy of Caiaphas is about to come true in a way he never imagined. Reflect today: Are you part of the “gathering” or the “scattering”? Can you trust that the “One Man” who died for you is the Shepherd who will never let you be lost among the nations?

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, You who gather the dispersed and cleanse the hearts of Your people, we thank You for the “everlasting covenant of peace” sealed in the blood of Your Son. Help us to recognize that Jesus is the one Shepherd who leads us out of the desert of our sins. When we are tempted by fear or pragmatism, give us the grace of Caiaphas’s prophecy but without his hardness of heart. Turn our mourning into joy as we prepare to follow Your Son to the heights of Zion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | MARCH 28TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections| March 28th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Conon, Saint Gontran, and Saint Stephen Harding | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-march-28th/

SAINT CONON OF NASO, ABBOT: Saint Conon (1139–1236) was a nobleman who, like the “servant David,” chose to leave behind his inheritance to serve the poor. He was a man of “signs” and “wondrous deeds,” once rescuing a priest from the “snake” of greed through a prophetic vision. Even after his death, he continued to “gather his children” from the threat of famine, appearing to a ship captain to redirect grain to his starving people in Naso. He reminds us that the “Lord will guard us” in our times of dire need and that a life lived in “childlike simplicity” and obedience can become a “sanctuary” of hope for generations to come.

PRAYER: Holy Abbot Conon, you who gave up worldly wealth to find the “land” of God’s presence, intercede for us in our moments of distress. When we are tempted to “hoard” our blessings, convict our hearts as you did the priest on pilgrimage. Help us to “shout for joy” on the heights of Zion, trusting that the Lord will always provide for those who keep His word. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT: Saint Stephen (1050–1134) was a “shepherd who guarded his flock” with high ideals and a “new heart.” As a founder of the Cistercian Order, he sought to bring the monks back to the “land” of the original Rule of Saint Benedict—one of simplicity, austerity, and hard work. When his community faced the “mourning” of poverty and a lack of vocations, he did not despair but remained a “prince” of prayer. His patience was rewarded when Saint Bernard of Clairvaux arrived with thirty followers, turning the monastery’s sorrow into the “joy” of a flourishing movement. By drafting the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), he ensured an “everlasting covenant” of unity among Cistercian houses, teaching us that when we are “wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things,” God will multiply our efforts.

PRAYER: Lord, You gave Saint Stephen Harding the wisdom to organize a community of peace and the courage to live by Your statutes. Through his intercession, help us to cast away all that defiles our spirit and to live with a simplicity that honors You. May we be “ransomed” from the hand of our own pride and follow the one true Shepherd with a new and generous heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT GONTRAN, KING AND CONFESSOR: Today’s saint, St. Gontran (532–592) is a perfect example of God’s mercy…and forgiveness… King Gontran was a man who lived for years turned away from the Lord. His life was seeped in sin and evil deeds. He ruled over his kingdom with a barbarian manner. His name actually means ‘war raven’. He was first married to a former slave, who after he divorced her, became jealous and tried to poison another of his wives. He then married a woman named Mercatrude, but after years of marriage, he decided he no longer liked living with her so he divorced her, and went on to marry a third wife. All the while he was living a pagan lifestyle and his personal life was in shambles. A low point in the king’s life was when his ex- wife Mercatrude became ill, the King sent for a doctor to cure her, but when no cure could be found, he had the doctor murdered. It was at this point the king had a conversion of heart. It seems, the ‘good’ king was like the rest of us in regards to having to hit rock bottom, before lifting his eyes towards the Lord and turning his life around. By turning his own “mourning” for his past sins into tears of deep repentance, he became a “rock of refuge” for the oppressed and the sick. His reign proves that the “maxims of the Gospel” are the only true way to render a government prosperous and a nation holy.

PRAYER: Saint Gontran, you who reigned with mercy and sought to be the “tender parent” of your people, pray for us. Intercede especially for those who are divorced, for guardians, and for those seeking the grace of true repentance. Help us to “purify ourselves” as we approach the Passover of the Lord, so that we may witness the “vengeance” of God’s love over our sins. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Conon, Saint Gontran, and Saint Stephen Harding — pray for us. 🙏🏽

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR UNITY, THE HEALING OF DIVORCED FAMILIES, REPENTANCE, AND THE PROTECTION OF LEADERS

As we prepare to enter Holy Week, let us ask the Lord to gather us into one, turning our mourning into joy. Lord, we pray for the unity of the Church and the gathering of all dispersed nations; through the intercession of Saint Stephen Harding, grant us a “new spirit” of charity and the strength to live by Your statutes. We lift up all political leaders, guardians, and those struggling with the pain of divorce; through the example of Saint Gontran (Patron of divorced people and guardians), grant them the heart of a “tender parent” and the courage to prioritize peace over power. We pray for all who are suffering from famine or lack of basic needs; through the prayers of Saint Conon, redirect the resources of the world to feed the hungry and restore the “land” of the poor. May we all be “cleansed” this day as we prepare for the Feast. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/a-prayer-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH: For disarmament and peace. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH: MONTH OF SAINT JOSEPH: The Church dedicates the month of March to Saint Joseph, the humble and faithful guardian of the Redeemer. Though he spoke no recorded words in Scripture, his life preached obedience, courage, responsibility, and silent strength. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father: protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.” Saint Joseph was entrusted with the greatest treasure Heaven could give Jesus and Mary and he fulfilled that mission with quiet fidelity. He protected the Holy Family in danger, labored diligently to provide for them, and trusted God even when he did not fully understand the divine plan. In this month, we are invited to imitate his virtues: deep trust in God, purity of heart, faithful service, and steadfast responsibility in our own vocations. Like Saint Joseph, may we learn to act with courage, listen in silence, and obey God promptly. May this Month of Saint Joseph strengthen fathers, guide families, protect workers, and inspire all of us to live hidden yet holy lives before God.

Saint Joseph, pray for us. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=2

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this day, we offer Him a prayer of gratitude and entrust the days ahead to His loving providence. We pray for God’s grace and mercy as we continue our spiritual journey. May this Lenten journey help us to seek You in the secret places of our hearts. May the peace, hope, and steady guidance that flow from walking daily with Christ shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in love and holiness. As we journey onward into this new month, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed through prayer, fasting, penance, and generosity to the poor. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a reflective, spiritually enriching, most blessed, and grace-filled Lenten Season. Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Conon, Saint Gontran, and Saint Stephen Harding ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings,and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/