Welcome to the traditional Catholic daily devotional.

Today's Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, the Thursday of the fourth week of Lent and first Thursday, third class with the color of violet.

In this episode, the meditation 40 steps to Easter.

Today's news from the church, who appoints bishops, Rome, or Beijing?

A preview of the sermon, investing in souls,

and today's thought from Archbishop Marcel Lefevre.

But first, the collect of today's Mass.

Grant, we beseech the Almighty God that we who are chastising the flesh by fasting may rejoice

in this holy practice.

And thus, with earthly passion subdued, we may the more readily direct our thoughts to heavenly things.

St. Richard of Chichester didn't exactly have a smooth path to sainthood, but he walked

it faithfully step by step.

Born in 1197, in the little town of Weish, England,

Richard was orphaned young. He gave up his studies to manage his brother's struggling farm.

He did such a good job, though, that his brother offered him the whole estate, and even a great

marriage. But Richard had other plans. He turned it all down to become a priest. He studied at Oxford,

became chancellor of the university, and later served under the great St. Edmund of Canterbury,

right through his battle with King Henry III and into exile. After Edmund's death, Richard

returned home, hoping to quietly serve as a parish priest, but instead he was elected

bishop of Chichester. King Henry hated the choice and refused to recognize him. Richard had no

income and no support, but he still ministered boldly. He was eventually consecrated by the Pope himself

and returned to England, poor, but determined.

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