January – Christ’s light
- Liturgical context: Christmas season ends 11 January 2026, then Ordinary Time resumes 12 January.
- Theme: Incarnation and beginning again.
- Book: “Introduction to the Devout Life” – St Francis de Sales (on holiness in daily duties).
- Bible passage: John 1:1–18 (the Word made flesh).
- Saint quote: “Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things, but in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us.” – St Teresa of Calcutta.
- Concrete practices:
February – Conversion and mercy
- Liturgical context: Ordinary Time until 17 Feb; Lent begins Ash Wednesday 18 Feb 2026.
- Theme: Repentance and God’s mercy.
- Book: “The Confessions” – St Augustine (selected chapters).
- Bible passage: Luke 15 (prodigal son and parables of mercy).
- Saint quote: “Nothing whatever pertaining to godliness and real holiness can be accomplished without grace.” – St Augustine.
- Concrete practices:
- Prepare a thorough examination of conscience; go to confession at least once.
- Fast from one comfort and give the saved money to the poor.
March – Deep Lent
- Liturgical context: Core of Lent, with Palm Sunday on 29 March 2026.
- Theme: Interior combat.
- Book: “The Imitation of Christ” – Thomas à Kempis (meditate one short chapter per day).
- Bible passage: Matthew 4:1–11 (Jesus’ temptation) and Isaiah 53.
- Saint quote: “Sanctity consists in struggling… in heroically trying to overcome [our defects].” – St Josemaría Escrivá.
- Concrete practices:
April – Holy Week and Easter
- Liturgical context: Holy Week (29 March–4 April), Easter Sunday 5 April 2026; Easter season begins.
- Theme: Passion and Resurrection.
- Book: “Conversation with Christ” – Peter Rohrbach (on mental prayer).
- Bible passage: John 13–20 (Last Supper to Resurrection).
- Saint quote: “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.” – St John Paul II.
- Concrete practices:
- Pray the Way of the Cross on Fridays.
- Spend at least 15 minutes weekly in silent adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.
May – Mary and the Spirit
- Liturgical context: Easter season continues to Pentecost (24 May 2026).
- Theme: Marian devotion and openness to the Holy Spirit.
- Book: “True Devotion to the Holy Spirit” – Archbishop Luis Martínez or “True Devotion to Mary” – St Louis de Montfort.
- Bible passage: Acts 1–2 (Ascension and Pentecost with Mary).
- Saint quote: “Holiness is a disposition of the heart, which renders us humble and little in the hands of God.” – St Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Concrete practices:
- Pray at least one decade (or full Rosary) daily for the Church.
- Consecrate yourself or your family to Mary or the Holy Spirit.
June – Sacred Heart and reparation
- Liturgical context: Ordinary Time with the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart (date per 2026 calendar after Corpus Christi).
- Theme: The Heart of Jesus and reparation.
- Book: “In Silence with God” – Benedict Baur (on recollection).
- Bible passage: John 19:31–37 (the pierced Heart).
- Saint quote: “Behold this Heart which has so loved men…” – Jesus to St Margaret Mary (summarized from her revelations).
- Concrete practices:
- First Friday communion of reparation (if possible).
- Daily act of reparation for sins against the Eucharist and purity.
July – Spiritual combat in ordinary life
- Liturgical context: Ordinary Time.
- Theme: Perseverance in small battles.
- Book: “Spiritual Combat” – Lorenzo Scupoli.
- Bible passage: Ephesians 6:10–20 (armor of God).
- Saint quote: “Holiness… depends on God’s love; every daily act can be transformed into an act of love.” – St Ursula Ledóchowska.
- Concrete practices:
- Offer each day’s work explicitly for a specific intention.
- Choose one “hidden” sacrifice daily (no complaints, no one knows).
August – Hope and heaven
- Liturgical context: Ordinary Time, with the Assumption (15 August).
- Theme: Heavenly hope.
- Book: “Story of a Soul” – St Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Bible passage: Colossians 3:1–17 (“Seek the things that are above”).
- Saint quote: “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” – St Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Concrete practices:
- Meditate weekly on the Glorious mysteries.
- Visit a cemetery once this month to pray for the dead and remember eternity.
September – Word of God and study
- Liturgical context: Ordinary Time, Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September).
- Theme: Love for Scripture.
- Book: “Conversation with God” daily meditations (or any solid daily commentary on readings).
- Bible passage: 2 Timothy 3:14–17 and Psalm 119 selections.
- Saint quote: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” – St Jerome.
- Concrete practices:
- Lectio divina 3–4 times per week (Read–Meditate–Pray–Contemplate).
- Memorize at least one verse per week.
October – Mission and the Rosary
- Liturgical context: Month of the Rosary and World Mission Sunday; Ordinary Time.
- Theme: Evangelization and Marian prayer.
- Book: “All for Jesus” – Frederick Faber, or a missionary saint biography (e.g., St Francis Xavier).
- Bible passage: Matthew 28:16–20 (Great Commission) and Acts 13.
- Saint quote: “Do not be afraid to be holy! … Full, true freedom is born from holiness.” – St John Paul II.
- Concrete practices:
- Pray the Rosary (or at least one mystery) for missions daily.
- Share one explicit faith testimony this month (family, media, or parish).
November – Saints and the dead
- Liturgical context: All Saints (1 Nov), All Souls (2 Nov), final weeks of Ordinary Time focusing on last things.
- Theme: Holiness and eternity.
- Book: “Uniformity with God’s Will” – St Alphonsus Liguori (short but powerful).
- Bible passage: Revelation 7 and 21–22.
- Saint quote: “If God does not desire me to be a saint, He would not have created me a reasonable being.” – St Peter Julian Eymard.
- Concrete practices:
- Daily prayer for souls in purgatory; if possible, visit a cemetery during the indulgenced days.
- Reflect weekly on death, judgment, heaven, hell in a serene, hopeful way.
December – Advent and preparation
- Liturgical context: Advent begins 29 November 2026; focus this month on waiting and hope.
- Theme: Preparation for Christ.
- Book: “The Way” or “Christ is Passing By” (homilies) – St Josemaría Escrivá, or an Advent devotional.
- Bible passage: Isaiah 9, Luke 1–2.
- Saint quote: “Do not be afraid to be saints.” – St John Paul II (youth exhortations).
- Concrete practices:
- Keep a simple Advent wreath or crib devotion; reduce external noise (media fasting).
- Choose one concrete reconciliation (forgive someone, repair a relationship) before Christmas.
Nelson MCBS 
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