Sexagesima Sunday

February 08, 2026

Friends in Christ,

Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. The first reading in the liturgy for Sexagesima Sunday – the second of three Sundays in the pre-Lenten season of Septuagesima – includes Saint Paul’s mention of a man “caught up to the third heaven” who “heard secret words . . . not granted to man to utter” (or presumably to understand). In the Gospel reading, when asked by His disciples why He speaks to the people in parables, Jesus tells them: “To you it is given to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables: that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”

Our Lord’s enigmatic response to His disciples, who had not understood the parable of the sower themselves, echoes Isaias (6:9): “And he said: Go, and thou shalt say to this people: Hearing, hear, and understand not: and see the vision, and know it not.” Jesus frequently made use of parables that conveyed the meaning of His message in an indirect manner that sometimes baffled those who heard the stories He told. Like a parabola curving from point A to point B, His discourse on such occasions did not follow an easily charted straight line from beginning to end, but took an indirect route to reach its conclusion.

This approach could be mystifying even to His disciples until they became accustomed to it. Sometimes it served the Lord’s purpose by intentionally cloaking the deeper meaning of his words so that those who heard would hear and not understand. This was particularly the case for those parables in which He specifically targeted the Jewish authorities while disguising them as stock figures in His simple stories.

At the end of the parable of the sower, as told by Luke in the Gospel for Sexagesima, Jesus cried out, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” The underlying message of the story, perhaps softened somewhat by the parabolic format, is a hard one: Sadly, many will hear the word of God but, for various reasons, not keep it in their hearts. Only those with “a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, [will] keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience.”

The season of Septuagesima is meant to be a period of prayer and solemn reflection during which we prepare ourselves to embrace wholeheartedly the word of God in Lent, inculcating the same by means of prayer, fasting, penance and good works.


Calendar of Special Observances

Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.

DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)

Sunday, February 8 – Sexagesima Sunday (II)

Monday, February 9 – St. Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, Confessor and Doctor of the Church (III) – Commemoration of St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr

Tuesday, February 10 – St. Scholastica, Virgin (III)

Wednesday, February 11 – The Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate (III)

Thursday, Feb 12 – Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Confessors

Friday, February 13 – Feria (IV)

Saturday, February 14 – Our Lady on Saturday (IV) – Commemoration of St. Valentine, Priest and Martyr


Sexagesima Sunday

The links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the Proper Prayers for Sexagesima Sunday. A link to Dr. Michael P. Foley’s New Liturgical Movement commentary is also provided.


Traditional Latin Mass Schedule

Diocese of Charlotte Sunday Masses

Chapel of the Little Flower (757 Oakridge Farm Road, Mooresville, NC)

  • 10:00 a.m. (Low)
  • 12:00 p.m. (Sung)
  • Chaplain: Fr. Brandon Jones
  • Chapel related questions? Email Father at: tlmchapel(at)rcdoc.org

Note: Only Sunday Latin Masses and Holy Days are offered at the Chapel. This is the only Diocese of Charlotte location which offers the Traditional Latin Mass.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, the Little Flower, pray for us!

Diocese of Raleigh Sunday Masses

  • 1:00 p.m., Sacred Heart (Dunn, NC)
  • 4:30 p.m. - First Sunday, Holy Name Cathedral (Raleigh, NC)
  • For additional locations and Masses please see our Mass Times webpage

Diocese of Charleston Sunday Masses

  • 12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
  • 1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
  • 12:00 p.m., Sacred Heart (Charleston SC)
  • 5:30 p.m., Stella Maris (Sullivans Island, SC)

Diocese of Charleston Daily Traditional Latin Masses

  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m.
  • Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) – Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
  • For additional locations and Masses please see our Mass Times webpage

As a reminder, travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the schedule of Mass times.


Upcoming Special Latin Masses

Wednesday February 18: Ash Wednesday

  • 12:00 p.m. – Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) (Includes distribution of ashes)
  • 6:30 p.m. – Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC) (Includes distribution of ashes)


Traditional Fasting and Abstinence Disciplines During Lent

For those looking to practice the traditional Lenten disciplines in place in 1962, we share a helpful 2010 document from Mater Ecclesiae Latin Mass Chapel in Berlin, New Jersey, which explains the differences between the traditional Lenten rules for fasting and abstinence (now voluntary) that accompanied the Traditional Latin Mass and the current rules. [Discipline of 1962 for Fast during Lent]


Chapel of the Little Flower Announcements


Blessing of Throats

In honor of Saint Blaise (whose feast day was Tuesday), Father Jones will bless throats after both Masses this Sunday February 8

Mass Intentions for Sunday

Sunday February 8 - Intentions of the Buesch family by the Buesch family

Mass intentions for the Chapel of the Little Flower Reopen February 15

The Mass book for the Chapel of the Little Flower will be open again on Sunday, February 15 at 11:30 to allow attendees of both Masses the opportunity to request Mass intentions. If you have already had a Mass offered, please allow others the opportunity to request a Mass. The minimum stipend is $15 and checks must be made out to "Diocese of Charlotte" with "Chapel Mass Stipend" in the memo line or cash will also be accepted. Please be prepared to choose which Mass you are requesting.

Lost and Found

The Chapel has a growing collection of items left behind after Mass. If one is missing a missal, book, or other item, please see the new table in the cry room.

Father Jones’ Contact Info

If one has questions about the Chapel of the Little Flower, that are not related to one’s parish, please email Father Jones directly at: tlmchapel(at)rcdoc.org

Parish Bulletins Now Available at the Chapel

To help Chapel attendees/visitors stay connected with their parishes, the Chapel is providing Sunday bulletins from Saint Ann and Saint Thomas Aquinas parishes.


General Announcements


Sunday Food & Fellowship Potluck at Saint Thomas Aquinas – This Sunday (February 8) will be the monthly Sunday Food and Fellowship at Saint Thomas Aquinas from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you attend Mass at the Chapel, you can always drop by after Mass. Please consider bringing something to share at this sign-up sheet.

Traditional Carmelite Lenten Enrollment – Lent is approaching and the Discalced Hermits of Our Lady of Mount Carmel invite the faithful to enroll their family and friends in this annual Lenten Enrollment. The Hermits will be offering the following for the benefit of those enrolled:

  • 40 Traditional Latin Masses celebrated according to the Carmelite Rite;
  • 40 days of prayer according to the Divine Office, as well as other daily prayers; and
  • 40 days of fasting and penance.

Intentions can be for the living or deceased. There is no charge for enrollment, but the Discalced Hermits survive entirely on alms received from the laity to support their apostolate. Please remember the Hermits in your almsgiving during the Season of Lent.

The deadline to enroll is Tuesday February 17, the day before Ash Wednesday. To enroll in the Lenten Enrollment, click here.

Fr. Ripperger to Offer Lenten Mission at Saint Thomas Aquinas (March 6-7) – Saint Thomas Aquinas parish is blessed to welcome back Fr. Chad Ripperger, SMD, a priest and exorcist with the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (the Doloran Fathers), to offer a Lenten Parish Mission in March. Father will offer the mission on Friday March 6 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday March 7 at 7:00 p.m. Please note: As noted last year, the conference is geared toward adults, and would not be appropriate for younger children. Registration is required. To register click here.

Lenten Adoration Series (Saint Thomas Aquinas) – The parish will hold a Lenten Adoration series on the first three Tuesday evenings in March. Each evening will feature a reflection followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This is a stellar lineup of speakers:

  • Tuesday March 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Fr. Brian Becker, St. Joseph Seminary)
  • Tuesday March 10, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Fr. Matthew Dimock, Sacred Heart parish)
  • Tuesday March 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Greg DiPippo - Editor, New Liturgical Movement)

Please see the flyer at the end of this update.

Support Saint Ann and Saint Thomas Parishes – Our parishes remain the anchor of our spiritual and community lives and continue to promote the sacred traditions, devotions, speakers and catechesis important for the spiritual growth of ourselves and our families. They also need our continued financial support (and occasional visits!). Both parishes would appreciate our continued generosity - especially as we approach Lent.

The FSSP 30-Day Novena to Our Lady thru February 11th – A thirty-day novena is underway in preparation for the renewal of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter’s (FSSP) consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in February. The novena consists of a daily Rosary and Memorare and concludes this February 11 (Our Lady of Lourdes). Saint Ann parish has two parishioners at the FSSP’s seminary in Nebraska. Please consider praying this novena. To learn more click here.

Prayer Request: Healing of Tony Reitz

Rosary for the Traditional Latin Mass – A Rosary is offered for the restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass in the church on Sundays after the 11:30 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.

Daily Holy Face Chaplet for Sacred Liturgy (perpetual novena) – For the preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass, it has been recommended to all friends of the sacred liturgy in the diocese to consider continually praying the powerful Holy Face chaplet, under the banner of Our Lady of the Holy Name. To pray the chaplet, please see this link.

Cardinal Burke’s Prayer for Pope Leo XIV – His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke has released a prayer for Pope Leo XIV. Please see the prayer at the links below and consider praying this daily for the Holy Father as he leads the Church. PDF copies can be accessed at these links: [English] [Español] [Latin]


Holy Face Devotions

Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:

  • St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)
  • St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
  • St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
  • St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Mass)
  • St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Mass)
  • St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m.
  • Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Mass)
  • Saint Elizabeth of the Hill Country (Boone) – Third Tuesday, at 6:45 p.m. after Mass in the Youth Room
  • St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Mass)

Note: Days and times may be subject to change due to holidays.

“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).


Novena to the Holy Face (Begins Monday February 9)

Monday begins the annual novena to the Holy Face of Jesus, in preparation for the Feast of the Holy Face which traditionally occurs on Shrove Tuesday, February 17 (the day before Ash Wednesday).

To participate in the novena, please pray this prayer daily from Monday February 9 – Tuesday February 17.

O Lord Jesus Christ, in presenting ourselves before Thy adorable Face, to ask of Thee the graces of which we stand in most need, we beseech Thee, above all, to give us that interior disposition of never refusing, at any time, to do what Thou require of us by Thy holy commandments and Divine inspirations.

O Good Jesus, Who hast said: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you,” give us, O Lord, that faith which obtains all, or supply in us what may be deficient. Grant us, by the pure effect of Thy charity, and for Thy eternal glory, the graces that we need and that we seek from Thy infinite mercy. (here mention your petition)

Be merciful to us, O God, and reject not our prayers, when amid our afflictions, we call upon Thy Holy Name and seek with love and confidence Thy Adorable Face. We thank Thee, O Lord, for all Thy benefits, and we entreat Thee to engrave in our hearts feelings of love and gratitude, putting upon our lips songs of thanksgiving, to Thine eternal praise. Amen


Traditional Latin Mass and Liturgical News

  • Septuagesima: The Time that the Land Forgot by Dr. Michael P. Foley, The New Liturgical Movement (February 3, 2021). [Septuagesima]
  • The Reading of Genesis in Septuagesima by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (February 16, 2025). [Reading of Genesis]
  • Feast of Saints Simeon and Anne by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (February 3, 2026).[Saints Simeon and Anne]
  • Making Reparation in England’s Lost Catholic Churches by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register (January 30, 2026). [Making Reparation]
  • Ave Regina Caelorum by Greg DiPippo, New Liturgical Movement (February 3, 2025). [Ave Regina Caelorum]
  • A Monastic Revival in America? Two Monks Discuss Renewal in a Post-Christian Age (Video) by St. Michael and Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbeys (January 22, 2026). [A Monastic Revival in America]
  • Audience with Pope Leo XIV, Communiqué of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), January 20, 2026. [Audience with Pope Leo XIV]


Saints and Special Observances

The Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes this Wednesday (February 11) commemorates the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto at Lourdes on February 11, 1858, and seventeen subsequent dates.

The Soubirous family was desperately poor and lived in a squalid one-room dwelling that had formerly been the city jail. Bernadette was asthmatic and, perhaps because of poor health, a slow learner who had yet to master the catechism.

Bernadette went out on the fateful day with her sister, Toinette, and a friend named Jeanne Abadie to collect firewood. While the other girls had only their sabots on their feet, Bernadette had yielded to her mother’s insistence that she wear stockings and take the family cape to shield her against the cold. When the girls reached the rocky promontory known as Massabielle, Toinette and Jeanne decided to wade across the shallow canal that ran nearby in order to seek wood along the bank of the River Gave.

Reluctant to remove her stockings in order to follow, Bernadette watched her sister and their friend make their way through the icy cold water to the other side of the canal and walk away along the Gave. When they disappeared from view, she changed her mind and, leaning against a boulder, she began to pull off a stocking. What follows is her own account of what happened next.

I had hardly begun to take off my stocking when I heard the sound of wind, as in a storm. I turned towards the meadow, and I saw that the trees were not moving at all. I had half-noticed, but without paying any particular heed, that the branches and brambles were waving beside the grotto.

I went on taking my stockings off, and was putting one foot into the water, when I heard the same sound in front of me. I looked up and saw a cluster of branches and brambles underneath the topmost opening in the grotto tossing and swaying to and fro, though nothing else stirred all round.

Behind these branches and within the opening, I saw immediately afterwards a girl in white, no bigger than myself, who greeted me with a slight bow of the head; at the same time, she stretched out her arms slightly away from her body, opening her hands, as in pictures of Our Lady; over her right arm hung a rosary.

Frightened, Bernadette stepped back, wanting to call the other girls but lacking the courage to do so. She lowered her gaze and rubbed her eyes, thinking that she must be seeing things. When she looked up again she saw the girl smiling “most graciously and seeming to invite me to come nearer.”

Then I thought of saying my prayers. I put my hand in my pocket. I took out the rosary I usually carry on me. I knelt down and I tried to make the sign of the Cross, but I could not lift my hand to my forehead: it fell back.

She watched as the girl stepped to one side and turned towards her, holding her own large beads in her hand. When the girl in the grotto crossed herself, Bernadette lifted her trembling hand and found she was able to make the sign of the cross. “After that,” she recalled, “I was not afraid.”

Reciting the Rosary while the other slipped her beads through her fingers but did not move her lips, Bernadette took in every detail of her appearance. She wore a long white dress that covered her from head to toe and an equally long white veil. On each foot was a yellow rose, and around her waist was a blue sash that hung beneath her knees. Even the yellow chain of her rosary and its well-spaced large white beads were taken in by Bernadette as she knelt in prayer.

"The girl was alive, very young and surrounded with light. When I had finished my Rosary, she bowed to me smilingly. She retired within the little niche and disappeared all of a sudden."

Thus was concluded the first of the 18 apparitions that would later be commemorated on February 11th each year as the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pressed by the local priest, Fr. Peyramale, to ask the Lady her name, Bernadette finally obtained an answer on the Feast of the Annunciation: “I am the Immaculate Conception.”

Born on January 7, 1844, Bernadette Soubirous died in the convent of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers on April 16, 1879. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, 1933.

Source: Saint Bernadette Soubirous, 1844-1879 by Abbé François Trochu, translated by John Joyce, S.J. (Rockford, Illinois: TAN Books, 1985).


Closing Commentary

Finally, as we continue into the pre-Lenten season of Septuagesima, we turn again to The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger for a reflection on Sexagesima Sunday which, in the readings for Matins (in the Divine Office), focuses on Noe and the deluge and the opportunity to escape it in our own lives through the practice of the virtues:


Sexagesima Sunday

The earth is deluged by sin and heresy. But the Word of God, the Seed of life, is ever producing a new generation, a race of men, who, like Noah, fear God. It is the Word of God that produces those happy children, of whom the Beloved Disciple speaks, saying: they are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God [St. John, 1. 13]. Let us endeavour to be of this family; or, if we already be numbered among its members, let us zealously maintain our glorious position. What we have to do, during these days of Septuagesima, is to escape from the Deluge of worldliness, and take shelter in the Ark of salvation; we have to become that good soil, which yields a hundred-fold from the heavenly Seed. Let us flee from the wrath to come, lest we perish with the enemies of God: let us hunger after that Word of God, which converteth and giveth life to souls [Ps. xviii]. [Sexagesima Sunday]