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▶About Today
February 27
Saint Gregory of Narek, Abbot and Doctor of the Church
Commemoration
Saint Gregory of Narek (c. 951–1003) was a monk and priest from Armenia, the first nation to adopt Christianity as its official religion. He spent his entire adult life in a monastery, devoted to prayer, teaching, and writing.
Saint Gregory’s most enduring legacy is The Book of Lamentations (also called The Book of Narek), a collection of ninety-five prayers that open with the cry of a soul speaking to God “from the depths of the heart.” These prayers reveal a man profoundly aware of human sin and weakness, yet unwavering in his confidence in God’s mercy. They are not prayers of despair, but of hope—hope born from humility, repentance, and love.
From a young age, Saint Gregory had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom he saw as his true spiritual mother. His writings reflect the Eastern Christian tradition, which teaches the faith through prayer, poetry, and song rather than arguments.
For centuries, especially during times of suffering and persecution, the Armenian people prayed Saint Gregory’s words daily. His prayers became a source of comfort and strength for an entire nation.
In 2015, Pope Francis declared Saint Gregory of Narek a Doctor of the Church, and in 2021 he was added to the Roman liturgical calendar. Today, his prayers are offered to the whole Church as an invitation to humility, repentance, and trust in God’s mercy.
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.
Mass Readings
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
First Reading
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, That dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our gu...
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Refrain: The Lord is kind and merciful.
Gospel
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squ...
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.