February 13
Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
The 'Saturday after Ash Wednesday' marks the first Saturday in the season of Lent, a sacred time set aside by the Church for repentance, penance, and preparation for Easter. This particular day does not commemorate a saint, but it guides the faithful deeper into the Lenten journey, emphasizing interior conversion and charity towards others. The Gospel readings for this day often focus on themes central to Lent: humility, the call to follow Christ, and care for one’s neighbor, showing how fasting and prayer should lead to concrete acts of mercy. Historically, the Roman liturgy assigned special Masses and processions to the days immediately following Ash Wednesday, encouraging the community to embrace the penitential spirit of Lent from its very outset. The Church, through this observance, invites each Christian to use these days as an opportunity for a renewed commitment to God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Permanent link
Ask a question about today’s feast
Questions about Saturday after Ash Wednesday (Novus Ordo Missae)
Liturgical texts of February 13, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingIs 58, 9b-14
Thus says the Lord:
If you do away with the yoke from among you,
the accusatory gesture, the malicious word,
if you give to the hungry what you yourself desire,
and if you satisfy the desires of the afflicted,
your light will rise in the darkness
and your darkness will be like the noonday light.
The Lord will always guide you.
In the heart of the desert, he will fulfill your desires
and give you strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
You will rebuild the ancient ruins,
you will restore the age-old foundations.
You will be called: “The Repairer of Breaches”,
“The Restorer of Paths for Use”.
If you refrain from journeying on the sabbath day,
from handling your business on my holy day,
if you call the sabbath a “delight”
and declare “glorious” the Lord’s holy day,
if you honor it by refraining from
travel, business, and negotiations,
then you will find your delight in the Lord;
I will let you ride upon the heights of the land,
I will give you as your food the heritage of Jacob your father.
Yes, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
– The word of the Lord.
Psalm85 (86), 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Hear me, O Lord, answer me,
for I am poor and afflicted.
Watch over me, for I am faithful, O my God,
save your servant who relies on you.
Have mercy on me, Lord,
you whom I call every day.
Lord, gladden your servant:
to you I lift up my soul!
You who are good and forgiving,
full of love for all who call on you,
hear my prayer, Lord,
listen to my plea.
GospelLc 5, 27-32
At that time,
Jesus went out and noticed a tax collector
(that is, a collector of taxes)
named Levi
sitting at the tax booth.
He said to him:
"Follow me."
Leaving everything behind,
the man got up; and followed him.
Levi gave a great banquet for Jesus in his house;
there was a large crowd of tax collectors and other people
sitting at table with them.
The Pharisees and the scribes of their group complained
by saying to his disciples:
"Why do you eat and drink
with tax collectors and sinners?"
Jesus answered them:
"It is not those who are healthy
who need the physician,
but those who are sick.
I have not come to call the righteous
but sinners,
so that they may turn back."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org