February 15
Monday, week 1 of Lent
Feast shown for the year 2027; movable feasts can vary from year to year.
Monday of the First Week of Lent marks an important step on the Church’s journey toward Easter. Lent began on Ash Wednesday, and by this point the faithful are settling into days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, mindful of Christ’s forty days in the desert. On this 'ferial' day—meaning there is no special saint or feast observed—the liturgy encourages all Christians to deepen their conversion of heart.
The readings and prayers of today focus on humility, repenting from sin, and seeking God’s mercy. In the Gospel, Jesus often challenges his listeners to love others in concrete ways and to return wholeheartedly to God. These early days of Lent invite the Catholic faithful to renew themselves spiritually by penance and to cultivate a greater love for God and neighbor, as preparation for sharing in the joy of Christ’s resurrection.
The choice of violet vestments emphasizes penance and transformation, while the simpler liturgical observance (without special feast) gives space for more personal reflection. The "ferial" days of Lent, such as today, are intentionally less festive, helping believers focus on spiritual growth and preparation rather than celebration. They remind Catholics that the Lenten journey is both a communal and deeply personal call to holiness.
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Liturgical texts of February 15, 2027
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingLv 19, 1-2.11-18
The Lord spoke to Moses and said:
"Speak to the whole assembly of the sons of Israel.
You shall say to them:
Be holy,
because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
You shall not steal, you shall not lie,
you shall not deceive any of your compatriots.
You shall not swear falsely by my name:
you would profane the name of your God.
I am the Lord.
You shall not exploit your neighbor, you shall not strip him:
you shall not withhold until morning the wages of a hired worker.
You shall not curse a deaf person,
you shall not place an obstacle in front of a blind person:
you shall fear your God.
I am the Lord.
When you sit in judgment,
you shall not commit injustice;
you shall not show favoritism to the weak,
you shall not favor the powerful:
you shall judge your compatriot with justice.
You shall not spread slander against someone of your people,
you shall not demand the death of your neighbor.
I am the Lord.
You shall not hate your brother in your heart.
But you must rebuke your compatriot,
and you shall not tolerate the fault that is in him.
You shall not take revenge.
You shall not hold a grudge against the sons of your people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the Lord."
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 18B (19), 8, 9, 10,15
The law of the Lord is perfect,
it revives the soul;
the decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
they gladden the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
it enlightens the eyes.
The fear the Lord inspires is pure,
it endures forever;
the judgments of the Lord are true
and truly just.
Welcome the words of my mouth,
the whisper of my heart;
may they come before you,
Lord, my rock, my redeemer!
GospelMt 25, 31-46
At that time,
Jesus said to his disciples:
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
then he will sit on his throne of glory.
All the nations will be assembled before him;
he will separate the people one from another,
as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats:
he will place the sheep at his right, and the goats at his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right:
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father,
receive as your inheritance the Kingdom
prepared for you since the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food;
I was thirsty and you gave me drink;
I was a stranger and you welcomed me;
I was naked and you clothed me;
I was sick and you visited me;
I was in prison and you came to me!'
Then the righteous will answer him:
'Lord, when did we see you...?
you were hungry and we gave you food?
you were thirsty and we gave you drink?
you were a stranger and we welcomed you?
you were naked and we clothed you?
you were sick or in prison...
When did we come to you?'
And the King will answer them:
'Truly, I tell you:
every time you did it
to one of the least of these brothers of mine,
it was to me that you did it.'
Then he will say to those at his left:
'Away from me, you accursed ones,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you did not give me food;
I was thirsty and you did not give me drink;
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me;
I was naked and you did not clothe me;
I was sick and in prison, and you did not visit me.'
Then they also will answer:
'Lord, when did we see you
hungry, thirsty, naked, a stranger, sick or in prison,
without ministering to you?'
He will answer them:
'Truly, I tell you:
every time you did not do it
to one of the least of these,
it was to me that you did not do it.'
And they will go away, these ones to eternal punishment,
and the righteous to eternal life."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org