Mar. 9 Wednesday of the First Week of Lent; Optional Memorial of St. Frances of Rome, religious, Opt. Mem.

Gospel Verse, Jl 2:12-13:Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, for I am gracious and merciful.Today is Ember Wednesday, the beginning of the Spring or Lent Embertide. There are two principal objects for the Ember Days of this period of the year: the first is to offer to God the season of Spring, and, by fasting and prayer, to draw down His blessing upon it; the second is to ask Him to enrich with His choicest graces the priests and sacred ministers who are to receive their Ordination on Saturday. See also Contemporary Observation of Ember Days and Lenten Ember Days for more information.