^{4th Sunday In Lent – Laetare Sunday 2026}
St. Patrick was kidnapped as a boy and taken to Ireland.  After his miraculous escape, he studied in Europe and eventually became a priest and bishop.  He returned to Ireland to preach to its inhabitants and, by the grace of God, converted that nation.

Today Holy Mother the Church gives us a respite from the suffering of Lent so we might celebrate that we are so close to the glory of Easter.  This Gospel reminds us that everything was created for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, because the miracle recounted today foreshadows the Eucharistic Sacrifice.  The reverence shown to the bread and fishes which were multiplied and distributed point to the love and reverence we must give the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.  We should pray to grow in our appreciation of this unfathomable gift.
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