It's the
Wednesday in Holy Week,
1st Class, with the color of
Violet. In this episode: the meditation: "The Virtue of Fortitude", today's news from the Church: "Bishop Schneider: Why Publicly Attack the SSPX", a preview of the Sermon: "The Abasement of Our Lord", and today's thought from the Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
Have feedback or questions about the DD or our other shows?
podcast@sspx.org
Sources Used Today:
- "The Virtue of Fortitude" — Toward Easter
- "Bishop Schneider: Why Publicly Attack the SSPX" (FSSPX.news)
- "The Abasement of Our Lord" (SSPX Sermons)
- The Spiritual Life — Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (Angelus Press)
Saint Mary of Egypt is one of the most striking examples of repentance and transformation in the history of the Church. She was born in the fourth century, likely in Egypt, and from a young age fell into a life of grave sin. By her own account, she lived many years in impurity, driven not by necessity but by a restless desire for pleasure. Eventually, she traveled to Jerusalem, drawn not by devotion, but by curiosity and distraction.
There, something unexpected happened. As she tried to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, she found herself mysteriously unable to cross the threshold. Others passed freely, but she was held back, as if by an invisible force. In that moment, she became aware of the weight of her sins. Looking to an image of the Blessed Virgin, she prayed for the first time with sincerity, asking for mercy and promising to change her life.
Immediately, she was able to enter the church and venerate the Cross. Afterward, she left the city and crossed the Jordan River into the desert, where she would spend the rest of her life in prayer and penance. For nearly fifty years, Mary lived in solitude, enduring hunger, thirst, and the memory of her past sins. Yet through this long purification, her soul was transformed by grace.
Near the end of her life, she was discovered by the monk Zosimas, to whom she recounted her story. He found in her not the woman she had once been, but a soul radiant with holiness. According to tradition, she received Holy Communion from him and died shortly after, alone in the desert she had embraced for love of God.
The Church honors Saint Mary of Egypt as a model of perfect repentance. Her life shows that no sin is beyond the reach of God’s mercy, and that even the most wounded soul can be restored through humility and perseverance.
In Eastern Christian tradition, she is especially venerated during Lent, when her story is read as a powerful call to conversion. Her feast invites the faithful to reflect on the seriousness of sin and the greater power of grace.
Her example continues to inspire those seeking a new beginning, reminding all that true freedom is found not in indulgence, but in surrender to God.
Saint Mary of Egypt, repentant sinner and faithful servant of Christ, pray for us.
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Explore more:
What is the SSPX Podcast?
The SSPX Podcast is produced by Angelus Press, which has as its mission the fortification of traditional Catholics so that they can defend the Faith, and reaching out to those who have not yet found Tradition.
What is the SSPX?
The main goal of the Society of Saint Pius X is to preserve the Catholic Faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood.
Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and the traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.
Although the traditional Latin Mass is the most visible and public expression of the work of the Society, we are committed to defending Catholic Tradition in its entirety: all of Catholic doctrine and morals as the Church has always defended them. What people need is the Catholic Faith, without compromise, with all the truth and beauty which accompanies it.
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