Lenten Quote

Our monks go robed in rain and snow, But the heart of flame therein, But you go clothed in feasts and flames, When all is ice within; Nor shall all iron dooms make dumb Men wondering ceaselessly, If it be not better to fast for joy Than feast for misery.

~ G.K. Chesterton, "The Ballad of the White Horse

Doesn't that last phrase just sum up the mentality of Lent?  We are not fasting with sackcloth and ashes on the street corners, proclaiming our sufferings like the Pharisees. Instead we are fasting with a joy given to us by Christ, because we know that we would not have this time of penance and prayer if He had not died to save us.  It is much better to be fasting with joy now - though it is hard sometimes - then to be ignorant of lent and feasting away with misery in our hearts.

Holy Saturday

Concluding Prayer for the Stations of the Cross

Almighty and eternal God! Merciful Father! Who has given to the human race Thy beloved Son as an example of humility, obedience and patience, to precede us on the Way of Life, bearing the cross: graciously grant that we, inflamed by His infinite love, may take upon us the sweet yoke of His Gospel and mortification of the cross, following Him as His true disciples, so that we may one day gloriously ride with Him and joyfully hear the final sentence: Come, ye blessed of My Father, and possess the kingdom which was prepared for you from the beginning. Where Thou reignest with the Son and the Holy Ghost, and where we hope to reign with Thee, world without end. Amen.

Good Friday - The Stations of the Cross

XIII. Station

Jesus is taken down from the cross.

V. We adore, Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Meditation

Jesus did not descend from the cross, but remained on it until He died. And when taken down from it, He, in death as in life, rested on the bosom of His divine Mother. Persevere in your resolutions of reform and do not part from the cross: he who persevereth to the end shall be saved. Consider, moreover, how pure the heart should be that receives the body and blood of Christ in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar.

Prayer

O Lord Jesus! Thy lifeless body, mangled and lacerated, found a worthy resting-place on the bosom of Thy Virgin Mother. Have I not often compelled Thee to dwell in my heart, despite its unworthiness to receive Thee? Create in me a new heart, that I may worthily receive Thy most sacred body in holy communion, and that Thou mayest remain in me and I in Thee, for all eternity.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

XIV. Station

Jesus is laid in the sepulcher.

V. We adore, Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Meditation

The body of Jesus is interred in a stranger’s sepluchre. He who in this world had not whereupon to rest His head would not even have a grave of His own, because He was not of this world. You who are so attached to the world henceforth despise it, that you may not perish with it.

Prayer

O Jesus! Thou hast set me apart from the world: what, then, shall I seek therein? Thou hast created me for heaven; what, then, shall I have to do with the world? Depart from me, deceitful world, with thy vanities! Henceforth I will follow the way of the cross traced out for me by my Redeemer, and journey onward to my heavenly home, there to dwell forevermore.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

~ "The Stations of the Cross" taken from 'The Catholic Girls Guide' by Father Lasance

Holy Thursday

Act of Spiritual Communion
Lord Jesus, I firmly believe that Thou are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I adore Thee as true God hidden here. I ask Thy pardon for my sins; and because I love Thee above all things, I desire to receive Thee spiritually in this moment.


Pause - Spiritual communion

I thank Thee for having united myself to Thee, and I submit myself entirely to Thy Holy Will.

Amen.

The Stations of the Cross

XI. Station

Jesus is nailed to the cross

V. We adore, Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the

world.

Meditation.

Jesus, after He had been stripped of His garments, was violently thrown upon the cross, and His hands and His feet were nailed thereto most cruelly. In this excruciating pain he remained silent, because it pleased His heavenly Father. He suffered patiently, because He suffered for me. How do I act in sufferings and in trouble? How fretful and impatient, how full of complaints I am!

Prayer.

O Jesus, gracious Lamb of God! I renounce forever my impatience. Crucify, O Lord! my flesh and concupiscences. Punish me, afflict me in this life, as Thou willest, only spare me in eternity. I commit my destiny to Thee, resigning myself to Thy holy will: may it be done in all things!

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

XII. Station

Jesus dies on the cross

V. We adore, Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Meditation.

Behold Jesus, crucified! Behold His wounds, received for love of you! His whole appearance betokens love! His head is bent to kiss you, His arms are extended to embrace you, His Heart is open to receive you. O superabundance of love! Jesus, the Son of God, dies upon the cross that man may live and be delivered from everlasting death.

Prayer.

O Most amiable Jesus! Who will grant unto me that I may die for love of Thee? I will at least endeavor to die to the world. How must I regard the world and its vanities, when I behold Thee hanging on the cross, covered with wounds? O Jesus! receive me into Thy wounded Heart: I belong entirely to Thee; for Thee alone do I desire to live and to die.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

~ "The Stations of the Cross" from 'The Catholic Girls Guide' by Father Lasance

The Stations of the Cross

IX Station.
Jesus falls the third time

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

Jesus, arriving exhausted at the foot of Calvary, falls for the third time to the ground. His love for us, however, is not diminished, not extinguished. What a fearfully oppressive burden our sins must be to cause Jesus to fall so often! Had He, however, not taken them upon Himself, they would have plunged us into the abyss of hell.

Prayer

Most merciful Jesus! I return Thee infinite thanks for not permitting me to continue in sin and to fall, as I have so often deserved, into the depths of hell. Enkindle in me an earnest desire of amendment; let me never again relapse, but vouchsafe me the grace to persevere in penance to the end of my life.
Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us!

X. Station
Jesus is stripped of His garments.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

When Our Savior had arrived on Calvary, He was cruelly despoiled of His garments. How painful must this have been, because they adhered to His wounded and torn body and with them parts of His bloody skin was removed! All the wounds of Jesus are renewed. Jesus is despoiled of His garments that He might die possessed of nothing: how happy will I also die after laying aside my former self with all evil desires and sinful inclinations!

Prayer

Induce me, O Jesus! to lay aside my former self and to be renewed according to Thy will and desire. I will not spare myself, however painful this should be for me: despoiled of things temporal, of my own will. I desire to die, that I may live to Thee forevermore.
Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us!

"The Stations of the Cross" taken from The Catholic Girls Guide by Father Lasance.

The Stations of the Cross

VII. Station

Jesus falls the second time

V. We adore Thee O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

The suffering Jesus, under the weight of His cross, again falls to the ground; but the cruel executioners do not permit him to rest a moment. Pushing and striking Him, they urge Him onward. It is the frequent repetition of our sins which oppresses Jesus. Witnessing this, how can I continue to sin?

Prayer

O Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me! Extend to me Thy gracious hand and support me that I may never fall again into my old sins. From this very moment I will earnestly strive to reform; nevermore will I sin! O Help of the weak, strengthen me with Thy grace, without which I can do nothing, that I may carry out faithfully this my resolution.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

VIII. Station

Jesus meets the weeping women of Jerusalem

V. We adore Thee O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

These devoted women, moved by compassion, weep over the suffering Savior. But he turns to them, saying “Weep not for Me Who am innocent, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Weep thou also; for there is nothing more pleasing to the Lord, and nothing more profitable for thyself, than tears that are shed in contrition for sin.

Prayer

O Jesus! Who will give to my eyes a fountain of tears that day and night I may weep for my sins? I beseech Thee, through Thy bitter and bloody tears, to move my heart by Thy divine grace, so that I may weep all my days over Thy sufferings and still more over their cause, my sins.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

“The Stations of the Cross” from The Catholic Girls Guide by Father Lasance.

The Stations of the Cross

III. Station

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry His cross.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

Simon of Cyrene was compelled to assist Jesus in carrying His cross, and Jesus accepted his assistance. How willingly would He also permit you to carry the cross: He calls, but you hear Him not; He invites you, but you decline His invitation. What a reproach it is to bear the cross reluctantly!

Prayer

O Jesus! Whosoever does not take up his cross and follow Thee is not worthy of Thee. Behold, I will accompany Thee on the way of the cross; I will help Thee to carry the cross; I will walk in Thy bloodstained footsteps, and follow Thee, that I may be with Thee in life eternal.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

VI. Station

Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation

Veronica, impelled by devotion and compassion, wipes the face of the disfigured face of Jesus with her veil. And Jesus imprints on it His holy countenance: a great recompense for so small a service. What return do you make to your Savior for His great and manifold benefits?

Prayer

Most merciful Jesus! What return shall I make for all the benefits Thou didst bestow upon me? Behold I consecrate myself entirely to Thy service. I offer and consecrate to Thee my heart: imprint on it Thy sacred image, never again to be effaced. By sin.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:

R. Have mercy on us!

"The Stations of the Cross", taken from the Catholic Girls Guide by Father Lasance

The Stations of the Cross

III. Station
Jesus falls the first time.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou has redeemed the world!

Meditation.

Our dear Savior carrying the cross was so weakened by its heavy weight as to fall exhausted to the ground. Our sins and misdeeds were the heavy burden which oppressed Him: the cross was to Him light and sweet, but our sins were galling and insupportable.

Prayer.

O My Jesus! Thou didst bear my burden and the heavy weight of my sins. Should I, then, not bear in union with Thee my easy burden of suffering, and accept the sweet yoke of Thy commandments? Thy yoke is sweet and Thy burden is light: I therefore willingly accept it. I will take up my cross and follow Thee.
Our Father, etc; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us!

IV. Station
Jesus meets His afflicted mother.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou has redeemed the world!

Meditation.

How painful and how sad it must have been for Mary, the sorrowful Mother, to behold her beloved Son laden with the burden of the cross! What unspeakable pangs her most tender heart experienced! How earnestly did she desire to die in place of Jesus, or at least with Him! Implore this sorrowful Mother to assist you graciously in the hour of your death.

Prayer.

O Jesus! O Mary! I am the cause of the great and manifold pains which pierce your loving hearts. O that my heart also would experience at least some of your sufferings! Mother of sorrows! Let me participate in the sufferings which thou didst endure for me, and let me experience thy sorrow, that, afflicted with thee, I may enjoy thy assistance in the hour of my death.
Our Father, etc; Hail Mary, etc.

V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us!

'The Stations of the Cross' taken from the "Catholic Girls Guide" by Father Lasance.

The Stations of the Cross

- Preparatory Prayer -

Most merciful Jesus! With a contrite heart and penitent spirit I purpose now to perform this devotion in honor of Thy bitter Passion and death. I adore Thee most humbly as my Lord and my God. I thank Thee most heartily, my divine Savior, for the infinite love wherewith Thou didst make the painful journey to Calvary for me, a wretched sinner, and didst die upon the cross for my salvation. I am truly sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I detest them and I am resolved to amend my life. Grant that I may gain all the indulgences which are attached to this devotion, and since Thou hast promised to draw all things to Thyself, draw my heart and my love to Thee, that I may live and die in unison with Thee. Amen.

I. Station,
Jesus is condemned to death.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation.

Jesus, most innocent, Who neither did nor could commit a sin, was condemned to death, and, moreover, to the most ignominious death of the cross. To remain a friend of Caeser, Pilate delivered Him into the hands of His enemies. A fearful crime - to condemn Innocence to death, and to offend God in order not to displease men!

Prayer

O Innocent Jesus! Having sinned, I am guilty of eternal death, but Thou willingly dost accept the unjust sentence of death, that I might live. For whom, then, shall I henceforth live, if not for Thee, My Lord? Should I desire to please men, I could not be Thy servant. Let me, therefore, rather displease men and all the world than not please Thee, O Jesus.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.
V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us.

II. Station.
Jesus carries His cross.

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise Thee:
R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world!

Meditation.

When our divine Savior beheld the cross, He stretched out His bleeding arms towards it with eager desire, lovingly embraced it, tenderly kissed it, and placing it on His bruised shoulders, joyfully carried it, although He was worn and weary unto death.

Prayer.

O My Jesus! I cannot be Thy friend and follower if I refuse to carry the cross. O dearly beloved cross! I embrace thee, I kiss thee, I joyfully accept thee from the hands of my God. Far be it from me to glory in anything, save in the cross of my Redeemer. By it the world shall be crucified to me and I to the world, that I may be Thine, O Jesus, forever.

Our Father, etc.; Hail Mary, etc.
V. Lord Jesus, crucified:
R. Have mercy on us.

'The Stations of the Cross' taken from the "Catholic Girls Guide" by Father Lasance.

The Purpose of Lent

The purpose of Lent is to keep alive in our consciousness and our life the fact that being a Christian can only take the form of becoming a Christian ever anew; that it is not an event now over and done with, but a process requiring constant practice. Let us ask then: What does it mean to become a Christian? How does this take place?... If individuals are to become Christians, they need the strength to overcome; they need the power to stand fast against the natural tendency to let themselves be carried along.

Life in the most inclusive sense has been defined as "resistance to the pull of gravity". Only where such is expended is there life; where the effort ceases life too ceases. If this is true in the biological sphere, it is all the more true in the spiritual. The human person is the being which does not become itself automatically. Nor does it do so simply by letting itself be carried along and surrendering to the natural gravitational pull of a kind of vegetative life. It becomes itself always and only by struggling against the tendency simply to vegetate and by dint of a discipline that is able to rise above the pressures of routine and to liberate the self from the compulsions of of utilitarian goals and instincts.

Our world is so full of what immediately impinges on our senses that we are in danger of seeing only details and losing sight of the whole. It take effort to see beyond what is right in front of us and to free ourselves from the tyranny of what directly presses upon us.

~ Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

The Church and the Forty Days

The Church is being urged ever more loudly and insistently to exchange a distant and unreal redemption by the Word for a more robust redemption by bread and the sure path of politicization. Our experience, then, is of a Church in the wilderness, a Church in her forty-day period. It is one of exposure to emptiness, to a world that seems, religiously speaking, to have become wordless, imageless, soundless; exposure to a world in which the heavens over us are dark and distant and impalpable. And yet for us too and for the Church of our day this time in the wilderness can become a time of grace in which a new love can grow out of suffering induced by God's distance from us.
We often have the oppressive feeling that the manna of our faith will be enough only for the presant day - but God gives us that manna new each day if we allow him to do so. We must live in a world in which in God is seemingly to be found only as One who is dead - but He can strike living water even from dead stones.
A Church in her Lent, in her "forty days" in the wilderness. I believe that during this season of fasting we must hearten ourselves anew to accept our situation in patience and faith and to follow fearlessly after our hidden God. If we journey on in patient faith, then for us too a new day can dawn out of the darkness. And God's bright world, the lost world of images and sounds, will be restored to us again; there will be a new morning in God's good creation.

- Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

Forty Days of Preparation

In the forty days of the preparation for Easter, we endeavor to get away from the heathenism that weighs us down, that is always driving us away from God, and we set off toward Him once again. So, too, at the beginning of the Eucharist, in the confession of sin, we are always trying to take up this path again, to set out, to go to the mountain of God's word and God's presence... We must learn that it is only in the silent, barely noticeable things that what is great takes place, that man becomes God's image and the world once more becomes the radiance of God's glory.

Let us ask the Lord to give us a receptivity to His gentle presence; let us ask Him to help us not to be so deafened and desensitized by this world's loud outcry that our receptivity fails to register Him. Let us ask Him that we may hear His quiet voice, go with Him, and be of service together with Him and in His way, so that His kingdom may become present in this world ... We imitate God, we live by God, like God, by entering into Christ's manner of life. He has climbed down from His divine being and become one of us; He has given Himself and does so continually... It is be these little daily virtues, again and again, that we step out of our bitterness, our anger toward others, our refusal to accept the other's forgiveness. This "littleness" is the concrete form of our being like Christ and living like God, imitating God; He has given Himself to us so that we can give ourselves to Him and to one another.

~ Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

5 Quick Takes Saturday - Vol 6

- 1 -

Another Quick Takes Saturday! As I have a ton to do today before 3:30, these will really have to be quick. I'll start out by letting you know that this will be the last quick takes post for a while. I have decided to give up the Internet for Lent, but since Sunday's are not considered a part of Lent, I will be back with a post or two on Sundays, and I perhaps on important occasions schedule a post or two. (Like my sisters birthday in a few weeks). I will try to post more before Wednesday, but I'm not promising anything.

-2-

Great news! My friend "Cap" informed my yesterday (as I was sitting down to write an essay on him none the less!) that Bl. Fr. Damien is up for canonization! I did some further research on it just now and the date for his canonization will in fact be announced... TODAY!!!! Catholicnews.com and a few other sites said that the Vatican will be giving it's official approval of the last miracle today. YAY!!!!!

-3-
Only on take three and I have nooooo idea what to post! Hee hee, oh dearie me. =) Oh right.
Ahem.
I've been looking for Lenten music to put on my music playlist for Lent. If you have any suggestions for me, please leave them in the comment box. I doubt playlist.com will have many of them, so the more suggestions you have the better! But leave a song even if you only have one.

-4-
I just found this interesting survey on Jennifer's Favorite Links'. It's a Gallup poll showing which countries are the 'most religious' I guess you could put it. Quite interesting, I advise you take a look at it. I'm sure you won't be surprised as to where America falls. Although all Alabama fans (like me) will be cheering when they see where Sweet Home Alabama is. (Hmmm, think The Shrine has anything to do with it?) Here's the link!

-5-
Another thing from Jennifer's Favorite Links! My mom posted about this too. See how well you do at placing all the states on the map.
Then check the comment box and I'll tell you how I did.

-----------------------
Now it's your turn! Below is a Mr. Linky List if you'd care to link to your own 5 Quick Takes Saturday post. Just two things though
(1) Make sure the URL you submit is to your post, not the URL of your blog. (2) Include a link back here.
Can't wait to see what you post!

The Glad Tidings of the Cross

The content of the Christian evangelium reads: God finds man so important that He Himself has suffered for man. The cross is in truth the center of the evengelium, the glad tidings: "It is good that you exist" - no, "It is necessary that you exist." The cross is the approbation of our existence, not in words, but in an act so completely radical that is caused God to become flesh and pierced this flesh to the quick; that, to God, it was worth the death of His incarnate Son. One who is so loved that the other identifies his life with this love and no longer desires to live if he is deprived of it; one who is loved even unto death - such a one knows that he is truly loved. But if God so loves us, then we are loved in truth. Then love is truth, and truth is love. Then life is worth living. This is the evangelium. This is why, even as the message of the cross, it is glad tidings for one who believes; the only glad tidings tht destroy the ambiguity of all other joys and make them worthy ro be joyful. The "Rejoice!" with which it begins expresses its whole nature. By its very essence, by its very nature, Christian belief is "glad tidings" ... deep joy of the heart is also the true prerequisite for a sense of humor, and thus humor is, in a certain sense, the measure of faith.

~Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

The Fourth Word: "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"

To learn as to why Latarae Sunday is also known as "Rose Sunday", click on the picture of the Rose

The Church and the Forty Days

The Church is being urged ever more loudly and insistently to exchange a distant and undreal redemption by the Word for a more robust redemption by bread and the sure path of politicization. Our experiance, then, is of a Church in the wilderness, a Church in her forty-day period. It is one of exposure to emptiness, to a world that seems, religously speaking, to have become wordless, imageless, soundless; exposure to a world in which the heavens over us are dark and distant and impalapable. And yet for us too and for the Church of our day this time in the wilderness can become a time of grace in which a new love can grow out of suffering induced by God's distance from us.
We often have the oppressive feeling that the manna of our faith will be enough only for the presant day - but God gives us that manna new each day if we allow him to do so. We must live in a world in which in God is seemingly to be found only as One who is dead - but He can strike living water even from dead stones.
A Church in her Lent, in her "forty days" in the wilderness. I believe that during this season of fasting we must hearten ourselves anew to accept our situation in patience and faith and to follow fearlessly after our hidden God. If we journey on in patient faith, then for us too a new day can dawn out of the darkness. And God's bright world, the lost world of images and sounds, will be restored to us again; there will be a new morning in God's good creation.

- Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

The Third Word of Christ ~ "Woman, behold thy son. Behold thy mother."

Announcing the Upcoming Preformance of...

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

written by Thoedore Dubois

Directed by Simonetta Pacek

Sung by the Passion and Most Blessed Sacrament Choirs

Accompanied by a beautiful Orchestra

and

Preformed by the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theater Troupe

"The Seven Last Words of Christ" consists of Christ's 7 last phrases from the Cross (e.g.: "Father, why have you forsaken me?"). The work is a sacred, classical masterpiece, written for an orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists. The Troupe will create a complimentary live theatrical setting for the musical work, with actors and visual effects. This is a lovely and moving, Lenten meditation.

For Tickets and more information, visit the Little Flowers Catholic Dance and Theater Troupe website.

Forty Days of Preparation

In the forty days of the preparation fo Easter, we endeavor to get away from the heathenism that wieghs us down, that is always driving us away from God, and we set off toward Him once again. So, too, at the beginning of the Eucharist, in the confession of sin, we are always trying to take up this path again, to set out, to go to the mountain of God's word and God's presence... We must learn that it is only in the silent, barely noticeable things that what is great takes place, that man becomes God's image and the world once more becomes the radiance of God's glory.

Let us ask the Lord to give us a receptivity to His gentle presence; let us ask Him to help us not to be so deafened and desensitized by this world's loud outcry that our receptivity fails to register Him. Let us ask Him that we may hear His quiet voice, go with Him, and be of service together with Him and in His way, so that His kingdom may become present in this world ... We imitate God, we live by God, like God, by entering into Christ's manner of life. He has climbed down from His divine being and become one of us; He has given Himself and does so continually... It is be these little daily virtues, again and again, that we step out of our bitterness, our anger toward others, our refusal to accept the other's forgiveness. This "littleness" is the concrete form of our being like Chirst and living like God, imitting God; He has given Himself to us so that we can give ourselves to Him and to one another.

~ Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI

The First Word of Christ "Father, forgive them, for the know not what they do."

The Second Word of Christ "This day you shall be with me in paradise."

Entering into Lent

Lent is a propitious time in which the Church invites Christians to be more intensely aware of Christ's redeeming work and to live our baptisim more profoundly... With its duration of forty days, Lent tries to recall some of the events that marked the life and history of ancient Israel, presenting to us again its paradigmatic value... The Lenten season is an invitation to relive with Jesus the forty days he spent in the desert, praying and fasting, before undertaking his public mission... This is the authentic and central program of the Lenten Season: to listen to the Word of truth, to live, to speak, and do the truth, to reject lies that poison humanity, and are the door to evils. It is urgent, therefore, during these forty days, to listen again to the Gospel, the Lord's Word, Word of truth, so that in every Christian, in each one of us, the awareness be reinforced of the truth that has been given, that he has given us, to live it and be his witnesses. Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life. Thus, the Lenten season offers us an ascetic and liturgical journey that, helping us to open our eyes in face of our weakness, makes us open our hearts to the merciful love of Christ.

~ "Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI"

Just to let you know...

...starting Ash Wednesday, I shall be taking a Lentan sabbatical from the Internet, and hence, this blog. I shall miss you! However, I will be present once a week on Sundays, posting a meditation from the book Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI. (And on my sister's birthday, of course. ;)
I may post tomarrow... if I can get at the computer. (We are down to one, at this moment.) But if I can't, see you on Sunday!

Ps. I apologize for any spelling errors, for reasons unknown to me, SpellCheck is not working. =( Farethee well!