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Lent
Border walking: How to love your neighbor
“There is ugliness in us, isn’t there?” the priest begins. “We are flawed. We are human. And God wants us — God is commanding us — to take all of the ugliness we work so hard to bury deep within us, to take all that poison, the aspects…
Ash Wednesday Gospel reflection: Jesus is our model of compassion
In the Gospel today, Jesus poses an unusual challenge as we begin the season of Lent. We are called to consider why we pray, fast, and give our time and money to those in need. Addressing this demands a radical degree of honesty with…
I’ll do it myself
The dying words of St. John Paul II were, “Let me go to the house of my Father.” Isn’t that beautiful? Isn’t that what you want to be saying when you die? St. Thérèse died whispering, “My God! I love you!” Even George Washington muttered,…
Spring cleaning your home — and your soul
It’s finally spring and with the thrill of opening the windows on that first warm day comes spring cleaning. The latest craze in organization calls for people to rid their homes of objects that don’t “spark joy.” But even if something…
Unique Ways to Commemorate Holy Thursday & Good Friday
The Easter Triduum is the liturgical season lasting three days and commemorating the Last Supper, the Passion, and the Resurrection. Across the country, churches and individuals commemorate these holy days with special traditions and…
Five Ways to Observe Holy Week
1. Attend the Chrism Mass At Mass on the morning of Holy Thursday or another day near Easter, each diocese’s bishop consecrates the Holy Chrism that will be used throughout the year. Two other oils are also blessed on this occasion; the…
Five Individual Lenten Practices
1. Read the Bible daily. Make time every day to read a passage from Scripture. By daily immersing yourself in the stories and lessons of Scripture, you will better prepare yourself for Easter. If you go to the United States Conference of…
Five ways to celebrate the Easter season
Attend Easter Vigil Mass The Easter Vigil is the perfect celebration of Easter, starting with the beauty and silent meditation as the church is lit solely with candles. This celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is beautiful and emotional,…
Living Lent to the Fullest
Lent this year comes at the end of a long winter. The gray skies and lack of sunshine can be taxing on our spiritual and psychological health, and we may not feel motivated to enter into this holy season. But Lent can be forty days of…
Ash Wednesday Gospel reflection: An outward sign of our faith
A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. (Psalm 51:12) Ash Wednesday, in all its solemnity and reverence, is one of my favorite religious days. I love the humble act of repentance, the cross formed by ashes…
