Browsing Category
Lent
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…
How a garage sale chalice and you can become new again
Imagine walking through a garage sale dotted with forgotten toys, 1980s videos, tired-looking clothing, and there — sitting between grandma's old dishes and Tupperware — is a case containing an ill-used Communion chalice and a paten.…
Why is Easter 50 days long?
“Michael,” I shouted, “your time’s up! Come out of there!” My frustration was building as I stood in front of the inflated carnival castle filled with small children jumping and bouncing to their hearts’ delight. My 3-year-old son, Michael,…
The sounds of Good Friday
It’s an image and moment of Good Friday I’ll never forget. More poignantly, it’s the sound that still resonates in my mind and heart more than a decade later. I took an extended break — longer than I probably should have — that particular…
Saved by his cross
Around this time of year, I love to remind everybody of the stunning metaphysical similarities between the Exodus narrative and the passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ. Tell the truth: you groaned a little when you read that. It is…
Finding everyday holiness in Lent
Beginning with Sunday Mass, there are countless ways to get in touch with the Church’s spirit of Lent. There are plenty of opportunities to engage in prayer, fasting, and charity. Here are some activities you can use to enter into the…
