“Play” in the spiritual life makes me think of people dressed as clowns at Mass, or hand motions for grade school songs being imposed upon high schoolers, or the sort of unbearably sanguine exuberance that clashes with a sometimes sorrowful reality. I can think of all sorts of shallow and …

by Katie Yoder Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 6, 2022 / 08:30 am Pope Francis highlighted Jesus’ 40-day journey in the desert, where he is tempted by the devil, as an example for the faithful during Lent. “Jesus too was tempted by the devil, and he accompanies us, every one of …

Self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity—as the life of Saint John Joseph shows. John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. He devoted himself even at his youngest years to a life of poverty and fasting. At 16 he …

On March 4, the Catholic Church honors Saint Casimir Jagiellon, a prince whose life of service to God has made him a patron saint of Poland, Lithuania, and young people. In 1984, Pope John Paul II addressed Lithuanian pilgrims commemorating the 500th anniversary of the prince’s death. He said the …

DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, Lent is a favorable time for personal and community renewal, as it leads us to the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For our Lenten journey in 2022, we will do well to reflect on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome, Italy, Mar 2, 2022 / 10:57 am Pope Francis cautioned on Ash Wednesday against the temptation to allow Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to be taken over by an “illness of appearances” that cares more about earthly than eternal rewards. In a homily read by the Vatican Secretary …

by Mary Farrow Denver, Colo., Feb 26, 2022 / 07:21 am Sunday, Feb. 27 is Septuagesima Sunday, followed by Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays. Sunday kicks off Carnival season, which comes right before Shrovetide, which culminates in Shrove Tuesday – more popularly known as Mardi Gras. If all but the last …

April 4: Easter Sunday Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6-8b; John 20:1-9 Invitation to Prayer: O Risen Lord, as you run out to meet me, grant me the grace to eagerly seek your face that I may discover true life! Reflection: Fra …

Members of the Mount St. Mary’s Latin Schola will chant the hymns, psalms and canticles of Solemn Vespers for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, followed by a choral meditation of sacred music for Passiontide. Program: March-2021-Vespers-Program

“Fasting & Lent” will be held on March 9, 2021 at 10:00am. It is a reflection on fasting and the progression through Lent of a call to conversion as guided by the Lectionary. For a long time in the Church we primarily understood Lent in terms of a fasting period. …