News

By Father Roger Landry, EWTN News - Lent is about going spiritually to the state of the desert, about uniting ourselves to, and imitating, Jesus’ fasting, praying and charity. It’s a time to repent and believe... We’re summoned to render our hearts open to God, to reflect on the meaning and trajectory of our life, as we recall that we are dust and to dust we shall return. It’s a period of mercy and conversion, of grace and holiness that we’re supposed to receive fruitfully and not in vain.

By Fr. John A. Perricone, Crisis Magazine With good intentions, they find refuge in a kind of hysterical prayer—put another way, a sort of soothing emotional swoon. Since this refuge is born of genuine spiritual longing, it is hard to hold it to strict theological/ascetical standards. But be held to them they must. Otherwise, added to the doctrinal bedlam there will be spiritual decadence, a salve which soothes but does not sanctify. Some may argue that it is a halfway house to authentic prayer, or better than nothing. But this sentimentality is addictive and can render the soul permanently impaired. Raised on a diet of pretzels and beer, the taste of caviar is unendurable. ....

By Prosper Guéranger, LifeSiteNews - Yesterday, the World was busy in its pleasures, and the very children of God were taking a joyous farewell to mirth: but this morning, all is changed... The solemn announcement, spoken of by the Prophet, has been proclaimed in Sion: (Joel 2) the solemn fast of Lent, the season of expiation, the approach of the great anniversaries of our redemption. Let us, then, rouse ourselves, and prepare for the spiritual combat... But, in this battling of the spirit against the flesh, we need good armor. Our holy Mother the Church knows how much we need it; and therefore does she summon us to enter into the House of God, that she may arm us for the holy contest.