Search
India's hit film 'Manjummel Boys' tells a resurrection story
… Lissy Maruthanakuzhy … The season of Lent for every Christian is a time of prayer and penance. So it was not surprising to me that … to go. However, only three out of the 10 dared to go for the movie with me in the season of Lent! In fact, I knew it was going to be a resurrection story for me. I watch only selected … will go home only with him." Their decisive reply reminds us, especially during this season of Lent, of the words of Jesus, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's …
On Good Friday, let us tremble before the cross
… reread his account of the events of these three days as my Holy Week meditation. I regrettably lent the book to someone who never returned it but the gist was this: Jesus had it coming. He had …
Syracuse Catholic parish wins national environmental prize
… in nature, solitude and prayer," after which they gathered and shared reflections. This Lent, the task force is summarizing the Gospel for each Sunday, discussing a "Fast" or sacrifice …
Virgin of Charity unites all Cubans — Catholics, Santeria followers, exiled and back on the island
… in Cuba from a familiar place. At the Ash Wednesday celebrations marking the beginning of Lent, both political refugees and "santeras," or Santeria practitioners, brought their petitions … to welcome the stranger is the theme the rector, the Rev. José Espino, chose for this Lent. "This is always the place of giving thanks to the Virgin for a safe arrival," Espino said. …
Fifth Sunday of Lent: A God who gambles on love
When I was 4, I told my mother that I was running away and would never come back. She replied that any child of hers who ran away and never came back would receive a punishment she/he would never forget. Well, that was enough for me! (Logic was not my strong suit then.) At the same time, her dealings with us made it obvious that no child of hers could quash her motherly love — no matter what we…
This ancient tradition could be a key climate action for US Catholics
… portion of dinner plates. If American Catholics returned to meatless Fridays outside of Lent, what would be the resulting climate impact? Ricardo Simmonds — policy adviser for … countries." Glynn decided in his senior year to fast from meat not only on Fridays in Lent, but for the entirety of Lent. He saw benefits to his prayer life and his health, saying, "It wasn't nearly as hard as I …
CEO of Feeding America named recipient of Notre Dame's 2024 Laetare Medal
… The honor was announced March 10, Laetare Sunday, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The Laetare (pronounced lay-TAH-ray) Medal has been given to Catholic leaders since 1883. …
Fourth Sunday of Lent: Why does God let it happen?
Why does God let it happen? We might be talking about the death of a child, an unjust war, the loss of young people to gang life, or even a tornado or flood. Some people blame God and then decide to give up on believing, concluding that God is either unkind or untrustworthy. Others are convinced that tragedy is a punishment, even if they can't name the offense. Still others defend God with…
Third Sunday of Lent: A call to reevaluate our religious identity
… taking the time to create ever-deeper relationships with God and neighbor? This third week of Lent calls us to reevaluate our religious identity. If we ask not what we call our denomination, …
'Africa & Byzantium' show traces sacred histories of Christian antiquity
… "Africa & Byzantium" two days before Ash Wednesday, and the exhibit was the ideal passage into Lent. Whether it was in the ragged edge of a Gospel manuscript or the well-worn patina of a …
How peeling a pomegranate led me to the Passion of Christ
… of those who cry out, how will we journey with them to the promise of new life? That's what Lent is for. A time to pause and reflect, to be in solidarity with others through prayer, fasting and giving what we can of ourselves and our resources. Lent is a time to wake up from the comfort that has lulled us to sleep. I need Lent. I need to … away? Will we turn back? What will we do if we turn around to find a world crying out in pain? Lent's invitation is to stay connected, to remember what matters and to give what we can. We're …
Second Sunday of Lent: A test with no fixed answers
What do you feel when someone says "God is testing you"? Really, doesn't it seem unfair for God to call us into a contest of wits? Knowing we'd never win, Jesus taught us to pray, "Do not put us to the test." But still, we hear stories that sound like God's testing. In an interesting combination of Scripture passages, the story of Abraham's test prepares us for contemplating Jesus'…
Get back to the basics of Lent with Anglican theologian Esau McCaulley
… Daniel P. Horan … While most years the season of Lent feels as though it crept up on me, this year's unusually early arrival of Ash Wednesday and … launch of this liturgical time of penance and prayer has truly felt like a shock. This year, Lent began barely seven weeks after Christmas, which makes it one of the earliest starts to the … year, when I feel as though there's a little more breathing room between Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, when we have a few extra weeks of ordinary time before diving back into a special …
March 17, 2024: Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 10, 2024: Fourth Sunday of Lent
New York Archdiocese denounces transgender activist's funeral held at St. Patrick's Cathedral
… we need the prayer, reparation, repentance, grace, and mercy to which this holy season (of Lent) invites us." In a statement, Gentili's family denied that the church had been deceived and …
First Sunday of Lent: Leisure, a Lenten discipline
… on Jesus' lips as he wondered in the desert. This prayer could lead us through our 40 days of Lent. When we are sincere in praying, "Make your ways known to me," we open ourselves, like … he took the time to know with God and understand what he was called to be and do. As we begin Lent, rather than choose something to give up, a more radical approach could be to commit to …
Faith, confidence and the Black struggle in America
… and almost never getting the recognition that they deserve. This year, as is often the case, Lent began right in the middle of Black History Month. I have always thought this is a beautiful … resurrection, mixed in with recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of Black people. Lent has also been a time to devote an extensive amount of time to my relationship with God. Lent asks us two main questions: What is in the way of your relationship with God? And how can I …
The Francis Effect podcast: Super Bowl ads; Sr. Joyce Rupp talks Lent
… celibacy. Later, Heidi interviews author Servants of Mary Sr. Joyce Rupp about approaching Lent with fresh eyes. … How do I listen? … Click the "play" button at the top of the page to …
In Kansas City, Catholics recall how celebration turned to unimaginable loss
… Bishop James Johnston said in a message on Facebook Wednesday night. "On this first day of Lent, we turn to God for mercy and healing for our broken world." … Kansas City joins a sad list … NCR pondered this confluence of Ash Wednesday with a sports parade, and said that the start of Lent reminded them that, even amid the joy, larger issues and challenges loomed in the world. "I …