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One of the things that I enjoy most about Catholic celebrations is that they don't just last one day. There is always so much build up and anticipation towards a particular feast day that it can come and go in the blink of an eye. How could we possibly celebrate the greatest accomplishment of our salvation for just one day? The covenants have been fulfilled, God has kept his promises, Jesus Christ has proven that He is Lord, the just souls have received their reward, darkness and death have been defeated, and the gates of Heaven are open to us! ALLELUIA ALLELUIA ALLELUIA! My soul cannot hold or comprehend the magnitude of this, I need more time for meditating, rejoicing, and immersing myself in depth of what has been done for me. Thankfully, the major feasts that we celebrate in the Church aren't over in one day, and for Easter we have a full fifty days of proclaiming Christ's resurrection. We must keep this reality alive in our homes and our communities by continuing to proclaim that He is Risen through prayer, scripture, activities, and food. Engaging in these things helps us in a more tangible way to experience the true, physical, and real resurrection of Christ.

I am going to throw out 50 activities (even though a couple of days have passed) to help get you going. You don't have to do them all, but there is a good mix of things to be done with family members of all ages so as to keep our hearts focused. For me, the fun stuff is just a means to engage ourselves in calling our hearts and minds back to the meaning of what we are celebrating. Read all 50, the list gets pretty good as you get down to the bottom, if I do say so myself!

50 Activities for the Easter Season!

Adaptable for All Ages

1. Make resurrection cookies.

2. Plant an Easter garden.

3. Dye Easter eggs.

4. Watch Mass more than one time a week. (For Coronovirus time!)

5. Pray one of the Liturgy of the Hours at home, maybe once a day, or once a week.

6. Make an ALLELUIA banner to hang in your home.

7. Make and send cards to grandparents or godparents.

8. Plan a Pentecost party.

9. Celebrate a few saint's feast days within the Easter season. Check the USCCB liturgical calendar for feast days.

10. Plan an Easter egg hunt every Sunday. Change it up, do one inside, or maybe just hide one egg that has $$, try it in the dark with glow in the dark eggs!

11. Begin meal time prayer with one person saying "He is Risen" and have the rest of the family respond with "He is Risen Indeed". (We started this and I have been enjoying it more than what may seem normal.)

12. Go to confession on Divine Mercy Sunday.

13. Read the story of the resurrection from each Gospel account, pick one to do per week, compare and contrast the accounts.

14. Display a resurrection scene, this can be made out of paper, peg dolls, clay, items found outside like rocks and sticks, or order one online.

15. Pray the Resurrection prayer together as a family as you close out your day. https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/resurrection-prayers

16. Bake bread together, use it as a teaching tool to exemplify how in the breaking of bread, Jesus reveals Himself to us. You could also make the connection between bread rising and Jesus rising.

17. Read the road to Emmaus and go on a family walk.

18. Keep white flowers in your home throughout the season.

19. Butterflies are a symbol of Easter, order a butterfly kit to grow at home.

20. Go on a picnic for the Ascension and fly kites! (Stay tuned on my Facebook page for a post @HisGirlSunday.)

21. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

22. Make a resurrection cross, for children this could be done with Popsicle sticks or other craft supplies, but for teenagers perhaps this could be an opportunity to learn how to build something!

23. The Regina Caeli is an antiphon that is used during the Easter Season, learn to sing it together.

24. Make an Easter playlist on spotify to listen to while cooking or going about your daily tasks at home.

25. Bring home blessed water from your local parish and bless your home.

26. Keep a holy water font by your front door filled with blessed water from the Easter vigil.

27. Use painters tape and washable paint to create stained glass windows by your front door.

28. Create Easter sidewalk messages for your neighbors/community to see as they drive or walk by.

29. Once a week have a nice meal together, set the table with nicer linens, and make dessert.

30. Play this fun Jelly Bean Prayer Game- https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21APb%2D%5FfTgtKf6qws&cid=47D78E23512A8BBE&id=47D78E23512A8BBE%219493&parId=47D78E23512A8BBE%219436&o=OneUp

31. Renew your baptismal promises.

32. Make an Easter candle and light it for dinners or prayer time.

33. Watch an Easter movie together, we chose "The Easter Parade" this year.

34. Print and color these Easter coloring pages. - https://www.saintanneshelper.com/printable-easter-coloring-pages.html

35. Help your children begin an Easter journal by using these writing prompts from Ave Maria - https://www.avemariapress.com/engagingfaith/2010/04/dying-and-rising/

36. Create an Easter calendar together, have them decorate it, write down feast days, and traditions that you would like to start or keep going as a family.

37. Create a social media challenge to share a positive message about Jesus' resurrection every day.

38. Teach your kids about redemptive suffering, "offering it up". Just as Christ died for our sins, we can accept suffering for a greater good. We can do that by saying a small prayer when something is hard and then doing a small good deed.

39. Begin a novena, St. Joseph the Worker and St. Catherine of Siena both fall within the Easter Season.

40. Read about doubting Thomas and talk about how we should deal with times when our faith is difficult for us to understand.

41. Learn about a Saint that had stigmata! St. Rita bore a wound from the crown of thorns and her feast day is within the Easter Season.

42. Make Italian Easter Bread, save your dyed eggs for this.

43. Create "upper room" time in your home. Designate a quiet space for reading, praying, coloring, listening to chant, etc.

44. Visit deceased family members, those who are anticipating their resurrection.

45. Pray for the souls in purgatory, we do this at the end of every meal prayer.

46. Create a sacrifice Jelly Bean container to use until Pentecost.

47. If you buried the Alleluia, dig that up and display it in your home.

48. Read an Easter book.
https://catholicexchange.com/seven-books-to-share-with-children-for-lent-and-easter
49. Honor Mary in the Month of May and through the Easter season by praying the Angelus together at noon.

50. Display a crucifix or statue of Jesus along with an image or statue of Mary in a prominent place in your home with flowers.

He is Risen!

His Girl Sunday

... you're supposed to say "He is Risen Indeed"

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50 Ways to Celebrate the Easter Season for All Ages!

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One of the things that I enjoy most about Catholic celebrations is that they don't just last one day. There is always so much build up and anticipation towards a particular feast day that it can come and go in the blink of an eye.

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Whenever great tragedy bears down upon us, we often react first with emotion, then logic. Once our physiology settles and our mental acuity returns, our second step is always to move into the realm of analysis. Why has this happened? Whose fault is it? How could it have been prevented?

Who among us hasn't asked such questions in light of the present coronavirus pandemic?

On the Christian view, however, to rest solely with a logical reading of evil is to stop short of complete understanding. To stop at logic is to cheat oneself of the whole story. For Christians, who believe that God is at work in the world always and everywhere, there is ever something more profound going on than that which can be perceived by reason alone. For the Christian, there is always a mystical reading of evil, a deeper layer of explanation and understanding anchored in the cross of Christ, which offers real hope for what is to come.
Victory on the Cross
Let's be brutally honest. Men have always been capable of great malevolence toward the good and the innocent, and have proven it generation after generation. In that sense, there is not much mystery to the fact that Jesus-who had no faults, who never claimed to be king, who surrounded himself by the greatest of sinners, and who pulled no punches when it came to admonishing the crooked and powerful of his time-eventually provoked the jealousy and hatred of men.

The real mystery is this: that through the "worst of all evils" God defeated death: dying he destroyed our death. Christ was able to bring the greatest good for humanity out of the greatest evil humanity could ever commit-namely, the murder of God. Like water into wine, he turned his suffering into salvation.

Now, there's a tradition that angels are jealous of humans because they, being bodily creatures, can suffer in a way that angels cannot. The point is not that angels desire to suffer for suffering's sake. The point is that man's capacity to suffer lovingly gives him the opportunity to participate in Christ's action of redemption. To be sure, the angels of hell suffer spiritually. But man, unlike any of the angels, can suffer for the sake of others. He can "join" his sufferings to Christ and, by doing so, bring grace into the lives of those whom he loves.
Through Him, With Him
St. Paul says something that sounds rather shocking to the Colossians. He writes, "I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col. 1:24). Does he mean that something was insufficient about Christ's suffering? Not at all.

Only in the sense that we can still participate here and now in Christ's act of redemption, can it be said that Christ's afflictions are lacking. Fr. Bernard Orchard helps us understand this passage in A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture: "[St. Paul's sufferings] are the vehicle for conveying the Passion to the hearts and souls of men, and in this way they bring completeness to the Passion in an external way."

St. Paul understood that although Christ's sacrifice was sufficient in itself, it was still possible for us to join ourselves spiritually to Christ, becoming "little saviors" as members of the Church-his Mystical Body (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12-26). Remember St. Joan of Arc's words: "About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter."

So, when we suffer with Christ, we suffer in and through Christ. Doing so, we are joined to the saving mission of our Savior. He didn't have to make this possible. He doesn't need us to redeem the world. But God wants to offer us everything: even the ability to convert the worst of evils in our own lives into acts of charity and salvation (2 Pet. 1:4). Knowing this, St. Paul rejoiced in his sufferings (Col. 1:24).
What Makes All the Difference
In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul tells us that his preaching centers on Christ crucified (1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2). The crazy thing about this is that to his contemporaries such a thing was, on its face, absurd. For the message about the cross, says the Apostle Paul, is foolishness to many (1 Cor. 1:24). To the Jews who believed in a triumphant Messiah, the message of the crucified Lord was a scandal. To the Romans, worshiping the crucified Christ was utter foolishness.

See, every victim of Roman crucifixion (what Cicero called "that most cruel and disgusting penalty") hung publicly on the cross accused, naked, and dying. There was nothing glorious about it. It was pure humiliation. So to worship a failed Jewish leader whose life came to an end on a Roman cross was complete nonsense.

And yet-the Christians worshiped this Christ! But why?

Not because he was crucified. No; if he would have stayed in the grave, that would make him just one more failed "Messiah" (scholars tell us there were many false messiahs in Jesus' time). What converted the death of Jesus Christ into victory was his Resurrection! Without the Resurrection, there is no Good News, there is no sacrifice, there is no salvation (1 Cor. 15:17). There is only an execution.
Rising to the Occasion
In one of the final chapters of his book He Leadeth Me, Fr. Walter Ciszek, a survivor of the Soviet Gulag, contemplates "the fear of death." Sounds dark. But this chapter is one of joyful hope. For in it, though he meditates deeply on Jesus' Passion, he refers even more frequently the Resurrection of Christ. Fr. Ciszek writes:

If the Good News of Christianity is anything new, it is this: that death has no hidden terror, has no mystery, is not something man must fear. It is not the end of life, of the soul, of the person. Christ's death on Calvary was not the central act of salvation, but his death and resurrection; it was the resurrection that completed his victory over sin and death.

He drives home the fact that all this talk of a dying and rising God from Nazareth is no invented myth, no far-fetched legend. The Resurrection of Jesus really happened. It's a fact of history, in all its grittiness and glory. The Resurrection of Jesus, writes Fr. Ciszek, was "meant to remove mankind's last doubts, last fears, about the nature of death. For the resurrection was a fact, a fact as certain and as sure as death itself, and it meant that death held no victory over men, that life beyond death is a certainty and not just a human hope or fable."

Suffering and death without the reality of the cross and Resurrection would make this life unbearable. "It is wonderful to be alive inasmuch as our true life is the life beyond," once wrote Pier Giorgio Frassati, "otherwise who could bear the burden of this life, if there were not a prize for suffering, an eternal joy?" Given the prominence and inevitability of suffering that comes with human existence, one cannot help but think he's right.

Not even the purest human logic can save us from the pains of evil. But Christ can, and he did. He did die and he did rise from the dead, inaugurating a Resurrection event that all-even you and I-will one day be a part of. His victory was the beginning of the end. His rising in the past is a sign and proof of our rising that is still to come.

So, logically, we Christians have every reason to be hopeful.

Evil-be it in the form of a pandemic, or persecution, or the devil, or whatever-can and will continue to strike at us. But in the grand scheme of things, it's all just a bunch of desperate flailing. Evil strikes in vain. Victory is ours. For as Archbishop Sheen once said, evil may have its hour, but God will have his day.

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Suffering as Gift: A Third Layer of Reality - Word on Fire

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Whenever great tragedy bears down upon us, we often react first with emotion, then logic. Once our physiology settles and our mental acuity returns, our second step is always to move into the realm of analysis. Why has this happened? Whose fault is it? How could it have been prevented?

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Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

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The Regina Caeli (Latin for "Queen of Heaven") is offered us by the Church as a hallmark of Easter. Lasting for a full 50 days, Easter is a very long season - 10 days longer than Lent. The Regina Caeli is integrated especially into two daily Catholic devotions.

First, in the Divine Office prayed by priests, religious and many laypeople, the Regina Caeli is the Easter season Marian antiphon at the end of Night Prayer.

Then, the Church replaces during Easter the daily Angelus prayer with the Regina Caeli, traditionally prayed thrice daily (at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m).

The Angelus/Regina Caeli is prayed publicly by the pope and pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on most Sundays. The pope offers a short greeting (usually with a reflection on the day's readings) before leading the people in the prayer.

According to legend, this prayer dates back to the sixth century with Pope Gregory the Great. As the story goes, when the city of Rome was plagued with an epidemic, St. Gregory led a procession out from St. Peter's Basilica past the Mausoleum of Hadrian in prayerful petition to end the plague.

Then, on top of the mausoleum, he saw an angel singing the words of the Regina Caeli. He responded in words also in the prayer, " Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia! " or "Pray for us to God, alleluia!"

Inspired by this event, the faithful henceforth referred to the mausoleum with a different name: Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) and the nearby bridge became known as the Ponte Sant'Angelo (Bridge of Angels).

The Church in Rome received two gifts that day. The disease of the city was cured and a new prayer was established to help remind the faithful of joy even in times of great suffering.

What, specifically, do we meditate on in this prayer?

First, the prayer assures us that Jesus truly is risen. This reflects the journey that all the disciples had to undertake, encountering the Risen Christ and thus leaving behind their doubt to become Christ's witnesses.

Second, the prayer reminds us what the season of Easter is all about. We offer joyful praise to God with the word "alleluia" six separate times. Also, we proclaim different variations of the word "joy" five times (rejoice, rejoice, glad, joy, joys).

The Regina Caeli reminds us of the Resurrection and the meaning that it has for our lives. The Lord is risen and we can share in Easter joy with Mary, the Queen of Heaven. We can truly proclaim "alleluia," giving praise to God for the great gift of everlasting life he offers us.

We need help on this journey to heaven. So we turn to Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord whose openness to the will of God led to her coronation in heaven. We ask for her intercession daily so that we, like her, can experience the full joys of heaven in unity with her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Regina Caeli is a few-second way to get a little taste of heaven and keep the Easter joy alive.

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For he, whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.

Has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
For the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray: O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

In Latin:

Regina cæli, lætare, alleluia:
Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia,

Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia,
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

Gaude et lætare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Oremus:
Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi,
mundum lætificare dignatus es:
præsta, quæsumus, ut per eius Genitricem Virginem Mariam,
perpetuæ capiamus gaudia vitæ.
Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

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Need a taste of Heaven and a shot of joy? Try the very short Easter prayer.

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The Regina Caeli (Latin for "Queen of Heaven") is offered us by the Church as a hallmark of Easter. Lasting for a full 50 days, Easter is a very long season - 10 days longer than Lent. The Regina Caeli is integrated especially into two daily Catholic devotions.

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Fr. Mike Schmitz is speaking this Sunday at 7pm on Project YM! Tune in below!

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Bishop Barron - "The Master Has Need of You"

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In our Gospel reading for the Palm Sunday procession, Jesus sends his disciples into Jerusalem to prepare for his triumphal entry. They are told to untether a donkey, and if there is any protest from the owner, they are to say simply, "The Master has need of it." Strictly speaking, God has need of nothing, since he is the unconditioned act of existence. God doesn't need our praise or our good works or anything. But this phrase signals the wonderful truth that God allows us to cooperate with his grace so that we can participate in the work that he wants to do. He gives us what Aquinas called "the dignity of causality." We are privileged to be instruments in his hands.

Mass Readings

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In our Gospel reading for the Palm Sunday procession, Jesus sends his disciples into Jerusalem to prepare for his triumphal entry. They are told to untether a donkey, and if there is any protest from the owner, they are to say simply, "The Master has need of it."

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Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

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In his homily during the worldwide moment of prayer that Pope Francis led this evening, he reflected on how Coronavirus has united us in our common humanity, as brothers and sisters.

"We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together," he said.

He used the image of the disciples on the boat, caught by an unexpected storm, and Jesus asleep in the stern. When they call on the Lord, the disciples prove their faith, and yet Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith.

Let us try to understand. In what does the lack of the disciples' faith consist, as contrasted with Jesus' trust? They had not stopped believing in him; in fact, they called on him. But we see how they call on him: "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" (v. 38). Do you not care : they think that Jesus is not interested in them, does not care about them.

But "he, more than anyone, cares about us," Pope Francis assured.

The pope said that God is calling us to faith, "which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you."

And he said that this time of trial is a "time of choosing."

It is not the time of your judgement, but of our judgement: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.

Read the whole homily below:
"When evening had come" ( 4:35). The Gospel passage we have just heard begins like this. For weeks now it has been evening. Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that stops everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice in people's gestures, their glances give them away. We find ourselves afraid and lost.

Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat... are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying "We are perishing" (v. 38), so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this.

On this boat... are all of us.

It is easy to recognize ourselves in this story. What is harder to understand is Jesus' attitude. While his disciples are quite naturally alarmed and desperate, he stands in the stern, in the part of the boat that sinks first. And what does he do? In spite of the tempest, he sleeps on soundly, trusting in the Father; this is the only time in the Gospels we see Jesus sleeping. When he wakes up, after calming the wind and the waters, he turns to the disciples in a reproaching voice: "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" (v. 40).

Let us try to understand. In what does the lack of the disciples' faith consist, as contrasted with Jesus' trust? They had not stopped believing in him; in fact, they called on him. But we see how they call on him: "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" (v. 38). Do you not care : they think that Jesus is not interested in them, does not care about them. One of the things that hurts us and our families most when we hear it said is: "Do you not care about me?" It is a phrase that wounds and unleashes storms in our hearts. It would have shaken Jesus too. Because he, more than anyone, cares about us. Indeed, once they have called on him, he saves his disciples from their discouragement.

The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and our communities. The tempest lays bare all our prepackaged ideas and forgetfulness of what nourishes our people's souls; all those attempts that anesthetize us with ways of thinking and acting that supposedly "save" us, but instead prove incapable of putting us in touch with our roots and keeping alive the memory of those who have gone before us. We deprive ourselves of the antibodies we need to confront adversity.

In this storm, the façade of those stereotypes with which we camouflaged our egos, always worrying about our image, has fallen away, uncovering once more that (blessed) common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived: our belonging as brothers and sisters.

"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" Lord, your word this evening strikes us and regards us, all of us. In this world, that you love more than we do, we have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick. Now that we are in a stormy sea, we implore you: "Wake up, Lord!".

Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith

"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" Lord, you are calling to us, calling us to faith. Which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you. This Lent your call reverberates urgently: "Be converted!", "Return to me with all your heart" ( 2:12). You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing . It is not the time of your judgement, but of our judgement: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.

We can look to so many exemplary companions for the journey, who, even though fearful, have reacted by giving their lives. This is the force of the Spirit poured out and fashioned in courageous and generous self-denial. It is the life in the Spirit that can redeem, value and demonstrate how our lives are woven together and sustained by ordinary people - often forgotten people - who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines nor on the grand catwalks of the latest show, but who without any doubt are in these very days writing the decisive events of our time: doctors, nurses, supermarket employees, cleaners, caregivers, providers of transport, law and order forces, volunteers, priests, religious men and women and so very many others who have understood that no one reaches salvation by themselves.

In the face of so much suffering, where the authentic development of our peoples is assessed, we experience the priestly prayer of Jesus: "That they may all be one" ( 17:21). How many people every day are exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility. How many fathers, mothers, grandparents and teachers are showing our children, in small everyday gestures, how to face up to and navigate a crisis by adjusting their routines, lifting their gaze and fostering prayer. How many are praying, offering and interceding for the good of all. Prayer and quiet service: these are our victorious weapons.

Prayer and quiet service: these are our victorious weapons.

"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith"? Faith begins when we realise we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them. Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck. Because this is God's strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.

The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be floundering. The Lord awakens so as to reawaken and revive our Easter faith.

We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love. In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side.

The Lord asks us from his cross to rediscover the life that awaits us, to look towards those who look to us, to strengthen, recognize and foster the grace that lives within us. Let us not quench the wavering flame (cf 42:3) that never falters, and let us allow hope to be rekindled.

We have an anchor... We have a rudder... We have a hope

Embracing his cross means finding the courage to embrace all the hardships of the present time, abandoning for a moment our eagerness for power and possessions in order to make room for the creativity that only the Spirit is capable of inspiring. It means finding the courage to create spaces where everyone can recognize that they are called, and to allow new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity.

By his cross we have been saved in order to embrace hope and let it strengthen and sustain all measures and all possible avenues for helping us protect ourselves and others. Embracing the Lord in order to embrace hope: that is the strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us hope.

"Why are you afraid? Have you no faith"? Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter's rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God's blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace.

Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: "Do not be afraid" ( 28:5). And we, together with Peter, "cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us" (cf. 5:7).

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Full text from Pope Francis' homily for the special 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing

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In his homily during the worldwide moment of prayer that Pope Francis led this evening, he reflected on how Coronavirus has united us in our common humanity, as brothers and sisters. "We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together," he said.

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This page exists for you to come, pray with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and receive more of the grace and power of the Holy Spirit so that you won’t just survive, but thrive during these challenging days. Explore this page and see all we have to offer

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My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

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My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

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Add your prayer to the map!

In this time of global uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, let us respond with hope instead of fear. Gather and pray with the Universal Church by adding your flame to the map. Each flame represents one person or community actively praying.

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How can I keep watch and pray right now?
We want to introduce you to online resources from Christian ministries around the globe that will lead you into communal prayer - through technology, we CAN stay connected!

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We want to introduce you to online resources from Christian ministries around the globe that will lead you into communal prayer - through technology, we CAN stay connected!

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Pope Francis has asked Christians around the world to unite in praying the Our Father prayer at noon on March 25 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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A tweet recently went viral that said, "Honestly hadn't planned on giving up quite this much for Lent."

It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately, the timing of COVID-19, right in the middle of Lent, in which millions of people suddenly find themselves giving things up - whether they wanted to or not.

Giving things up is not easy, sacrifice can be painful. Some of you may be giving up the final months of your senior year and the rituals that surround that, a sports season, the production of a musical or recital that you've put hours into preparing, the peace of mind that comes with routine, the safety that is provided from your school environment, time spent with friends, jobs, vacations, the feeling of security that your health is not immediately threatened by a new virus.

Perhaps most profound is that in the midst of Lent, a time when we are called to deepen our prayer lives, to draw closer to the Lord, we have also been asked to refrain from attending Mass, we have been asked to sacrifice receiving the source and summit of our faith, the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our dearly beloved Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.

And for what purpose?
To protect the sanctity of life.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, what your thoughts are about how it's being handled (or not handled), the reality is that the vulnerable members of our society are at risk. Not just the elderly, but those who have cancer, auto-immune disorders, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, are pregnant, etc. We have a civic duty, and more importantly, a Christian duty, to protect them. In the coming weeks, when we grow tired and despondent from self quarantining, we must remember that human life is at the center of this, even if it is not our own life that is in imminent danger.

Faced with fear, or inconvenience, we can unite our suffering with the cross and offer it up for the souls who will be most affected by this, for children who will have to go without meals provided for them by their schools, and for all medical personnel who are working more tirelessly than they already do.

This experience is new to all of us. In that, I find solace. Though we may be physically separated, we are in this together, we will journey together, pray together, grieve together. This will require an abundance of patience, flexibility, kindness, the ability to think beyond one's self, but I am confident that we will move forward.

Though we may not be able to receive Eucharist, there are still ways we can come together and be the living Body of Christ. The Catholic response in the face of adversity, hardship - and yes, even plagues - has not been to turn one's back to the world, but instead to embrace the words Jesus taught us: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"; "Love your neighbor as yourself"; "Greater love has no man than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends."

Now is an especially important time to practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Here are some ideas:

Call your local Catholic Charities or Church. Ask them what members of your community are most in need and how you can be of assistance.

Check in with elderly neighbors via a phone call or from a safe distance (six feet apart and only if you are well). See if you can drop off a box of food and paper products for them. It is VERY dangerous for people over 70 to be out and about right now and many stores have been.

Call your loved ones who might be lonely. Nursing homes have limited visits in many cases. Most hospitals are no longer allowing visitors with few exceptions. Take a few minutes out of your day to make a card or two and send it to your local hospital or nursing home.

Donate to food banks (including toilet paper if you have a large stash). Many, many single parents and hourly workers are beginning to find themselves in need of extra support.

Offer up inconveniences and anxiety for the sick and the souls in purgatory.

Pray a daily Rosary as a family, asking our Mother to wrap us in her mantle of protection.

One final thought - "this is the time that Saints are made" has been a constant thought of mine. This is not the first time in its 2000 year history that the Church has been faced with an epidemic, nor will it be her last. Saints rise up in the face of adversity and hardship, they transform the culture around them by the light and peace of Christ. May we have the grace and courage to be the hands, feet, and heart of our Lord Jesus Christ during this unprecedented time.

P.S. Many Saints who have gone before us were unable to receive the Blessed Sacrament. They often made a spiritual communion. Until we can receive the Eucharist again, I encourage you to pray this prayer daily:
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

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Service During COVID-19 - LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth

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Not just the elderly, but those who have cancer, auto-immune disorders, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, are pregnant, etc. We have a civic duty, and more importantly, a Christian duty, to protect them.

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Spiritual Reflection with Fr. Jared Loehr on Sunday March 22, 2020 at 3:00pm

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Spiritual Reflection with Fr. Jared Loehr on Sunday March 22, 2020 at 3:00pm

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Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, conference, huddle, and training rooms, as well as executive offices and classrooms. Founded in 2011, Zoom helps businesses and organizations bring their teams together in a frictionless environment to get more done.

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MARCH 19 - Pope Francis has asked everyone to pray the Rosary at 3pm (CST)

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MARCH 19 - Pope Francis has asked everyone to pray the Rosary at 3pm (CST)

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Every family, every member of the faithful, every religious community: All of us spiritually united tomorrow (Thursday) at 9 pm in praying the Rosary, the Luminous Mysteries.

Mary — Mother of God, and Health of the Sick, to whom we direct the Rosary, under the loving gaze of St. Joseph, Protector of the Holy Family, and our families — brings us to the luminous and transfigured Face of Christ and his Heart.

And we ask that he especially protect our families, in particular the sick and those who care for them: doctors, nurses, and volunteers, who risk their lives in this service.

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A reflection for St. Joseph's feast day.

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Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
See Readings on USCCB

The LORD spoke to Nathan and said:
"Go, tell my servant David,
'When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,
I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,
and I will make his kingdom firm.
It is he who shall build a house for my name.
And I will make his royal throne firm forever.
I will be a father to him,
and he shall be a son to me.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me;
your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

R. (37) The son of David will live for ever.
The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness,
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations."
R. The son of David will live for ever.
"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.'
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm."
R. The son of David will live for ever.

Brothers and sisters:
It was not through the law
that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants
that he would inherit the world,
but through the righteousness that comes from faith.
For this reason, it depends on faith,
so that it may be a gift,
and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants,
not to those who only adhere to the law
but to those who follow the faith of Abraham,
who is the father of all of us, as it is written,
I have made you father of many nations.
He is our father in the sight of God,
in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead
and calls into being what does not exist.
He believed, hoping against hope,
that he would become the father of many nations,
according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.
That is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

Verse Before the Gospel Ps 84:5

Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord;
they never cease to praise you.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
or Lk 2:41-51a
Each year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover,
and when he was twelve years old,
they went up according to festival custom.
After they had completed its days, as they were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem,
but his parents did not know it.
Thinking that he was in the caravan,
they journeyed for a day
and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances,
but not finding him,
they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.
After three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions,
and all who heard him were astounded
at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him,
they were astonished,
and his mother said to him,
"Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety."
And he said to them,
"Why were you looking for me?
Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
But they did not understand what he said to them.
He went down with them and came to Nazareth,
and was obedient to them.

- - -
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

My mom has a devotion to Saint Joseph.

Over the years when I was frustrated about dating, my vocation or my desire to find a better job, she would always point me toward a Saint Joseph novena. Having a terrible track record of completing novenas, I prayed this one last winter. Not every situation immediately resolved itself, but it deepened a friendship for me with this simple man who was tasked with the role of raising the Son of God.

Scripture does not tell us anything about his past before his engagement to Mary, only that he was a just man. We know his profession was carpentry. We also know he wrestled with the news of Mary's unique pregnancy because an angel appeared to him in a dream affirming the path of marriage and life to Our Lady. We don't know what was Joseph like as an individual, his likes or dislikes or his personality. What was he like as a father, husband, and friend?

But one thing we know for sure: Joseph was called to radical trust just as Mary was. Both were told life-altering news that shifted more than their personal lives. Neither of them were given a detailed blue print of the story of their lives. Both were called to trust God in that specific moment. Isn't that how God works in our lives sometimes?

We do not always know where the journey will take us; the twists and turns along the way, but we are invited into radical trust just like Our Lady and Saint Joseph. Sometimes that feels easy and light, other times it feels difficult and confusing.

The Church offers us today to honor the life of Saint Joseph. Let us ask him to intercede for us, our intentions, and help us model radical trust just as he did.

Joseph was called to radical trust just as Mary was. // @amoderngrace Click To Tweet

Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, pray for us! Start this novena my mom loved today.
Patty Breen is a full-time lay minister who finds joy in running, strong cups of coffee, and all things Ignatian spirituality. A Midwestern gal from the mitten state, she is constantly learning to find grace in all things. She is passionate about ministry, writing, a great lipstick color, and smiling is her favorite. Find out more about her here.

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Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin MarySee Readings on USCCB Reading 1 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 The LORD spoke to Nathan and said: "Go, tell my servant David, 'When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.

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Join the Rosary Conference call every weekday morning at 8:00am!
Call into (712) 451-0543 and put in code 840776#

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Need sometime for prayerful stretching? Soulcore will have mini-sessions on their Facebook live at 8:00am CST, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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Friends, in an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times, when many parishes have closed due to restrictions around the coronavirus, we invite you to join us online for daily Mass from Bishop Barron's chapel, celebrated either by Bishop Barron himself or by Fr. Steve Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire. And please continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus.

Previous Mass VIDEOS

Tour of Bishop Barron's Chapel

Watch this short tour of Bishop Barron's chapel in Santa Barbara, offered by Fr. Steve Grunow, where we'll continue to stream Mass each day during this coronavirus pandemic. Please join us, and let's continue praying for all those impacted or infected by this virus.

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In an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times, we invite you to join us online for daily Mass from Bishop Barron's chapel. And please continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus.

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"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well." - Julian of Norwich (lived through the Black Death)

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Find a way to give back while you are at home

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Operation Gratitude's commitment to say "Thank You" to all who serve remains strong and clear - They can't stop, so we won't stop! This is a time for every American to take action to support our Deployed Troops, National Guardsmen, First Responders, and Emergency Medical Personnel who are on the frontlines of this pandemic.

Our response to COVID-19 is a call to action for #VirtualVolunteerism, and we are providing 3 ways for you (and your family) to give back from your own home:

1. Handmade With Love Items. There is something about receiving a handmade item that warms the heart. If you knit, crochet, or sew, we are calling on you to get out your needles and hooks and redouble your efforts during these challenging times. If you love to craft, consider hand-making greeting cards so our Deployed Troops can write to their loved ones at home. Every Handmade With Love item is an expression of deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our recipients.

2. Make Paracord Bracelets. We include handcrafted paracord bracelets in every one of our Care Packages, because they're both functional and meaningful. You can purchase the cord in bundles of 5 by visiting Operation Gratitude's eBay site, or you can respond directly to this email to order 100 or more paracords for your family and friends.

3. Write Letters. We hear time and again that handwritten letters are the most cherished items in our Care Packages. You can learn more about how to write a letter to a Deployed Service Member or a First Responder on our website. This is a great activity for volunteers of all ages!

As you organize an activity for your family to honor our Military and First Responders during this challenging time, please know your support and acts of gratitude will make a difference.

Let's turn the#OG2020Challenge into an opportunity for you and your family to give back. Together, we will show our nation's heroes that while they continue to serve and protect us, we will continue to support them.

With Gratitude,

Kevin Schmiegel
Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
Chief Executive Officer, Operation Gratitude
#ActionsSpeakLouder

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#Virtual Volunteerism - They Can't Stop So We Won't Stop

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Operation Gratitude's commitment to say "Thank You" to all who serve remains strong and clear - They can't stop, so we won't stop! This is a time for every American to take action to support our Deployed Troops, National Guardsmen, First Responders, and Emergency Medical Personnel who are on the frontlines of this pandemic.

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Lent - 5 minute reflection by Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Lent - 5 minute reflection by Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A great way to make this Lent even better spiritually is to offer up not only something you chose, but also to offer up your inconveniences. Give God those moments when you're stuck in traffic, or when someone says something bitter to you, or when you have to run an errand you just don't want to run.

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The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | National Shrine of Divine Mercy

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St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

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USCCB President’s Reflection and Prayer During Coronavirus

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USCCB President’s Reflection and Prayer During Coronavirus

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WASHINGTON- Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19):

With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity - that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God.

God does not abandon us, he goes with us even now in this time of trial and testing. In this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbor. Let us draw closer to one another in our love for him, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives.

United with our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick. Let us pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus. May God console them and grant them peace.

We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good.

In this time of need, I invite all the faithful to seek together the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I share this prayer with you:

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

---
Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, bishops, prayer, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Archbishop José H. Gomez.

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USCCB President's Reflection and Prayer During Coronavirus

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WASHINGTON- Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19): With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our common humanity - that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God.

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St. Patrick and St. Joseph with Bishop Barron

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St. Patrick and St. Joseph with Bishop Barron

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Bishop Barron on Saints Patrick and Joseph

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Thanks to Sr. Margaret Joseph for adding this wonderful Litany

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Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

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For various reasons we may be prevented from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. We may have broken the one hour fast, be in a state of mortal sin, or we could even be homebound, unable to leave our home to attend Mass.

In these cases the Church encourages us to make an act of "spiritual communion," where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.

Countless saints incorporated this type of prayer into their daily lives, not being satisfied with receiving Jesus in the Eucharist once a week or even once a day. Making an act of spiritual communion for them was an essential part of life and drew them closer to God on a daily basis.

St. Josemaria Escriva encouraged everyone to make a spiritual communion as often as they could, "What a source of grace there is in spiritual communion! Practice it frequently and you'll have greater presence of God and closer union with him in all your actions."

Padre Pio also had a habit of making a spiritual communion throughout the day outside of the celebration of Mass. He desired to be always united with Jesus Christ in everything he did.

Below is a traditional prayer of spiritual communion that many saints have prayed over the years. It can be prayed if you find yourself at Mass unable to receive the Eucharist, or even in the midst of your daily work, lifting up your thoughts to God.

The ultimate goal of our lives should be communion with God and an act of spiritual communion can help a person draw closer to that goal.

My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

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Can't receive the Eucharist? Here's how to make a spiritual communion

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For various reasons we may be prevented from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. We may have broken the one hour fast, be in a state of mortal sin, or we could even be homebound, unable to leave our home to attend Mass.

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Need some quiet time with Jesus? Missed Mass? Here are some places that are offering Mass and Adoration online.

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Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture

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There is a famous and true story about St. Clare of Assisi, the great friend of St. Francis and foundress of the Poor Clare nuns. One day she was bed-bound due to illness and was unable to attend Mass with her community. She prayed fervently to God asking for the grace to somehow be able to join her sisters. Immediately she received a stunning vision of the Mass - a "live feed" so to speak. It seemed to her the Mass had been delivered directly into her monastic cell, and she was thereby able to worship.

As televisions became ubiquitous in the West the Church, recalling this vision, declared Clare the Patroness of Television in 1958.

Over the years churches have been known to broadcast live Masses (as well as pre-recorded Masses) on local and network TV channels - the first televised Mass went out from Boston, in 1949 and the Vatican's Christmas Mass has been broadcast live every year since the first, Europe-limited broadcasts of the 1950's - but with the introduction of the internet the possibilities have only increased.

Catholic broadcasting networks such as EWTN and Catholic TV make it possible to watch Mass on a daily basis through their YouTube channels. This allows the homebound and sick, or even non-Catholics curious about the Mass, to participate in the Holy Sacrifice from anywhere in the world. They can view it from their computer, TV, or phone, and engage spirituality in the Mass being celebrated elsewhere.

Participating in Mass online is never a replacement for the Mass in person and does not fulfill the Sunday obligation. However, if someone is homebound or sick at the hospital, it provides an opportunity to participate in and be consoled by the Mass and still reap spiritual fruit.

Recently churches have been exploring other possibilities, not only offering live feeds of Mass, but also video streams that originate from their churches and Perpetual Adoration chapels. The Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters seem to have been the first to do this, offering a live feed from their monastic choir. On YouTube, Adorecast is one of many live channels where one can - in a spirit of sincere devotion - check in day or night to spend some time in Adoration before Jesus in the Eucharist.

While these digital alternatives can never fully compare to in-person participation, they do offer a unique opportunity for those who desire to see Jesus in the Eucharist, but for various circumstances are unable to do so at their local church.

In an age when crimes are being captured on Facebook live video, it is beautiful to see technology being used to broadcast the Word of God himself.

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Can't make it to Adoration or to Mass? Try these live YouTube channels

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There is a famous and true story about St. Clare of Assisi, the great friend of St. Francis and foundress of the Poor Clare nuns. One day she was bed-bound due to illness and was unable to attend Mass with her community.

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The Stations of the Cross is a devotion following the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Prayers accompanying it allow time to reflect on the mystery of his death. Originally the Stations of the Cross was an actual physical journey in and around Jerusalem. Later the series was symbolized in outdoor shrines, and today many parishes display artistic representations in their sanctuaries. The Stations of the Cross may be done at any time, but is commonly a part of Lenten spiritual practice, specifically on Good Friday. Busted Halo has created a series of virtual stations designed for personal devotion. These stations relate to Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom of God and the reason his vision of this Kingdom led to his death. Find a quiet place to watch these stations, and as you do the devotions be open to how God is speaking to you through the Stations of the Cross. To download a video with all the Stations of the Cross, go here and click the download arrow or choose save or download.
Station One: Jesus Is Condemned to Death

Station Two: Jesus Carries His Cross

Station Three: Jesus Falls for the First Time

Station Four: Jesus Meets His Mother

Station Five: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Station Six: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

Station Seven: Jesus Falls for the Second Time

Station Eight: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

Station Nine: Jesus Falls for the Third Time

Station Ten: Jesus Is Stripped of His Clothes

Station Eleven: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

Station Twelve: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Station Thirteen: Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross

Station Fourteen: Jesus Is Placed in the Tomb

Credits: Images of the Stations of the Cross from the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., were created by Pittsburgh artist Virgil Cantini and courtesy of Catholic News Service and photographer Bob Roller. All music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).
(Originally published March 22, 2019)

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Virtual Stations of the Cross | Busted Halo

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The Stations of the Cross is a devotion following the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. Prayers accompanying it allow time to reflect on the mystery of his death. Originally the Stations of the Cross was an actual physical journey in and around Jerusalem.

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Click here!

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Paul's Letters

Saint Paul wrote five letters to communities he had evangelized (One and Two Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, and One Thessalonians), one letter to a community he would visit later (Romans), and one letter to an individual (Philemon). Other letters were written under Paul's influence but not by Paul himself (Ephesians, Colossians, Two Thessalonians, One and Two Timothy, Titus). Paul wrote his letters to help the communities in their struggles with the pagan world that surrounded them. His goal was always pastoral rather than theological; that is, he was not trying to define doctrines for them but wanted to keep them faithful to the teaching and example of Jesus. One reason why his letters are so valuable to us is that they were the first New Testament pieces to be written: all of his letters were written before the first Gospel was written. Paul's letters, therefore, give us an insight into the thinking of the Church in the earliest decades of its history.

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3-Minute Retreats Daily Online Prayer | Loyola Press

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Paul's Letters Saint Paul wrote five letters to communities he had evangelized (One and Two Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, and One Thessalonians), one letter to a community he would visit later (Romans), and one letter to an individual (Philemon). Other letters were written under Paul's influence but not by Paul himself (Ephesians, Colossians, Two Thessalonians, One and Two Timothy, Titus).

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Sometimes it feels as though the seasons pass by with an unattainable swiftness.

Just at the point when you're ready for long days at the pool, Target unloads its school supplies - reminding you with a metaphorical side-eye that soon you'll be sitting at a desk for eight hours a day. Or doesn't it seem like by the time you're ready to sip your pumpkin spice latte, Christmas lights are twinkling on your neighbors' rooftops, welcoming in this magical season of hope?

It's a universal truth that seasons come and seasons go; after all, we are not meant to live within one season forever. But, maybe we feel as though seasons go so fast because we don't slow down long enough to enter deeply into them? Perhaps this pace is but a motorboat skimming across a deep, vast, and beautiful ocean.

The Church invites us into the season of Lent as a way to stop "grazing the surface," to strap on our scuba gear, to discover the depths and beauty of the vast ocean that is Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. While Lent may not be as busy as Advent, it does come with its own set of challenges. And, sometimes we can be tempted to want to get into that comfy ride atop the surface of this season because Lent is long and fasting is hard.

But, you know what happens when you take on hard tasks when you plunge into the depths? You grow.

And growth is good; growth is necessary; growth is a vehicle to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.

Remaining Open to Prayer

If you've ever watched a tree grow, you know growth is not for the impatient. Each inch takes time, and each inch seems insignificant. But inches turn into feet and eventually feet turn into a tree, healthy and strong.

Let each of the following prayers act as an inch to your tree of faith this Lent. Each prayer is designed to lead you more deeply into this season and the majority can be prayed in 10 min or less. Pick and choose one prayer for each day or simply repeat one of these prayers for the 40 days of this season.

Whatever you do, offer yourself to the Lord, seeking His aid and grace to help you grow into the saint He has created you to become.

Short Prayers - 1 Minute or Less

To be said in rhythm with your breath or repeated and meditated upon throughout the day.
1. The Sign of the Cross - (Breathe in) In the name of the Father, and the Son, (Breathe Out) and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. The Jesus Prayer - (Breathe in) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God (Breathe out) have mercy on me, a sinner.
3. Mark 9:24 - (Breathe in) I believe (Breathe out) help my unbelief.
4. Psalm 91:2 - (Breathe in) You are my refuge and fortress (Breathe out) my God in whom I trust.
5. Psalm 23:1 - (Breathe in) The Lord is my shepherd (Breathe out) there is nothing I lack.
6. Psalm 27:14 - (Breathe in) Wait for the Lord. (Breathe out) Be strong and take heart.
7. Psalm 80:3 - (Breathe in) Restore us, O God; (Breathe out) Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Short Prayers - 5 Minutes or Less

8. The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

9. The Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Separated from you let me never be. From the evil one, defend me. At the hour of death, call me. And close to you bid me.
That with your saints I may be Praising you, forever and ever. Amen.

10. The Fragrance Prayer by Cardinal John Henry Newman
Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with your Spirit and Life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that my life may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in their soul. Let them look up, and see no longer us, but only Jesus!

Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be my own. It will be you, shining on others through me. Let me then praise you in the way you love best, by shining on those around us. Let me preach you without preaching; not by words but by example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love our hearts bear for you. Amen."

11. The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.

12. Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen

13. Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

14. St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

15. Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

16. The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and Earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.

Long Prayers - 20 Minutes or Less

17. The Litany of Humility
18. The Stations of the Cross - Life Teen's VIA
19. The Rosary - Sorrowful Mysteries
20. The Divine Mercy Chaplet
21. The Seven Last Words by Fulton Sheen
22. St. Faustina's Litany of Divine Mercy
23. The Seven Sorrows Devotion
24. Novena to St. Mary Magdalene - to be said daily for nine days
25. Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows - to be said daily for nine days

Scripture Meditations - 20 Minutes or Less

Lectio Divina is a beautiful practice to use when reflecting upon Scripture. Click here for detailed written instruction, or here for video explanation on how to meditate with the Scripture stories below. For community participation during Lent (and beyond), please join us on our YouTube page every Wednesday at 6pm EST for Life Teen's Lectio Live.

26. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son
27. Luke 18:9-14 - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
28. Luke 22:39-46 - The Agony in the Garden
39. Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation in the Desert
30. Matthew 27:32-56 - The Crucifixion of Jesus
31. John 20:1-18 - The Empty Tomb
32. Acts 2 - Pentecost
33. Matthew 17:1-8 - The Transfiguration

Prayers of Action

34. Fasting
35. Adoration: Spend 15-30 min in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
36. Almsgiving: Donate to charity, tithe to your parish, and/or buy a meal for a friend in need.
37. Receive the Sacrament of Confession.
38. Attend one daily Mass, in addition to your regular Sunday attendance.
39. Serve in a local ministry, either at your parish or in your community.
40. Pray with this list of quotes for the season of Lent.

Whatever your practice of prayer is this season of Lent, let it be one of patience, peace, and hope. My hope is that by choosing to dive into this season (instead of skimming over its surface), you are provided with great fruit and knowledge of the Lord's incredible sacrifice for you and I. May these prayers be but a small, yet fierce, reminder of His rich mercy and unrelenting love.

Know of my prayers for you today and always!
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.

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40 Ways for 40 Days: Staying Rooted in Prayer this Lent - LifeTeen.com for Catholic Youth

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Let each of the following prayers act as an inch to your tree of faith this Lent. Each prayer is designed to lead you more deeply into this season and the majority can be prayed in 10 min or less.