The Fatima Seers and Lent
by Donal Anthony Foley – Catholics are living through Lent this year at the same time the world is gradually coming to terms with the COVID 19 pandemic – a pandemic that has caused widespread problems for people across the globe. If we go back 100 years, the Spanish flu was likewise wreaking havoc around […]
The history of Lent and fasting in the Church
by Donal Anthony Foley – We have once again entered the season of Lent, a season of the Church calendar that is difficult for many Catholics. We have the feeling that we should be doing more, but under the pressure of modern life, and perhaps a degree of selfishness, we are reluctant to take on […]
Lent with St. Francisco: “Blessed are those who are persecuted”
In this 6th week of Lent with St. Francisco, we are focusing on the beatitude, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus stated clearly that we will be persecuted if we follow Him. He told us, “If the world hates you, realize it hated me […]
Lent with St. Francisco: Blessed are those who mourn
Jesus told the crowds, “Blessed are you who mourn, for you will be comforted.” Do we not all mourn with our brothers and sisters when there is suffering? We mourn because of the miseries of poverty, oppression and depression within ourselves and in others. But the pious person mourns most of all from the tremendous […]
No sacrifice too small: Setting realistic goals for Lent
by Michaelyn Hein – When it comes to my faith life, I often make big plans – which might sound admirable. But the problem with big plans is that they can easily make us feel like big failures. This past Advent, I promised to read a few chapters from the Bible and one meditation from […]
