Pope Francis reminds us that Lent is a time of spiritual combat

Pope Francis: 'Lent is a Time of Spiritual Combat'

Distributes Booklets to Faithful to Prepare For Lenten Season During Angelus Address

    

Rome, February 22, 2015 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves   

The Lenten season is a time of spiritual combat in which "we have our gazed fixed upon Easter, which is the definitive victory of Jesus against the Evil One." With these words, Pope Francis addressed the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square on the First Sunday of Lent.

 

The Holy Father reflected on today's Gospel which recalls Jesus' 40 days in the desert where He was tempted by Satan. During that time, the Pope said, Christ engaged in "close combat" and was victorious over temptation.
"The Church reminds us of that mystery at the beginning of Lent, so that it may give us the perspective and the meaning of this time, which is a time of combat," he said. "A spiritual combat against the spirit of evil; and while we cross the Lenten "desert", we have our gazed fixed upon Easter, which is the definitive victory of Jesus against the Evil One, against sin and against death."
Francis went on to say that the meaning of the First Sunday of Lent is to place ourselves on the path of Christ, who is "the road that leads to life."
Continuing his address, the Pope reflected on the significance of the desert, a place where both the voice of God and the voice of the Tempter can be heard. The Holy Father stressed that like Jesus, Christians must know Scripture; "otherwise we do not know how to respond to the attacks of the Evil One."
The 78 year old Pontiff reminded the faithful once again to carry a pocket-sized Gospel and meditate upon it every day.
"Always have the Gospel in hand," he said. "The Lenten desert helps us to say no to worldliness, to the 'idols', it helps us to make courageous choices in accordance with the Gospel and to strengthen solidarity among the brothers."
Before leading the faithful in the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father encouraged the faithful to enter into the "Lenten desert" without fear, saying that "we are not alone: we are with Jesus, with the Father and with the Holy Spirit.
"Lent, he said, "is an appropriate time that should lead us to be ever more aware of how much the Holy Spirit, received in Baptism, has worked and can work in us. And in the end of the Lenten itinerary, in the Easter Vigil, we can renew with greater awareness the Baptismal covenant and the commitments that flow from it."
The Pope also entrusted this week's Spiritual Exercises to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Holy Father along with members of the Roman Curia will depart for the Roman town of Arriccia, where they will hold a week long Lenten retreat.
"I ask that you pray for us, that in the desert of the spiritual exercise, we may listen to the voice of Jesus, and also correct so many defects that we have. And to also confront the temptations that attacks us every day. I ask you therefore to accompany us with your prayers," he said.
Guard Your Hearts
Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis greeted the various groups present in the square and reminded them that the Lenten season is a "path of conversion that has the heart at its center."
The Holy Father then told the faithful that he had a gift for them: a pocket-sized book entitled "Custodisci il cuore" (Guard your hearts). "This book collects some teachings of Jesus and the essential contents of our faith, for example the seven Sacraments, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Ten Commandments, the Virtues, the works of mercy," he said.
The books were distributed by a group of homeless people who were on pilgrimage in Rome. The group was present in the square accompanied by Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner.
"As always, here in the square, with those who are in need, they are the same ones who bring us a great wealth," the Pope said.
"The wealth of our doctrine to guard your heart," he continued. "Each one of you take a booklet and carry it with you, as a help for spiritual conversion and growth that always starts from the heart: there where the match of daily choices between good and evil are played, between worldliness and the Gospel, between indifference and sharing.
"Humanity is in need of justice, of peace, love," he concluded, "and will have it only by returning with their whole heart to God, who is the source."
Before departing, Pope Francis once again asked the faithful to pray for him and the members of the Roman Curia during their week of Spiritual Exercises.

Feb 22 would normally be the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter; and it's not about furniture

February 22
Chair of St. Peter

 

 

This feast commemorates Christ’s choosing Peter to sit in his place as the servant-authority of the whole Church (see June 29).
After the “lost weekend” of pain, doubt and self-torment, Peter hears the Good News. Angels at the tomb say to Magdalene, “The Lord has risen! Go, tell his disciples and Peter.” John relates that when he and Peter ran to the tomb, the younger outraced the older, then waited for him. Peter entered, saw the wrappings on the ground, the headpiece rolled up in a place by itself. John saw and believed. But he adds a reminder: “...[T]hey did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead” (John 20:9). They went home. There the slowly exploding, impossible idea became reality. Jesus appeared to them as they waited fearfully behind locked doors. “Peace be with you,” he said (John 20:21b), and they rejoiced.

The Pentecost event completed Peter’s experience of the risen Christ. “...[T]hey were all filled with the holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4a) and began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.

Only then can Peter fulfill the task Jesus had given him: “... [O]nce you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). He at once becomes the spokesman for the Twelve about their experience of the Holy Spirit—before the civil authorities who wished to quash their preaching, before the council of Jerusalem, for the community in the problem of Ananias and Sapphira. He is the first to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. The healing power of Jesus in him is well attested: the raising of Tabitha from the dead, the cure of the crippled beggar. People carry the sick into the streets so that when Peter passed his shadow might fall on them.

Even a saint experiences difficulty in Christian living. When Peter stopped eating with Gentile converts because he did not want to wound the sensibilities of Jewish Christians, Paul says, “...I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong.... [T]hey were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel...” (Galatians 2:11b, 14a).

At the end of John’s Gospel, Jesus says to Peter, “Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go” (John 21:18). What Jesus said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God. On Vatican Hill, in Rome, during the reign of Nero, Peter did glorify his Lord with a martyr’s death, probably in the company of many Christians.

Second-century Christians built a small memorial over his burial spot. In the fourth century, the Emperor Constantine built a basilica, which was replaced in the 16th century.

Stories:

This saintly man's life is perhaps best summed up at his meeting with Jesus after the resurrection in the presence of the men Peter was to lead. In imitation of Peter's triple denial, Jesus asked him three times, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:16b). Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. . . . Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you (John 21:16c, 17b).

Comment:

Like the committee chair, this chair refers to the occupant, not the furniture. Its first occupant stumbled a bit, denying Jesus three times and hesitating to welcome gentiles into the new Church. Some of its later occupants have also stumbled a bit, sometimes even failed scandalously. As individuals, we may sometimes think a particular pope has let us down. Still, the office endures as a sign of the long tradition we cherish and as a focus for the universal Church.

Quote:

Peter described our Christian calling in the opening of his First Letter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...” (1 Peter 1:3a).

Homily for 1st Sunday of Lent

When we begin a journey, we prepare!  This was surely driven home to me this past week when Wendy and I went to North Carolina to visit #1 grandson Calvin.  Part of our adventure was going to be a mid-week journey to the mountains, hopefully for a little skiing.  Under normal circumstances this would take lots of preparation.  But as we watched the weather, we really had to prepare as the coldest weather that region has ever seen would coincide with our trip.  In fact the high temperature  on one of the days in the mountains was predicted to be -4; that is below zero.  So we prepared, and prepared some more.

We all know about preparing.  We prepare to go to school and work, we prepare for our retirement, hopefully, and we prepare for things like vacations and the weekend!  Heck, many of us prepared lavishly for the Mardi Gras celebrations that just ended.   I hope we prepare for Mass with as much enthusiasm and our spiritual well being too! 

As people of faith we are called to be prepared for the most important journey in our lives, from here to eternity.

So we arrived at Lent this past Wednesday.  All the Mardi Gras frivolity is behind us and we wake up on Ash Wednesday to contemplate our own mortality.  Overflow crowds pressed into church after church to receive a smudge of ashes and hear the words: remember man you are dust and to dust you shall return.  But then sometimes, when you receive ashes you may also hear the words we heard today, spoken by Jesus, in Mark's Gospel: Repent and believe in the Gospel.  Jesus gave us a major part of our preparation for our life long and ultimate journey: repent, turning away from sin and committing to sin no more, and believe the Good News; the Gospel.

Every Lent we remind each other that our preparation for Easter and eternity includes three mileposts along the way: prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  As Catholics, we are called to pray everyday but why focus on prayer during Lent?  Well, the easy answer is that is exactly what Jesus shows us to do when he began his "personal Lent".  Scripture tells us he withdrew for 40 days to pray.  Jesus, the only Son of God, sent to this world to save you and me, began with prayer.  At all the seminal moments in his life on earth, Jesus began with prayer.  At all the important moments in our lives, and even the not so important, we are called to begin with prayer.  Do we?  Lent, this journey toward Resurrection, calls us to pray!

Fast.  What is a fast?  The Church encourages us to fast during Lent.  Of course we can and should fast at other times too.  Fasting is helpful in reminding us that there is nothing we absolutely have to have or should be so dependent on, except the love and mercy of God.  Of course we would do well to remember the Scripture that tells us to fast humbly.  We are not to call attention to ourselves or look for at-a-boys or even sympathy because we are fasting.

By the way, here it is very good to remind everyone about abstaining from meat on the Fridays of Lent.  We all know what a darn sacrifice that is down here.  Now we certainly want to support our Knights in their fundraisers every Lent.  But is it really a sacrifice to sit down Friday at lunch or dinner to gumbo, shrimp creole or a platter of char broiled oysters?  Nope, probably not.  Even the Pope weighed in this week reminding us that meatless Fridays does not mean a seafood smorgasbord. 

Almsgiving is a wonderful thing to teach to our young ones, although I bet a few of us not so young can learn a thing or two.  Again, giving something of value to one less fortunate than us is a great thing to do year-long.  In  Lent, coupled with prayer and fasting and the totality of the teaching of being prepared, it makes sense.  Sharing with others from our necessities is far superior to sharing with others from our excess.  Children can learn to give alms in doing small things for mom and dad, brother and sister, perhaps their teacher or a friend.  Almsgiving is about what we put into it from our interior place, not just a checkbook or wallet.

So on this first Sunday of Lent, we prepare.  As a family, or individually, repent, turn to and believe in the Gospel as we embrace prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  May our Lenten journey truly prepare us for that ultimate journey we are walking with Jesus Christ; from here to eternity!  And an eternity spent in Heaven with God!

By the way, thanks to our preparations, we survived the impressive snow, ice and dangerous cold that hit the mountains of North Carolina.  Preparation is important, and it works.  Be prepared!

Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Saint

St. Peter Damian

 

Facts

Feastday: February 21
Birth: 1007
Death: 1072

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St. Peter Damian is one of those stern figures who seem specially raised up, like St. John Baptist, to recall men in a lax age from the error of their ways and to bring them back into the narrow path of virtue. He was born at Ravenna and, having lost his parents when very young, he was left in the charge of a brother in whose house he was treated more like a slave than a kinsman. As soon as he was old enough he was sent to tend swine. Another brother, who was archpriest of Ravenna, took pity on the neglected lad and undertook to have him educated. Having found a father in this brother, Peter appears to have adopted from him the surname of Damian. Damian sent the boy to school, first at Faenza and then at Parma. He proved an apt pupil and became in time a master and a professor of great ability. He had early begun to inure himself to fasting, watching and prayer, and wore a hairshirt under his clothes to arm himself against the alurements of pleasure and the wiles of the devil. Not only did he give away much in alms, but he was seldom without some poor persons at his table, and took pleasure in serving them with his own hands. After a time Peter resolved to leave the world entirely and embrace a monastic life away from his own country. While his mind was full of these thoughts, two religious of St. Benedict, belonging to Fonte Avellana of the Reform of St. Romuald, happened to call at the house where he lived, and he was able to learn much from them about their Rule and mode of life. This decided him and he joined their hermitage, which was then in the greatest repute. The hermits, who dwelled in pairs in separate cells, occupied themselves chiefly in prayer and reading, and lived a life of great austerity. Peter's excessive watchings brought on a severe insomnia which was cured with difficulty, but which taught him to use more discretion. Acting upon this experience, he now devoted considerable time to Sacred studies, and became as well versed in the Holy Scriptures as he formerly had been in profane literature. By the unanimous consent of the hermits he was ordered to take upon himself the government of the Community in the event of the superior's death. Peter's extreme reluctance obliged the abbot to make it a matter of obedience. Accordingly after the abbot's decease about the year 1043, Peter assumed the direction of that holy family, which he governed with great wisdom and piety. He also founded five other hermitages in which he place Priors under his own general direction. His chief care was to foster in his disciples the spirit of solitude, charity, and humility. Many of them became great lights of the Church, including St. Dominic Loricatus, and St. John of Lodi, his successor in the priory of the Holy Cross, who wrote St. Peter's life and at the end of his days became Bishop of Gubbio. For years Peter Damian was much employed in the service of the Church by successive Popes, and in 1057 Stephen IX prevailed upon him to quit his desert and made him Cardinal-bishop of Ostia. Peter constantly solicited Nicholas II to grant him leave to resign his bishopric and return to the solitude, but the Pope had always refused. His successor, Alexander II, out of affection for the holy man, was prevailed upon with difficulty to consent, but reserved the power to employ him in Church matters of importance, as he might hereafter have need of his help. The saint from that time considered himself dispensed not only from the responsibility of governing his See, but from the supervision of the various religious settlements he had controlled, and reduced himself to the condition of a simple monk. In this retirement he edified the Church by his humility, penance and compunction, and labored in his writings to enforce the observance of morality and discipline. His style is vehement, and his strictness appears in all his works - especially when he treats of the duties of the clergy and of monks. He severely rebuked the Bishop of Florence for playing a game of chess. That prelate acknowledged his amusement to be unworthy, and received the holy man's reproof meekly, submitting to do penance by reciting the psalter three times and by washing the feet of twelve poor men and giving them each a piece of money. Peter wrote a treatise to the Bishop of Besancon in which he inveighed against the custom by which the Canons of that Church sang the Divine Office seated in choir, though he allowed all to sit for the lessons. He recommended the use of the discipline as a substitute for long penitential fasts. He wrote most severely on the obligation of monks and protested against their wandering abroad, seeing that the spirit of retirement is an essential condition of their state. He complained bitterly of certain evasions whereby many palliated real infractions of their vow of poverty. He justly observed, "We can never restore primitive discipline when once it is decayed; and if we, by negligence, suffer any diminution in what remains established, future ages will never be able to repair the breach. Let us not draw upon ourselves so foul a reproach; but let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we have received from our forefathers." St. Peter Damian fought simony with great vigor, and equally vigorously upheld clerical celibacy; and as he supported a severely ascetical, semi-eremitical life for monks, so he was an encourager of common life for the secular clergy. He was a man of great vehemence in all he said and did; it has been said of him that "his genius was to exhort and impel to the heroic, to praise striking achievements and to record edifying examples...an extraordinary force burns in all that he wrote".  In spite of his severity, St. Peter Damian could treat penitents with mildness and indulgence where charity and prudence required it. Henry IV, the young king of Germany, had married Bertha, daughter of Otto, Marquee of the Marches of Italy, but two years later he sought a divorce under the pretense that the marriage had never been consummated. By promises and threats he won over the archbishop of Mainz, who summoned a council for the purpose of sanctioning the annulment of the marriage; but Pope Alexander II forbade him to consent to such an injustice and chose Peter Damian as his legate to preside over the synod. The aged legate met the king and bishops at Frankfurt, laid before them the order and instructions of the Holy See, and entreated the king to pay due regard to the law of God, the Canons of the Church and his own reputation, and also to reflect seriously on the public scandal which so pernicious an example would give. The nobles likewise entreated the monarch not to stain his honor by conduct so unworthy. Henry, unable to resist this strong opposition, dropped his project of a divorce, but remained the same at heart, only hating the queen more bitterly than ever. Peter hastened back to his desert of Fonte Avellana. Whatever austerities he prescribed for others, he practiced himself, remitting none of them even in his old age. He use to make wooden spoons and other little useful things that his hands might not be idle during the time he was not at work or at prayer. When Henry, Archbishop of Ravenna, had been excommunicated for grievous enormities, Peter was again sent by Alexander II as legate to settle the troubles. Upon his arrival at Ravenna he found that the prelate had just died, but he brought the accomplices of his crimes to a sense of their guilt and imposed on them suitable penance. This was Damian's last undertaking for the Church. As he was returning towards Rome he was arrested by an acute attack of fever in a monastery outside Faenza, and died on the eighth day of this illness, while the monks were reciting Matins round about him, on February 22, 1072. St. Peter was one of the chief forerunners of the Hildebrandine reform in the Church. His preaching was most eloquent and his writing voluminous, and he was declared a doctor of the Church in 1828. His feast day is February 21st

Deacons go where the Church often does not; and please end the death penalty

Deacons witness execution of Catholic inmate Warren Hill

By NICHOLE GOLDEN, Staff Writer | Published February 19, 2015

 

ATLANTA—The State of Georgia executed Warren Lee Hill, who had received the sacraments of the Catholic Church while on death row, the evening of Jan. 27.
Hill, sentenced to death for the 1991 murder of a fellow inmate, died by lethal injection. The U.S. Supreme Court denied his application for a stay of execution earlier that day.
Hill’s original prison sentence was a life term for the killing of his girlfriend.
In the years leading up to the execution, Hill had been granted reprieves from execution as attorneys representing him challenged Georgia’s Lethal Injections Secrecy Act and also brought forward evaluations that Hill’s sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment due to mental retardation.
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the death penalty cannot be applied if an inmate is mentally retarded, but left it to each state to determine how that standard is met. Georgia has the highest such standard to meet of any state.

Three men executed in Georgia since December, woman may be executed in February

Hill’s death was the latest of three executions at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson since December.
Robert Wayne Holsey was executed Dec. 9, 2014, and Andrew Brannan on Jan. 13.
Deacon Richard Tolcher, head of the archdiocesan prison ministry, had provided spiritual ministry to all three men.
Deacon Tolcher baptized Hill on Feb. 14, 2013, the culmination of their meeting regularly since the fall of 2012. The deacon taught him about prayer, sacraments and the Catholic faith. The late Father Austin Fogarty, who regularly celebrated Mass at the prison, gave Hill his first Communion the same day and then confirmed him with the permission of Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory.
“Archbishop Gregory heard his confession about a month ago,” said Deacon Tolcher.
Hill asked Deacon Norm Keller and Deacon Tolcher to witness his execution. Although Hill declined offering any last words, he did want a prayer said.
Throughout the evening of the execution, Deacon Tolcher kept Archbishop Gregory and Bishop David Talley apprised of developments. Bishop Talley celebrates Mass for death row inmates each month.
Deacon Tolcher had also been meeting with Brannan, convicted of killing a police officer, in his final days. Brannan asked the deacon to witness his death and called his name out as he was dying.
“All of them sought and begged for forgiveness from the victims’ families. None of them said, ‘I didn’t do it,’” said Deacon Tolcher. “Each of them faced their execution in full confidence of their faith.”
The deacon said his goal was to “let them know that God loved them” and that they were “valuable human beings with human dignity.”
When present at an execution, witnesses sit behind a glass window at the feet of the inmate. The prisoner’s arms are extended outward and strapped down, and the upper body is elevated slightly.
The experience reminded Deacon Tolcher of the crucifixion.
Deacon Tolcher said jailhouse conversions are often ridiculed by the public or make prisoners seem weak in the eyes of other inmates.
“I’ll take any kind of conversion,” he said.

Eight inmates on death row participate in weekly Mass

At the Jackson facility, eight inmates, seven of them Catholic, regularly attend Mass, held each Thursday. Priests celebrating Mass include Father John Adamski and Father Richard Tibbetts.
The inmates are often worried about their family members, and Deacon Tolcher said they pray regularly for them and for the loved ones of victims. In a sense, family members are additional victims of violence, he said.
There have been 57 men executed in Georgia since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1973. Georgia’s only female on death row, Kelly Gissendaner, is set to be executed Feb. 25 for planning and convincing her boyfriend to murder her husband. She is imprisoned at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto.
Recently, Deacon Tolcher offered to meet with two more death row inmates as a spiritual director.
The deacon is often asked how he can manage the emotional weight of prison ministry, particularly working with those on death row.
“How can I not do that?” he answered.

Pope Francis says make your fast real

Pope's Morning Homily: Lenten Fast Must Be Real and Not Formal

Says Fasting Must Come From the Heart During Mass at Casa Santa Marta

    

Rome, February 20, 2015 (Zenit.org) Junno Arocho Esteves | 4 hits

To fast during Lent is not just an external observance, "rather it is a fast that comes from the heart." This was the reflection offered by Pope Francis during his morning homily at Casa Santa Marta.

 

According to Vatican Radio, the Holy Father began by speaking on today's first reading, in which the prophet Isaiah, conveying a message from God, questions the manner of fasting.
"Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bows his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes?" the prophet asks.
"This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own."
Reflecting on these words, the Pope stressed the need to distinguish between a "formal and a real" fast. For this reason, he explained, "Jesus condemned the Pharisees for making so many exterior observances, but without the truth of the heart."
The true fasting mentioned in the first reading, he continued, is what truly "comes from the heart" that fulfills the commandment of love towards God and neighbor.
"They are united: the love of God and the love of neighbor are united and if you want to do penance, real and not formal, you must do it in front of God and also with your brother, your neighbor," he said.
The Pope also stressed the importance of living this true fast in one's daily life, especially with employees and family members.
"How many, how many men and women of faith, have faith yet divide the tablets of the law: 'Yes, yes I do this' – "But do you give alms?' – Yes, yes, I always send a check to the Church' – Ah, well, that's good," he said.
"But to the Church, your home, with those who depend on you – be it children, grandparents, those who are dependents – are you generous, are you just?' You cannot make an offering to the Church on the shoulders of the injustice that you do to your dependents. This is a grave sin: it is using God to cover injustice."
The 78 year old Pontiff went on to say that the Lenten season encompasses this love for both God and neighbor and not just the physical act of fasting. "It isn't only about not eating meat on Fridays, to do some little thing and then make selfishness grow, the exploitation of others, and the ignorance of the poor," he said.
Concluding his homily, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that lent is a time to think about others, especially those who are forgotten. "In this Lent," he asked, "is there a place in your heart for those who have not fulfilled the commandments? Who made a mistake and are in prison."
"Do those imprisoned have a place [in your heart]?" he continued. "Do you pray for them, so that the Lord help them to change their life?' Accompany, Lord, on our Lenten path so that the exterior observance corresponds to a profound renewal in Spirit."

Fatima's youngest visionary; beatified by St. Pope JPII

 

Bl. Jacinta Marto

 

Facts

Feastday: February 20
Patron of bodily ills; captives; people ridiculed for their piety; prisoners; sick people; against sickness
Birth: 1910
Death: 1920
Beatified By: May 13, 2000, Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, Fatima, Portugal, by Pope John Paul II

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Francisco Marto (June 11, 1908 � April 4, 1919) and his sister Jacinta Marto (March 11, 1910 � February 20, 1920), also known as Blessed Francisco Marto and Blessed Jacinta Marto, together with their cousin, Lucia dos Santos (1907�2005) were the children from Aljustrel near Fatima, Portugal, who said they witnessed three apparitions of an angel in 1916 and several apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1917. Their reported visions of Our Lady of Fatima proved politically controversial, and gave rise to a major centre of world Christian pilgrimage.
The youngest children of Manuel and Olimpia Marto, Francisco and Jacinta were typical of Portuguese village children of that time. They were illiterate but had a rich oral tradition on which to rely, and they worked with their cousin Lucia, taking care of the family's sheep. According to Lucia's memoirs, Francisco had a placid disposition, was somewhat musically inclined, and liked to be by himself to think. Jacinta was affectionate if a bit spoiled, and emotionally labile. She had a sweet singing voice and a gift for dancing. All three children gave up music and dancing after the visions began, believing that these and other recreational activities led to occasions of sin.
Following their experiences, their fundamental personalities remained the same. Francisco preferred to pray alone, as he said "to console Jesus for the sins of the world". Jacinta was deeply affected by a terrifying vision of Hell reportedly shown to the children at the third apparition. She became deeply convinced of the need to save sinners through penance and sacrifice as the Virgin had reportedly instructed the children to do. All three children, but particularly Francisco and Jacinta, practiced stringent self-mortifications to this end.

For Lent, let's remember and practice the corporal works of mercy

What are the Corporal Works of Mercy?

The word “corporal” means “of or belonging to the body,” and so the corporal works of mercy refer to acts of mercy that relate to the physical, to bodily needs. Many of the corporal works of mercy were referenced directly by Christ in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25:31-46:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. . . Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40)

The seventh corporal work of mercy, burying the dead, is referenced more than once in Tobit.

The 7 Corporal Works of Mercy

1. To feed the hungry.
2. To give drink to the thirsty.
3. To clothe the naked.
4. To shelter the homeless.
5. To visit the imprisoned.
6. To visit the sick.
7. To bury the dead.

A week to remember

I had no idea what I was getting into this week on vacation.  As most of you know since the arrival of #1 grandson my vacations are almost always to North Carolina for a week of fun and frivolity with Calvin.  This year my family asked us to be available for Mardi Gras week.  The reason for this special request was a chance to go skiing; not me of course, but my son, daughter-in-law and even Calvin on the little bunny slope.  Joining us in the mountains of western North Carolina would be the family of Jimmy's life-long best friend.  My son Jimmy had been a classmate of Gary's since early elementary school and they stayed attached at the hip all through high school, then college, as roommates and staying close even after the big move to North Carolina.  In fact Gary was the best man in my son's wedding!

So after we arrived in Greensboro, we immediately noticed that the weather was dramatically changing.  Just like last year, our Mardi Gras adventure to visit the family turned into winter wonderland.  Last year we were hit with a late winter snow/ice storm but it passed in just a day or so.  This year we watched the snow fall on Monday and we were all concerned that our three hour drive west to the mountains would be in jeopardy.  My son decided we would take his older truck because it has four wheel drive so off we went.  We saw the effects/impact of a long hard snow that blanketed the mountains but the roads were clear.  Not to we arrived at the mountain side lane our rental house was located on did Jimmy utilize the four wheel drive. 



Wednesday brought all day snow, rough winds and bitter cold.  In fact, we have not seen 32 degrees or higher since Monday.  Both families made it to the ski resort for a couple of hours yesterday while I hung out at the "cabin".  Can I tell you the scenery is beautiful.  Everything and I mean everything is blanketed in white.  The mountains look more majestic than ever.  The trees blowing in the wind testify to the power of this winter storm.  And today by far has been the coldest day I have experienced in my entire life, -7 real temps and -32 wind chill. 

Why is this a week to remember?  Just being around family and long time friends in a cabin, sharing memories and stories and lots of laughter.  Our #1 grandson has had a blast playing with his new  friends and experiencing what he calls "his adventure".  He has played in the snow, went skiing with mommy and made smores last night in the fireplace.  The food that has been brought here to prepare and serve is incredible.  I had to remind myself that yesterday was indeed the first day of Lent.  Due to the weather conditions and the fact that I had no car I did miss Ash Wednesday services but we had a little time to reflect and pray.  My son's friends family are devout Catholics.  We sure did not suffer but we made sure that there would be no meat Wednesday; enjoying tuna fish sandwiches for lunch and delicious seafood gumbo for dinner.  Last night, with the fire place roaring and the children enjoying smores, we marveled at the wind, estimated in gusts at 50 mph.

So it has indeed been a week to remember.  This may be the largest snow event in my life and is certainly the coldest temperatures.  But it has been warm with my family and good friends with me and great memories shared and new memories made!