Spirituality
Falling totally into God’s hands
Effie Caldarola likes to be in control, even during Lent, so she made goals and lists. But when laid up for a week with sickness, she had to surrender it all, on God's terms.
What do you ‘give up’ on meatless Fridays if you’re already a vegan?
Father Ken Doyle digs into this juicy question about sacrifices during Lent when not eating meat is no sacrifice at all. He also advises a digital worker about a truthfulness in business and in life.
The cross and divine mercy of Jesus
We know what the cross represents, but sometimes we can see it so often that we forget its meaning, writes Maria-Pia Negro Chin. It is a call to remember Christ's sacrifice and his loving mercy for each of us.
Fasting: It’s about more than food
Fasting from something is not an end in itself. Fasting points beyond itself. It focuses our attention on the reality of God's presence here and now. Learn more about the traditional Lenten practice in this series.
It’s Friday during Lent. What’s for dinner?
Fussy kids in Kelly Bothum's home make dinner a nightly debate, except during Lent when it's an easy choice: cheese pizza. But there are deeper lessons than meatless meals for kids to consider.
Going on a fast for atonement and preparation
Fasting has biblical roots from the early days of Israel. It was practiced by Jesus, picked up by the early Christians and is still practiced by Christians today, mostly during the season of Lent.
Why fasting is a paradox
Fasting is not a passive action for Christians, something simply to undergo or suffer through. It is meant to set the wheels of the mind and spirit into motion, and to reawaken us to the unresolved challenges in our lives.
Rite for reconciliation of individual penitents
If it has been some time since your last confession, you can return to the sacrament with confidence using this guide from the archdiocesan Office for Divine Worship.
As Lent begins, so does our walk in the interior desert
In the Philadelphia area, it's more mud than dusty desert, writes Matthew Gambino. But Ash Wednesday invites us to take a hard walk for 40 days with Jesus into our hearts. It's not easy, but we have helpful aids.
Leading off for Lent: Adam and Eve in the garden
Msgr. Joseph Prior unpacks the readings for the First Sunday of Lent. From the fall of man in the Book of Genesis to the temptation of Jesus in the desert, the Scriptures urge us to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness.