Year of Saint Joseph | February 20-21 2021 | 2nd Sunday of Lent | 75th Anniversary Year

How Lenten fasting helps us become more generous with others

Going without can teach us how to better love one another.

While fasting imposed in Judaism is mostly an ascetic discipline destined to mortify the body, Christians quickly attributed it a different significance. It has essentially been transformed into an act of repentance, conversion, and charity — moderating one’s own Eat-ing habits to feed the hungry.

It is something we continue to do today as throughout Lent people give to the needy.

There have always been those who wonder whether this demonstration of brotherly generosity is not more important than fasting recommended by the Church during Lent. After all, isn’t it what the Lord commands us to do? “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:15)

The benefits fasting offers to the body and the soul

Fasting, along with prayer and almsgiving, is one of the three endeavours that Jesus insistently recommends us to accomplish “in discretion” (Mtt. 6:1-18). This is why in the beginning of every Lenten period the Church always invites us to follow a resolution along those three lines. If you need encouragement to fast, think of its benefits.

Fasting unburdens the body and the mind: it allows us to get rid of bad fats, so you fall asleep faster and contributes to the clarity of mind, so you can read, and pray more easily. The hunger you feel will make you think of the millions around the world who never have enough on their plate. This may compel you to do something for them and consume responsibly. Instead of stuffing yourself with junk food, you can replace it with good sustenance, like the Word of God. When you fast to show love to the Lord, you may (like St Paul (2Co 5:5) come into possession of multiple virtues, for example, the conversion of sinners. “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Col. 1:24).

Although you should abstain from boasting about your “feats” in this domain, it’s worthwhile to work together to become more altruistic: for example as a family during Lent you may keep a similar fast or abstain from something together. (Keep in mind that children under 14, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people with health concerns are exempt from fasting.) You can lend your support to the kids so they have an easier time to go without dessert.

But you must also show more tolerance for all those who don’t see the importance of fasting or making sacrifices. It would be lamentable if a Christian observing a strict fast mocked or criticized his or her neighbour who is not doing the same.

Father Pierre Descouvemont
Edifa - published on 24/2/21

Year of Saint Joseph

February 13-14 2021 | 6h Sunday of Ordinary Time | 75th Anniversary Year

This Lent, take a 40-day virtual pilgrimage through the Holy Land

The "Pilgrimage in Faith" will take attendees through 40 Holy Land sites in 40 days.

A trio of Catholic groups has organized an extensive 40-day virtual Lenten pilgrimage through the Holy Land. The program, called “Pilgrimage in Faith,” begins on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and will culminate in an Easter Sunday reflection on the journey. The whole pilgrimage is free to attend, but virtual pilgrims must register for the event on the Magdala website.

CNA reports that this virtual pilgrimage comes thanks to the Pontifical Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, Terra Sancta Mexico, and Magdala. This is the second year that the three organizations have come together to hold a virtual pilgrimage. The previous incarnation was held in October 2020.

The 2021 “Pilgrimage in Faith” will draw together three aspects of the faith: The Creed, Lent, and the Holy Land. The Creed, referring to the Apostle’s Creed, is a meditation on what makes us Catholic.

From Magdala:

The Creed is who I am, my true essence, capturing the total dynamic of my life, divinely loved from creation, to death, to everlasting life in the communion of redeemed humanity, sharing in the everlasting infinite joy of the Trinity; this is a ‘Pilgrimage in Faith.’

Reflections and holy sites

With regard to Lent, the pilgrimage offers meditations on liturgical texts to guide pilgrims through a renewed “turning toward God” in trust. This, Magdala writes, is reflective of the same way God turns towards each of us with an outstretched hand. The “Pilgrimage in Faith” will offer meditations on the scriptures each day of Lent, to keep the faithful engaged throughout the solemn season.

Last but certainly not least is the Holy Land, the prime attraction of the “Pilgrimage in Faith.” The program will take attendees to various sites that “capture the revelation Abraham experienced” during his own travels in the promised land. Each day the virtual event will bring pilgrims to a different site of biblical relevance. The sites, they note, are chosen to illuminate the meditations on the Creed.

The “Pilgrimage in Faith” is set to be a fun, educational, and faith-entrenching journey that will last for the entirety of Lent. Those who take part in the journey will be treated to a soundtrack composed by the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi and the RC Music Collective. In addition, participants will all be entered into a raffle to be held on Easter Sunday, which will send several gifts to some participants.

The whole affair is set to kick off with two days of introductory videos on February 15, before the pilgrimage formally begins on Ash Wednesday.

To register: https://email.magdala.org/t/y-A8FB705AFC30D5E02540EF23F30FEDED 

J-P Mauro – Aleteia, 11/2/21

Year of Saint Joseph | February 6-7 2021 | 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time | 75th Anniversary Year

How St. John Bosco’s life was saved by a mysterious dog

As the saint walked home a dog would show up and frequently chase away criminals.

The work of St. John Bosco reforming young boys wasn’t highly regarded by many and in fact, Bosco’s life was openly threatened on multiple occasions.

To protect Bosco, God sent to him a dog to keep him company on his lonely walks home.

This is narrated in the 19th-century book Life of Don Bosco.

One night returning home later than usual and feeling vague apprehension [Bosco] saw a dog approach and felt alarmed, but the animal gently wagged his tail and turning, walked beside Don Bosco, who caressed him. All fear vanished. The dog escorted Don Bosco to the Oratory but refused to enter. Whenever he was late in coming home, on one side “il Grigio,” the grey [dog], appeared.

The dog not only accompanied Bosco, but also chased away criminals who tried to kill Bosco.

On [one] occasion Grigio defended Don Bosco from a formidable band of paid assassins. When at midnight passing through the Place Milan…he observed a man follow, armed with a large cudgel and hastened with the hope of reaching the Oratory safely. He was already at the top of the declivity when lower down he saw a group of men, then he waited for the one behind, whom he threw down. His comrades surrounded Don Bosco with raised sticks, the faithful Grigio appeared, beside his protégé, snarling and springing about in such fury that the wretches terrified besought Don Bosco to quiet the dog and vanished in the darkness. Don Bosco’s faithful four-footed guardian escorted him to the door of the Oratory.

This happened on multiple occasions, but the mysterious dog never stayed long at the Oratory, only appearing when Bosco needed him.

Where the dog came from remains a mystery, and some believe it may have been Bosco’s guardian angel in disguise.

Philip Kosloski, Aleteia, 31/1/21

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Pope establishes World Day of Grandparent and Elderly

After praying the midday Angelus on January 31, Pope Francis announced that he is establishing a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

This day will be celebrated throughout the Church every year on the fourth Sunday in July, he said This date places it close to the July 26 feast of Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary, and thus the grandparents of Jesus.

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