Family Reflection Video: Ash Wednesday - Set the World on Fire

By: Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C. on March 2nd, 2017

Family Reflection Video: Ash Wednesday - Set the World on Fire

We are reminded year after year on Ash Wednesday. We were created from dust and upon our death, we will return to dust. But what about in between?

The great St. Catherine of Siena once said, “If you become what you were meant to be, you will set the world on fire.” What are we meant to be? The answer is the same for all of us. Saints!

Our ashes proclaim to the world we have work to do – to fulfill our great potential in the eyes of God, and set the world on fire!

At our baptism, a fire was entrusted to us to be kept burning brightly. Now is a good time to ask ourselves and our family members what became of that light. How is it doing today? Is it burning brightly or do you feel you need to rekindle the spark?

I pray you and your family will grow closer to God and to each other during this Lenten season. Blessings to all!

For additional reading: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

About Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.