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Grit: Family Reflection Video

Grit: Family Reflection Video

Seasonal Reflections

“It’s Ash Wednesday. It’s cold. It’s February, but Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the great season of Lent. It’s climbing a mountain from this point all the way to the mountaintop at Easter. In order to get there, what do you need … well, we need to fast, pray, give alms … and I would say, we need GRIT as well …”

Listen to Father Willy’s inspiring message to take a new, fresh look at what your Lenten journey can be.

For Lenten resources that will lift you up and call you to greater depths than you’ve experienced before, go to FamilyRosary.org. Join us and others around the globe as we explore being “At the Foot of the Cross” with our Blessed Mother.


  • Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded outside in the snow at the Father Peyton Center and played back during our Ash Wednesday Mass today. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 
  • To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EST, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)  

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.