World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
One of our grandsons is preparing for First Communion and recently practiced for first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With just a little humor, I asked his parent if the young one had been “repentant” during the practice. I was told that it was “just practice.” I wonder what a seven-year-old understands by repentance and reconciliation. At seven, we all knew what it was to hurt, feel guilt, be alone, or wish we hadn’t done or said something. We understood the need for healing and to have friendship restored.
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Learn more about our faith | Seasonal Reflections
Moses' message to the Israelites and us reaches a decision point when he says, "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse….choose life." What led up to that dichotomous choice was the promise that if the Israelites obeyed God's commandments and walked with God lovingly, they would prosper, as would their future generations.
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Love thy Neighbor | Seasonal Reflections
I don’t remember the last time that Valentine’s Day fell on Ash Wednesday, but when you think about it, both have to do with matters of the heart. Valentine’s Day is known for the romantic type of love with its gifts, flowers, and dinners, all of which somehow cost more right before and on February 14th! Still, it is a reminder that God has made us man and woman, each in His image, to come together in marriage and to share the love of God as husband and wife.
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Ash Wednesday | Lent activities | family prayer
Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR, discusses the meaning of Ash Wednesday, the practice of fasting, and how our Lenten practices are intended to lead us to the resurrection—Jesus’s resurrection and our own. We pray, fast, and mark our foreheads with ashes because we are made for heaven.
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Learn more about our faith | Lenten practices | family prayer
This week, we begin Lent with Ash Wednesday. A week or two ago, I was speaking with someone who was saying, “I’m not ready for Lent…”. Winter is dragging on, I’m ready for spring, and now we have this season of penance. But I encouraged them to make Lent their favorite season — lean into it — ask God for a love for Lent.
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Sisters and Brothers, today we gather to celebrate the Eucharist and commemorate the 150th anniversary of Blessed Basil Moreau's journey into eternal life. We stand in this chapel, a silent witness to our hopes and struggles, a reminder that faith and perseverance are intertwined, especially when doubt lingers, and challenges loom large.
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