The pope preached on the day’s first reading, taken from the prophet Isaiah, which condemned the false ways the faithful were fasting on a day of penance and the ways that are “acceptable to the Lord.”
Fasting during Lent includes sharing, treating others kindly, pope says
Lent is time to notice God’s work, receive God’s mercy, pope says
Pope Francis said Feb. 14 at Ash Wednesday Mass
Lent: Giving up, doing extra, or both, aren’t one size fits all
People often talk about giving up something for Lent such as candy, soda or more recently, social media, while some commit to doing something extra including praying more, reading spiritual works or helping others and many do both.
Festival of Forgiveness strives to open hearts to healing
For the third consecutive year, the Diocese of St. Cloud will celebrate a “Festival of Forgiveness” at various locations across the diocese giving thousands of people the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
Lent: A good time to hit our spiritual ‘reset’ button
The 40 days of Lent are a time for us to refocus on “getting right” with God and others, and to convert our hearts and minds to better reflect the love of Christ.
Ash Wednesday: A point of re-entry?
Unlike Christmas, Easter and every Sunday of the year, Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation. Maybe that’s part of the draw for some people, who fill their parish churches for Ash Wednesday liturgies as they rarely do at any other time.
2018 Rice Bowl: ‘Who is my neighbor?’ Called to be companions on the journey
This year’s Rice Bowl program has taken on a special theme, following the two-year “Share the Journey” campaign kicked off by Pope Francis last September. As part of this ongoing effort of the universal church, Rice Bowl, too, is focusing on ways in which we share the journey of those in need, particularly migrants and refugees.
Psalm 51: A ‘theme song’ for Lent
Each of us is called to be a companion and helper for others on the way to repentance. The ashes that we receive on Ash Wednesday mark us as fellow travelers to Easter glory.