NOTE: This post is reblogged from last year and edited with some additions. Last year’s post was also a ‘reblog’ and edited from the prior version.) Coming up on August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. It is also the beginning of a Franciscan devotion known as “St. Michael’s Lent.” It …
The Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center recommends in A Lenten Journey with Venerable Matt Talbot that: “In addition to any planned Lenten reading, we also recommend reading Matt Talbot – A Lenten Journey (2014), a resource compiled by Fr. Brian Lawless,Vice-Postulator for the cause of Venerable Matt Talbot, and Caroline Eaton.” It can be read …
I’m all prepared for Lent. I’ve been to Confession twice in the past ten days; by no means am I bragging, (who does regarding Confession?) but when I went ten days ago it was the first time I had been in two months. That was the longest Confession-less streak since I sobered up and reverted …
Yesterday was Septuagesima Sunday according to the Liturgical calendar for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (The so-called “Tridentine Rite,” or “Latin Mass” people.) Septuagesima is a distinct Liturgical season in the Church, observed everywhere within it prior to 1970. It is essentially a time of preparation for Lent. The Church considers Lent such …
Continue reading ‘Septuagesima Season: Lenten preparation’ »
Last September I mentioned the traditional liturgical practice of Ember Days. This week marks the series of days for Advent. They fall today, December 19th and this Friday and Saturday, December 21st and 22nd. From the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent: “Ember days (corruption from Lat. Quatuor Tempora, four times) are the days at the …
(Reblogged from last year and substantially edited.) Coming up on August 15th is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady. It is also the beginning of a Franciscan devotion known as “St. Michael’s Lent.” It is a 40-day period of fasting begun by St. Francis of Assisi in the 1220’s similar in practice to …
“Say what? What’s Paulcoholic mean, ‘Another chance to celebrate Lent!’ Doesn’t he know it’s August?” Of course, I know! But Time is open to interpretation. For a number of years I have introduced to my blog readers something I discovered (I forgot the source) a few years before I started Sober Catholic in 2007; that …
One of my favorite passages in Scripture popped up today in the First Reading for the Mass for Monday of Holy Week: Isaiah 42:3 “The bruised reed he will not break, and the smoldering wick he will not extinguish.” Courtesy: Sacred Bible: Catholic Public Domain Version We alcoholics are bruised reeds, and remain so long …
During the Gospel reading for today’s Mass for Palm Sunday, we hear large, emotional crowds calling for Jesus to be crucified, as well as their preference for another to be released in His place. “Crucify him! Crucify him!!” the crowd shouts. “We want Barabbas,” they had screamed before. Barabbas was a criminal, an insurrectionist by …
Lent is obviously a popular time for going to Confession. What with all the penitential acts going on, NOT going would be odd. Most parishes have penance services where the sacrament is offered at a time when it usually isn’t, to enable and encourage people to go. There are two great examination of consciences you …