Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 8

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Paul

Day 8 (Wednesday)

The Burial of Jesus

And so Jesus is buried. If we keep with the theme of death being the extinguishing of the old self, then the burial in symbolic of the consigning to the past (God’s Mercy) that old self. Have you let go of that self? Are you still clinging to aspects of that life? Time fpr another Step 4 if you’re still “working the Steps” or another thorough examination of conscience. lent is winding down, now is the time when many parishes have Penance services. Make use of one, there are often many more priests available than during your typical weekend, plus you get to talk to a priest you might not know (not important, but if it relieves your stress and anxiety…)

Soon, a new journey will begin.

BurialofChrist CarlBloch.

Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share thy grief divine;
Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of that dying Son of thine.
(Stabat Mater)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will

Posted on March 25, 2026 by Paul

The refrain from the Responsorial Psalm for the Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is adapted from Psalm 40:8-9

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Courtesy: USCCB

If you are reading this blog, then I am assuming you have some degree of sobriety behind you. What have you done with it? If you are doing your best to lead a normal life, being a responsible family person (husband, father, wife, mother, sibling) or citizen (gainfully employed and such like) then that is great! But you can do more. if you are specifically reading this blog because you are Catholic, then perhaps you are seeking “what to do” about your Catholcism. It’s OK to “just be responsible.” Most people aren’t. But you can do so much more. God may be calling you to be a Christ-bearer to others, just like Mary!

Botticelli, annunciazione di cestello 02.

Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Pray to the Holy Spirit for discernment in how to do that. If you need help, there’s my book, Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics.

Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics is a call to arms, or rather, a call to pens, paintbrushes, and video cameras, for creative Catholics to take up St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe’s call to infiltrate pop culture and help alleviate the ills that pervade contemporary society. St. Maximilian saw back in the 1920s how the use of cinema, radio, and mass-market books was corrupting society. He thought that those same tools could be used as a countercultural force to overcome this corruption.

Furthermore, it explains through the example of three critical apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima how she herself suggested strategies and alternatives to the dehumanizing and increasingly pagan contemporary culture we have today.

Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics concludes by showing how the Catholic Faith can be used to provide a road map out of our current morass and a blueprint to build a more just and fair society constructed according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and other elements of traditional Catholic Social Teachings.

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Oscar Romero, patron saint of Mental Health and Anxiety

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Paul

Late tonight a friend shared this on What’sApp about St. Oscar Romero, whose feast day is today, March 24th. He is regarded as a patron saint of Mental Health and Anxiety! (Zoinks, do I need him nowadays!)

I was unaware of this patronage, and I’ll look up more things on him to post later. If I’m still blogging next year I’ll remind you in the days leading up (perhaps I can find a novena.) (For those who think St. Dymphna is the patrom of mental health disorders, there can be multiple patrons of a particular thing; I’ve blogged quite a lot on this or that saint, blessed or venerable and how they’re a patron of alcoholism or addictions.

For starters, here’s a link to an article (itself having more links) on his relationship with OCD and scrupulosity.

From that link:

St. Oscar Romero (1917-1980 El Salvador) struggled with scrupulosity his whole life, but when he was 49 a psychiatrist diagnosed him with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Already a priest, Romero had the humility to undergo psychoanalysis and seek counseling at a time when mental illness was spoken of only in hushed voices.

He continued to deal with his OCD throughout his life, including during his work as archbishop fighting for the rights of the oppressed, for which he was ultimately killed.

Here’s a Vatican biography on him: ST. OSCAR ROMERO, MARTYR

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

From his misery he raises the poor

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Paul

The excerpt from the Psalmody for Evening Prayer I for the Solemnity of the Annunciation on the Tuesday in the 5th week of Lent (that’s a mouthful) is from Psalm 113:7.

From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from his misery he raises the poor.

Courtesy: Divine Office.org

As alcoholics and addicts we were shunned and cast off towrds the margins of decent society. And rightfully so, for our actions caused this. Nevertheless, God loves each and everyone of us as we are, even in the depths of our sins. He made us, how can it be otherwise? We all have equal dignity in His eyes regardless of our worldly status. So, when He sees us deep in our addiction, He is at the ready to help. Sometimes He waits for us to reach out to Him, and at other times He doesn’t wait.

Just as Mary said “Yes,” to when the Archangel Gabriel announced to her that the Holy Spirit desriref to overshadow her so as the Second Person of the trinity could manifest Himself in her and redeem the world, you can say “Yes” to Him and become another Christ-bearer to others.

The annunciation 1667.jpg!Large.

And He is not frightening, either. This is why He came to the world as an infant. God, the Creator of All, King of the Universe (and Multiverse, if that exists) entered intto human existence as a baby. He humbled umself that much just so as to be approachable. If it helps you to approach God in thaty manner, that is, regarding Him as an infant, that is perfectly acceptable! There is a old, venerable Catholic devotion known as the Devotion to the Infant Jesus (usually involving the “Infant Jesus of Prague.”)

BY THE WAY: THIS ISN’T A DEVOTION FOR WOMEN, ONLY! Although it appears that women would be more attracted to this, it is a great way for men to learn humility.

These websites have detailed information on the devotion to the Infant Jesus.

The Story of the Infant Jesus of Prague

Infant Jesus of Prague History & Devotion

Infant Jesus of Prague Novenas, Chaplet & Devotions

Prayers and Devotions to the Divine Infant Jesus of Prague

The Infant Jesus of Prague (EWTN!) Mother Angelica had a huge devotion to the Infant Jesus! See:

“Build Me a Temple”: Mother Angelica’s Mystical Visions of the Divine Child Jesus,

Mother Angelica describes her vision of the Divine Child Jesus,

and finally: Divino Niño Day

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 7

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Paul

Day 7 (Tuesday)

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross

He is dead. He, through whom all things were created; the King of Heaven and Earth, is now dead. His body hangs lifeless upon the gibbet He was crucified on to atone for the sin of Adam and Eve and all those who inherited their legacy.

His friends raise up a ladder up to reach Him and remove the nails which have pierced His hands and feet. They gently bring Him down and lay Him in the arms of His Sorrowful Mother. She gently holds Him, weeping over the brutality visited upon His body: the wounds, gashes, blood, and sweat still present. Pietà - Hallwylska museet - 107520.
Mary was also sorrowful unto death. Sorrowful for our sins which did this to her Son. She grieved a deeper grief than anyone before or since has felt. In her sinless nature, preserved from committing the least fault because God redeemed her at her conception, and preserved her from sin so she could be the tabernacle of the Lord, she felt the pain of our sins ever more profoundly (given that she never felt the pain of anything she, herself, had done.) The pain she felt all her life, the seven swords of sorrow that pierced her heart, was all due to other’s rejection of Jesus. Think about this as you continue your life’s journey. Especially during this Lenten season as we use this period to remove our character defects and grow closer to the Lord: Mary is there to help you. She points the way to Jesus and she will help you remove from your actions the things that cause Him offense. For it is not just jesus that is sorrowful for your sins, but Momma Mary, too.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
Mourning Him who mourn’d for me,
All the days that I may live:
By the Cross with thee to stay;
There with thee to weep and pray;
Is all I ask of thee to give.
(Stabat Mater)

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Paul

The excerpt from the Responsorial Psalm for the Mass of Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent is from Psalm 102:2-3.

O LORD, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you.

Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress.

Incline your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily.

COURTESY: USCCB

This is similar to the lesson for Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. The day of your distress could have been any day during your active addiction; or it could have been your last, that day when you finally cried out to the Lord for help. It may not have been a literal prayer to God, but just a scream from the depths of your soul. Nevertheless, he did not hide His face from you but answered you. And now you are clean and sober (or soon to be.) Keep on the path, pray every day so that he hears your daily cries for help, or words of gratitide and praise. God is your partner in this and He leads you along the Way.

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 6

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Paul

Day 6 (Monday)

The Piercing of the Side of Christ

Typically, the Sixth Sorrow in the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows is “Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross,” but seven mysteries leave two open ones for a nine day novena. So, Jesus being removed from the Cross and placed into the arms of His Mother is tomorrow’s post.

What happened when St. Longinus threw the spear that pierced the side of Jesus? Blood and water flowed out. Blood, symbolizing the Eucharist, and Water, symbolizing Baptism. This has been the Church’s understanding since the beginning, and this has especially been emphasized in the Divine Mercy image.

Kazimirowski Eugeniusz, Divine Mercy, 1934.

Attribution: By Eugeniusz Kazimirowski – cisza2.krakow.dominikanie.pl, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9049047

Blood and Water, the Eucharist and Baptism, are the life of souls. Without Baptism, we are not members of the Mystical Body of Christ and will never be admitted into the Beatific Vision after our death. The Eucharist is Bread for the Journey, the waybread that strengthens us as we Trudge our Road of Happy Destiny.

What must have gone through Mary’s heart and soul as she witnessed this additional indignity committed against her Son? Seeing Him lifeless upon the gibbet of the Cross, bearing the wounds of the scourging and the Cross itself; and now this! His Sacred Heart was opened unto us when He perished on the Cross, and the Sacraments were empowered by His Death and the piercing of His side. And with all this:, now her Sorrowful Heart and His Sacred Heart are united in pain and suffering. Her Sorrowful Heart is united with the Heart that beats with a pure, absolute love for Humanity. What a wonderful component to add to our Sacred Heart devotion: Mary’s sorrow added to our reparative work for our’s and other’s sins.

Now ponder the next verse in the Stabat Mater:

Holy Mother! pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified:
Let me share with thee His pain,
Who for all my sins was slain,
Who for me in torments died.

(Stabat Mater)

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

From hidden faults acquit me

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Paul

The excerpt from the Daytime Prayer for the Liturgy of the Hours for Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent comes from Psalm 19:13.

But who can detect all his errors? From hidden faults acquit me.

Courtesy: Divine Office.org

This passage gives me comfort for when I go to Confession. I typically say at the end of the recitation of my sins and their number: “…for these and all my sins, I am truly sorry.” To me, this includes any that I have forgotten. I am tempted to say the Psalm passage during my next Confession.

We all sin, and despite our best efforts during our examination of conscience to recall all of our transgressions, we may miss a few. But we should avoid becoming scruplulous. If we honestly missed a few due to faulty memory and have not deliberately withheld any, we can just honestly say during Confession something like the above; either “…for these and all my sins, I am truly sorry;” or “But who can detect all his/her errors? From hidden faults acquit me.”

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 5

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Paul

Day 5 (Sunday – Passion Sunday**)

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

The Crucifixion of the old self was wrought through pain and suffering; you tried to cling to the old crutches of alcohol or drugs to get you through life’s difficulties, but you know they are to be spurned. The new methodsare of facing life directly instead of running away, taking personal responsibility instead of avoiding it, relying on God instead of your own mighty self-will; these are hard and the learning curve seems endless. But, the old self has died and a new one will soon be arising.

What have you done with your new life? How does it compare to the old?

Cristo crucificado.jpg.

**According to the pre-1970 Roman Calendar. Otherwise, it is the Fifth Sunday of Lent.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
Make my heart with thine accord:
Make me feel as thou hast felt;
Make my soul to glow and meltWith the love of Christ my Lord.

(Stabat Mater)

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

I will open your graves

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Paul

The excerpt from the First Reading for the Fifth Sunday of Lent is taken from Ezekiel 37:12 (I bet you thought I was gonna do the Gospel ‘cos it was on the rising of Lazarus. Gotcha!)

Thus says the Lord GOD:
O my people, I will open your graves
and have you rise from them,
and bring you back to the land of Israel.

Courtesy: USCCB

“Graves” is a synonym for “being dead in your addction.” Your true self was dead; the person you were supposed to be was dead. God, however, by whatever means He used to bring you back from the dead and into your new life of sobriety, opened that grave and bid you to rise up from out of it. And furthermore, if you are a sober Catholic who returned to the Church/or converted because of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit within you was to seek out the Church, then you have been brought back to the ‘land of Israel,’ that is, the Mystical Body of Christ as the new Israel (the old one having rejected Christ as the Messiah.)

Now that you are dwelling in the Land of Israel, that is, the Catholic Church, make use of milk and honey of the sacraments: especially the Eucharist and Confession. And bring others to that Land.

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

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Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 8

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Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will

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St. Oscar Romero, patron saint of Mental Health and Anxiety

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From his misery he raises the poor

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Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 7

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Hide not your face from me in the day of my distress

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Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 6

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From hidden faults acquit me

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Lenten Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows: Day 5

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I will open your graves

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