lent

A religious icon depicting Moses holding stone tablets with text in an ancient script and a burning bush, featuring gold background. Text reads: "АЗЪ ЕСМЬ СУЩИЙ МОИСЕЙ" and "МОНЕЙ"."

Lent Preparation: Earn an eternal merit badge this year

I’ve written before on the notion of lent being a time to fast and on the power of fasting to cast demons away. Today, people have totally shifted their concept and consider a fast “too much.”  Those who say that have that luxury only today because the Church has mitigated the impact of the second law. Consider…

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A screenshot of a Catholic website with text from the Gospel of Mark 9:14-29. The text discusses Jesus healing a boy possessed by an evil spirit, with the question "WHERE'S THE FASTING??" highlighted in red. The background includes a map and website elements, with green and white colors prominent."

Do the American Bishops hate fasting?

I was shell shocked today by an omission I can hardly believe. At Mass, I heard the Gospel about the possessed boy out of whom the Apostles could not drive the demon. We all know the tale:  Our Lord drives the demon out, and the Apostles ask, “Why could we not drive out the demon?”  And Our…

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Icon depicting Saint Mary of Egypt in a desert landscape, surrounded by monks and religious figures. She is central with a halo, wearing a robe. Text at top reads 'Saint Mary of Egypt' in Cyrillic script."

You should read this: The Life of St. Mary of Egypt

The Story of Saint Mary of Egypt and Father Zosimas is a perennially rich source of grace for lent. Enjoy reading this with your family this week.

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A serene Jesus in a pink robe and white cloak raises his hand in blessing, standing beside a kneeling, muscular angel with brown wings. The scene is set against a blue sky, evoking Catholic themes of divine blessing and devotion.

The Lord of All to the Emperor of Sand and Dust–“You WILL let my people go.”

Ed. Note. The Bellarmine Forum is pleased to present the Homily of Fr. John Paul Erickson, Director of Worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and priest of the Church of Saint Agnes. This homily was delivered on Quadragesima Sunday (The First Sunday of Lent, 2013) at the Church of Saint Agnes. Father…

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Icon of Jesus Tempted in the Desert

Of Lent Past, when Fasts Meant Fast, see what we’ve lost

From time to time I think there’s merit to re-evaluate where we are today against practices of the past. To comb the deposit of faith for gems that can illumine why we do things. Now that pre-lent is nearly gone, and we enter lent proper, I’m posting some passages about lent published in 1890 for your edification….

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