Lent and the purification of memory March 5, 2025By George Weigel Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, The Catholic Difference The annual 40-day pilgrimage through the desert of Lent, patterned on the Lord’s forty days in the Judaean wilderness in preparation for his public ministry, is the preeminent moment in the Church’s year of grace for the purification of memory — especially our memories of the successes and failures of living missionary discipleship since Pentecost 2024 closed last year’s season of paschal celebration.
Take up your cross March 5, 2025By Scott P. Richert OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent The only aspect of Christianity that the modern world seems willing to accept is service to others — so long as we don’t mention that we’re serving Christ in them.
The aroma of Christ March 4, 2025By Archbishop William E. Lori Catholic Review Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary, Lent Those truly filled with Christ’s self-giving love cannot remain self-enclosed but instead are impelled to become a diffuser of his truth and love by how they live, what they say and by their love of others, especially those in need.
Hope in the cross: A Lenten experience March 4, 2025By Erin O'Leary OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent We deepen our relationship with Christ through our Lenten disciplines and look to his crucifixion, death and resurrection to overcome the darkness that can cause us to struggle and despair.
10 tips for a Christ-centered Lent March 4, 2025By Tom Hoopes OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent If we cooperate with baptismal grace, the sacrament guarantees that we can “participate in the divine life of the Trinity” first of all by receiving the theological virtues: faith, hope and love.
In Lenten reflection, bishops urge solidarity with ‘martyred people of Ukraine’ March 3, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, Lent, News, War in Ukraine, World News The U.S. bishops urged Catholics to answer Pope Francis’ call for prayer for the people of Ukraine in their Lenten reflection as that nation fends off Russia’s invasion.
Radio Interview: Lent and Fasting March 3, 2025By Catholic News Service Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Lent, Local News, News, Radio Interview Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with Deacon Greg Kandra of the Deacon’s Bench blog about his new book, “A Handy Little Guide to Fasting” from OSV Books. They discuss the essential practices of Lent for Catholics – prayer, fasting and almsgiving – and how to enhance your spiritual life in this penitential season.
Smile — it’s Lent! March 3, 2025By Bill Dodds OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent Lent isn’t just a time for repairing what you’ve failed to maintain. It can be a time for refurbishing, revising and revitalizing. For getting started on “You 2.0.”
5 pearls of saintly wisdom on kicking sin to the curb March 3, 2025By Bill Dodds OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Saints The lives of the saints are filled with examples of heroic virtue (faith, hope and love), but they weren’t born with it. And it was never just handed to them, no matter how they came to Christ.
Although pope is improving, he will not lead Ash Wednesday services February 28, 2025By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News While Pope Francis’ condition has continued to improve, the Vatican announced that he will not lead his traditional Ash Wednesday services in Rome March 5.
U.S. bishops’ Lenten message to those grieving an abortion: Jesus’ love is unconditional February 20, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, Lent, News, Respect Life, World News In sharing the U.S. bishops’ Lenten message this year, their pro-life chairman used it “to speak to all who carry the unbearable sadness and guilt of an abortion experience” and remind them that Jesus’ love knows no bounds.
Vatican publishes partial list of papal liturgical events during Lent February 12, 2025By Catholic News Service Catholic News Service Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican released a partial schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgical celebrations in March and early April, including a group Lenten retreat for the pope and top members of the Curia for the first time in five years.