Catholic Extension is encouraging young filmmakers to celebrate an "Extension Day" of their own choosing and to film the encounters as part of a video contest sponsored by Catholic Extension. The contest is called "Make Some Noise!" and will award multiple prizes of up to $1,000 for the ministry of the winner's choice and the opportunity to have the winning videos seen by Pope Francis. Extension Day is meant to be a day dedicated to extending the gifts of the Catholic faith through acts of prayer, service or philanthropy. And, because Catholic Extension's mission is to build the church in areas where challenges are great and resources are scarce, part of the intent is that acts extend beyond the typical boundaries of a parish or youth group or similar organization. Videos submitted for the contest should be less than two minutes long, explain the activity chosen for Extension Day, and complete the sentence: "Our Extension Day is extending the church's presence by ..." Videos do not need to be polished; they can be recorded on whatever is available.
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...