Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a Catholic way of life, rooted in our baptism and strengthened by our confirmation. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our habits (good and bad), to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need. Focusing on the last of these, alms giving, may be one of the easiest ways you can start a new good habit. Numerous restaurants have teamed up with charities. Frequently you enter and notice they have various shapes taped up on their walls with names of all types written across the shape. Usually the shape represents someone giving a designated amount for the charity. So the next time you see one of these opportunities, pray to God and ask if it is the right place for you to give alms. You do want to be conscience of what types of activities the charity is supporting, so do not blindly give. Once you begin to give of yourself in this way, God will open new avenues to your heart and you will begin to see the world as a different place. As we continue to pray lent, I hope that the Holy Spirit is working within you to make the proper preparation for the Easter celebration.
Finding St Anthony Among the Lost Items
Saint Anthony of Padua, though often associated with finding lost articles, was primarily known in his lifetime as a powerful and eloquent preacher. Originally a Canon Regular of St. Augustine, he was inspired to join the newly formed Franciscan order after witnessing the martyrdom of the first Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. His conversion to the mendicant life under St. Francis of Assisi transformed him, deepening his commitment to poverty, humility, and evangelical preaching. Gifted with profound theological knowledge and a captivating speaking style, he traveled across Italy and France, drawing immense crowds with his clear and passionate sermons, converting many and combating heresy with his unwavering faith and intellectual rigor. Beyond his public ministry, St. Anthony was a mystic who enjoyed profound spiritual experiences, most notably a vision of the Infant Jesus. This intimate connection with the Christ Child is a hallmark of his iconography, often depicting him c...
