Dear Friends,
There is no time like Lent to delve deeply into the merciful love of God. Since Ash Wednesday is just days away, we are launching our Lenten content this week so you can benefit from the beautiful offerings that have been prepared for you. The intro letter is a little longer this week to orient you to the Lenten content.
Our Lenten theme is the corporal works of mercy, which come to us through our Catholic tradition, are rooted in Scripture, and are listed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 2247). During the weeks of Lent and the Sacred Triduum, we’ll feature content related to these works of mercy in this order: shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, bury the dead, and visit the imprisoned. Finally, early in his pontificate, Pope Francis added an eighth work of mercy — care for our common home.
In a beautiful way, each corporal work of mercy aligns with the Mass readings from one of the weeks of Lent. These works of mercy — ways of putting our Eucharistic faith and devotion into action — culminate in the experience of Holy Week and the Triduum.
The links in the Lenten section above - each week - will contain:
I am so grateful to our writers and editors who have diligently worked, supported by trusting prayer, to make this content available for us! It is my hope that together we will be inspired and challenged, truly growing in faith, hope and charity this Lent as we journey with Jesus.
All that being said, for Ash Wednesday I chose to focus on “shelter the homeless.” It seemed fitting, since each Lent is a new opportunity for us to recognize that all of life is a journey toward our eternal home. The measure in which we offer shelter to our brothers and sisters in need directly connects to the measure in which we’ll be ready to enter our heavenly home! What better time than Lent to evaluate where we are along the road to Heaven, seek forgiveness where necessary, and recommit to this heavenly pilgrimage.
May Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, intercede for us, that we may travel well and together as the Body of Christ, united in the Eucharist, this Lenten season!
In Jesus,
Sister Alicia Torres, F.E.
Managing Editor