Let Freedom Ring: Freedom from Fear
At a word from You the devil and his minions flee in terror.
You are the source of all truth. You are the source of all strength.
By the power of your Cross and Resurrection, we beseech You, O Lord
To extend Your saving arm and to send Your holy angels
To defend us as we do battle with Satan and his demonic forces.
Exorcise, we pray, that which oppresses Your Bride, The Church,
So that within ourselves, our families, our parishes, our dioceses, and our nation
We may turn fully back to You in all fidelity and trust.
Lord, we know if You will it, it will be done.
Give us the perseverance for this mission, we pray.
Amen
St. Joseph...pray for us
St. Michael the Archangel...pray for us
(the patron of your parish )... pray for us
(your confirmation saint)...pray for us
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
Illustrious son of David, etc.
Light of the patriarchs,
Spouse of the Mother of God,
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,
Foster-father of the Son of God,
Watchful defender of Christ,
Head of the Holy Family,
Joseph most just,
Joseph most chaste,
Joseph most prudent,
Joseph most valiant,
Joseph most obedient,
Joseph most faithful,
Mirror of patience,
Lover of poverty,
Model of workmen,
Glory of domestic life,
Guardian of virgins,
Pillar of families,
Solace of the afflicted,
Hope of the sick,
Patron of the dying,
Terror of demons,
Protector of Holy Church,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
And prince over all His possessions.
O God, Who in Thine ineffable providence didst choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most Holy Mother, grant that as we venerate him as our protector on earth, we may deserve to have him as our intercessor in Heaven, Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever. R. Amen.
__ Daily reflection and prayers
__ Litany of the day
__ Pray a Rosary
__ Divine Mercy Chaplet
__ Spiritual or corporal work of mercy
__ Fast/abstain (according to level)
__ Exercise (according to level/ability)
__ Refrain from conventional media (only 1 hr. of social)
__ Examination of conscience (confession 1x this week)
Ash Wednesday
SERVITES
Exodus, Chapter 34, Verse 30
Moses after
experiencing the presence of God while receiving the 10 commandments came down
from the mountain and he glowed with God’s glory. We too can glow with the
glory of God by being in His presence.
The Radiant Person[1]
The Four Dimensions of Life
Beyond the laws of radiant
health are some broader principles that include the whole person. Human beings
are made up of more than just a body. The World Health Organization defines
health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and
not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." This definition is
incomplete as it leaves out one significant aspect of life and health—the
spiritual. This understanding is illustrated clearly in Luke 2:52 which tells
us that, "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and
man." A rough paraphrase would state that Jesus grew mentally, physically,
spiritually and socially.
Health for the whole person
We cannot be totally well
unless every part of us is healthy. In fact the mental, social, and spiritual
factors may be even more involved in causing or fighting many diseases than are
the physical factors. Many of the laws that we listed as governing physical
health apply equally well to the other facets of life.
1. Nutrition-It is
necessary to eat to live, not only physically, but also in the other three
dimensions.
Mentally:
If new information and ideas are not fed into the mind on a regular basis the
intellect ceases to grow and develop, becoming weak and stunted. Don't dwell on
the trivial, degrading, or useless; these things can be considered mental junk
food. I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble ... my loving God. PSALM
59:16
Socially:
If love, respect, and companionship are not a regular part of your life, your
social capabilities become weak and dwarfed.
Spiritually:
Christians nourish themselves spiritually through Bible study, prayer,
fellowship, and service to others.
2. Exercise—Activity is a
law of life that is often phrased this way, "Use it or lose it."
Mentally:
Intellect, memory, wisdom, attitude, and willpower need to be exercised.
Socially:
Love, tact, the social graces, communication, and core values grow when they
are practiced.
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, prayer, love, and perseverance are essential for
spiritual strength and growth.
3. Rest—We need to relax
and regenerate after activity.
Mentally:
The mind needs to rest after periods of intense mental activity in order to
recuperate. In addition, a good night's sleep gives the mind a chance to
reorganize and start afresh.
Socially:
A time away in privacy and solitude is necessary after periods of heavy social
interaction.
Spiritually:
After intense periods of ministry Christ's servants need to "Come apart
and rest awhile" by spending time with Him. Time with Christ is spiritual
rejuvenation. (See Mark 6:30,31).
4. Temperance—The basic
definition of this law of life and health is to avoid that which is harmful and
practice moderation in that which is healthful.
First, do no harm.
Mentally:
Don't do anything that would destroy or pollute your mental faculties.
Socially:
Don't acquire harmful habits or friends, or engage in socially destructive
behaviors like gossip, criticism, breaking civil laws, or engaging in risky,
degrading, sexual behaviors.
Spiritually:
Don't destroy your spiritual sensibilities by dwelling on spiritually
destructive emotions such as hatred, anger, or revenge. Avoid putting yourself
under Satan's power through occult practices or the rejection of the Spirit of
God.
Second, practice
moderation and balance in things that are good. This involves more than just a
balance between such things as activity and rest, logic and emotion, solitude
and the multitude. It also consists of keeping a healthy balance between the
four dimensions (mentally, physically spiritually and socially). When one of
these areas of life becomes all-encompassing or is neglected, the result is an
unbalanced and unhealthy individual.
Finally, part of being in
balance is knowing what is most valuable and important. There will be times
when you will have to choose between what is best for one element at the
expense of the others. A young person might have to choose between a career in
sports or science. You might have time to get either physical exercise or
spiritual nourishment but not both. You make choices based on what you value
most. Why not make your spiritual dimension the top priority, and base each
decision on how it will affect your spiritual life and health? It would be a
terrible waste to make physical health your highest priority only to miss out
completely on eternal life and the associated radiant health Christ promises.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you." (Matt. 6:33).
5. Water, fresh air, and
sunshine—These are all useful for cleanliness, which is a principle that
applies equally to all segments of life.
Spiritually:
We need to open our hearts daily to the sunshine of God's love, let the pure
air of the Spirit flow into our lives, and be washed in the cleansing blood of
Jesus, accepting His forgiveness.
Mentally:
Likewise, when the mind is polluted and degraded there is help in the
principle, "By beholding we become changed?" But ultimately, only by
accepting Christ's offer to create in us a new life can the mind be completely
cleansed.
Socially:
As Christ changes the life and the person sincerely repents, confesses, apologizes,
and makes amends, others will realize that this is a new and clean person.
Christ knows and loves
each of us as if there was no one else. He longs for us to accept His offer of
salvation. He desires to cleanse us, and make us whole, that we might achieve
the happiness and abundant life for which we were created.
The Inseparable Four Dimensions
The four dimensions of
life are inseparable and so interrelated that what affects one part of us
affects every other part as well.
Physically:
Poor physical health can cloud the mind, depress the attitudes, and make it
more difficult to keep spiritually healthy. Conversely, good health can clear
the mind and improve the mental outlook, promoting enriched spiritual strength
and health.
Mentally:
Willpower, attitude, and intellect have a decided influence on how we live our
lives and apply or reject the various laws of health.
Socially:
Both the attitudes that permeate our homes, and the relationships we form, have
the power to affect our health
Spiritually:
The exercise of faith, love, hope, prayer, perseverance, and dedication to God
will bring peace of mind, character growth, and increased physical health.
The study and practice of
these extended health principles will make a difference in the usefulness and quality
of life. Each of these laws with which we cooperate brings a benefit, but when
we cooperate with all of them the rewards are multiplied!
The Devil and Temptations[2]
There are many and varied
ways in which sin and evil are presented to us in an attractive way. Avoid them
as you would a monster in the closet.
Charms
and Amulets
·
This
is a form of magic in which the particular object is believed to have power to
attract the good or to ward off evil. These are particularly bad when given to
us by a fortune teller, spiritualist, "curandero" or some person
involved with the occult. When the object is worn on the person or carried in
the purse or placed in the home, it means that the influence of evil is always
present there with us. Examples are carrying garlic in the purse in order to
always have money, keeping an open pair of scissors for good luck, keeping
special herbs in a jar, wearing a crescent around the neck or a necklace of
garlic, putting alfalfa and flowers in front of a statue, placing figures of
oriental or Indian gods in the house, and so on. Much of the modern jewelry
worn about the neck is now actually representative of something used in
witchcraft. Usually people wear this jewelry innocently.
·
We
must be careful not to use religious medals or statues in a
superstitious way. No medal, no statue, nor religious article has any power or
luck connected with it. A medal, statue or candle is only a sign of our prayer
asking the saint to intercede with God for us. All worship is given to God and
to Him alone.
·
All
of the objects described above, or any other objects used in a superstitious
way should be effectively thrown away or destroyed. If we are wearing jewelry
that corresponds to a zodiac sign, or if we wear something that is
representative of witchcraft, we can open ourselves unwittingly to the kingdom
of darkness. People wear religious medals because they seek the intercession of
the Blessed Virgin Mary or the saints, and they desire the protection and the
blessing of God. Wearing something that represents the occult, even in an
innocent way, is symbolic of our being under the power of darkness. We should
not hesitate to get rid of this type of jewelry. Either we want to be in the
Kingdom of God, or we don't. Renounce Satan renounce the use of charms and ask
God's pardon. If you deliberately carved such an object to ward off evil or to
attract good luck, it would be well to mention this when you go to Confession.
Place your faith, not in the kingdom of darkness, but only in Jesus Christ who
cures, who saves, who protects and who loves us.
Ash
Wednesday[3]
The solemn season begins
with a reminder of our mortality and our profound need for repentance and
conversion.[4]
Why is this day so called? Because on this day the Catholic Church blesses ashes and puts them on the foreheads of the faithful, saying, “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust shalt thou shall return” (Gen. iii. 19).
Why are the ashes blessed?
1. That all who receive them with a contrite heart may be preserved in soul and body.
2. That God may give them contrition and pardon their sins.
3. That He may grant them all they humbly ask for, particularly the grace to do penance, and the reward promised to the truly penitent.
Why are the faithful sprinkled with ashes? The sprinkling with ashes was always a public sign of penance as such God enjoined it upon the Israelites (Jer. xxv. 34). David sprinkled ashes on his beard (Ps. ci. 10). The Ninevites (Jonas iii. 6), Judith (Jud. ix. 1), Mordechai (Esther iv. 1), Job (xlii. 6), and others, did penance in sackcloth and ashes. To show the spirit of penance and to move God to mercy, the Church, at the Introit of the Mass, uses the following words: “Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest none of the things which Thou hast made, and winkest at the sins of men for the sake of repentance, and sparing them, for Thou art the Lord our God” (Wis. xi. 24, 25).
Prayer. Grant to Thy faithful, O Lord, that they may begin the venerable solemnities of fasting with becoming piety, and perform them with undisturbed devotion.
EPISTLE. Joel ii. 12-19.
Therefore, saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. And rend your hearts and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil. Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God? Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bride-chamber. Between the porch and the altar, the priests, the Lord s ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people; and give not Thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them; why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? The Lord hath been zealous for His land, and hath spared His people: and the Lord answered and said to His people: Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations, saith the Lord Almighty.
Explanation. The prophet, in these words, calls upon the Israelites to be converted, reminding them of the great mercy of God, and exhorting them to join true repentance for their sins with their fasting and alms. They should all, without exception, do penance and implore the mercy of God, Who would then forgive them, deliver them from their enemies, and bring peace and happiness upon them.
GOSPEL. Matt. vi. 16-21.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: When you fast, be not as the hypocrites, sad: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, that thou appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father Who is in secret: and thy Father, Who seeth in secret, will repay thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in heaven: where neither rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.
Instruction on Lent
What is the origin
of fasting? Under
the Old Law the Jews fasted by the command of God; thus, Moses fasted forty
days and forty nights, on Mount Sinai, when God gave him the Ten Commandments;
Elias, in like manner, fasted in the desert. Jesus also fasted and commanded
His apostles to fast also. The Catholic Church, says St. Leo, from the time of
the apostles, has enjoined fasting upon all the faithful.
Why has the Church
instituted the fast before Easter?
1. To imitate Jesus Christ, who fasted forty days.
2. To participate in His merits and passion; for as Christ could only be glorified through His sufferings, so in order to belong to Him we must follow Him by a life answering to His.
3. To subject the flesh to the spirit, and thus,
4, prepare us for Easter and the worthy reception of the divine Lamb.
5. Finally, to offer to God some satisfaction for our sins, and, as St. Leo says, to atone for the sins of a whole year by a short fast of the tenth part of a year.
Was the fast of Lent kept in early times as it is now?
Yes, only more rigorously; for:
1. The Christians of the early ages abstained not only from flesh-meat, but from those things which are produced from flesh, such as butter, eggs, cheese, and also from wine and fish.
2. They fasted during the whole day, and ate only after vespers, that is, at night.
How shall we keep the holy season of Lent with advantage?
We should endeavor not only to deny ourselves food and drink, but, still more, all sinful gratifications. And as the body is weakened by fasting, the soul, on the other hand, should be strengthened by repeated prayers, by frequent reception of the holy sacraments, attending Mass, spiritual reading, and good works, particularly those of charity. In such manner we shall be able, according to the intention of the Church, to supply by our fasting what we have omitted during the year, especially if we fast willingly, and with a good intention.
Prayer. O Lord Jesus, I offer up to Thee my fasting and self-denial, to be united to Thy fasting and sufferings, for Thy glory, in Gratitude for so many benefits received from Thee, in satisfaction for my sins and those of others, and to obtain Thy holy grace that I may overcome my sins and acquire the virtues which I need. Look upon me, O Jesus, in mercy. Amen.
Ash Wednesday Top Events and Things to Do[5]
·
Go
to your local parish to get ashes and reflect on your own mortality and
sinfulness. Non-Christians are also welcomed to get ashes.
·
Fast
during Ash Wednesday to commemorate Jesus fasting for forty days in the desert.
Catholics are specifically instructed to not eat meat and are only permitted
to eat one full meal. However, they may have 2 snacks in the form of some
food in the morning and evening.
·
Make
fiber-rich vegetarian versions of popular dishes. Some good ideas are
Veggie Burgers, Vegetarian Chili and salads with Tempeh. The fiber will
help keep you feeling full - useful if you fast for the rest of the day!
·
Rent
a movie that reflects on Mortality or Repentance. Some suggestions: Les
Misérables (2012),
Dorian
Gray (2009), What
Dreams May Come
(1998), Flatliners
(1990) and The Seventh Seal (1957).
· Discuss mortality, repentance and the meaning of life with your friends or with a church group.
Of all the observances of Lent, the chief among these is the Great Fast. So, intertwined are
the words Lent and the Great Fast, that in fact the Fathers of the Church
sometimes used the terms interchangeably. This solemn obligation is believed to
be of Apostolic origin and takes its precedent, as we mentioned above, from the
examples of Moses, Elias, and Jesus Christ. The Great Fast used to consist of
both abstinence and fasting. Christians were expected to abstain not only from
flesh meat, but from all things that come from flesh, e.g. milk, cheese, eggs,
and butter. Eastern rite Christians still observe this practice, while the
Western church gradually kept only abstinence from meat (reference to all lacticinia,
or "milk foods," was dropped in the 1919 Roman Code of Canon
Law). Both East and West, however, agree on the importance of fasting.
Originally this meant taking only one meal a day, though the practice was
modified over the centuries. The
preconciliar practice in the U.S. was for all able-bodied Catholics
ages 21 to 60 to have one full meal a day which could include meat, and two
meatless meals which together could not equal one full meal. Snacking between
meals was prohibited, though drinking was not. Ash Wednesday, Fridays and the Ember
Days were days of total abstinence from meat, while Sundays were completely
exempted from all fasting and abstaining. The idea behind the Great Fast -- as
well as other periods of fasting -- is that by weakening the body it is made
more obedient to the soul, thereby liberating the soul to contemplate higher
things. St. Augustine gives perhaps the best example: if you have a
particularly high-spirited horse, you train it at the times when it is too weak
to revolt. It is our opinion that this venerable practice should still be taken seriously.
Even though current ecclesiastical law has reduced the fast from forty days to
two and eliminated the thirty-three days of partial abstinence, this does not
mean that observing the Great Fast is not salubrious or praiseworthy. This
said, however, the Great Fast should not be adhered to legalistically. In the
words of St. John Chrysostom: "If your body is not strong enough to
continue fasting all day, no wise man will reprove you; for we serve a gentle
and merciful Lord who expects nothing of us beyond our strength."
Lent-10 Things
to Remember for Lent[7]
1. Remember
the formula. 10 Commandments, 7 sacraments, 3 persons in the
Trinity. For Lent, the Church gives us almost a slogan—Prayer, Fasting and
Almsgiving—as the three things we need to work on during the season.
2. It’s
a time of prayer. As we pray, we go on a journey over 40 days, one
that hopefully brings us closer to Christ and leaves us changed by the
encounter with him.
3. It’s
a time to fast. With the fasts of Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday, meatless Fridays, and our personal disciplines interspersed, Lent is
the only time many Catholics these days actually fast. And maybe that’s why it
gets all the attention. “What are you giving up for Lent? Hotdogs? Beer?
Jellybeans?” It’s almost a game for some of us, but fasting is actually a form
of penance, which helps us turn away from sin and toward Christ.
4. It’s
a time to work on discipline. Set time to work on personal
discipline in general. Instead of giving something up, it can be doing
something positive. “I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to pray more. I’m
going to be nicer to my family, friends and coworkers.”
5. It’s
about dying to yourself. The more serious side of Lenten discipline
is that it’s about more than self-control – it’s about finding aspects of
yourself that are less than Christ-like and letting them die. The suffering and
death of Christ are foremost on our minds during Lent, and we join in these
mysteries by suffering, dying with Christ and being resurrected in a purified
form.
6. Don’t
do too much. It’s tempting to make Lent some ambitious period
of personal reinvention, but it’s best to keep it simple and focused. There’s a
reason the Church works on these mysteries year after year. We spend our entire
lives growing closer to God. Don’t try to cram it all in one Lent. That’s a
recipe for failure.
7. Lent
reminds us of our weakness. Of course, even when we set
simple goals for ourselves during Lent, we still have trouble keeping them.
When we fast, we realize we’re all just one meal away from hunger. Lent shows
us our weakness. This can be painful but recognizing how helpless we are makes
us seek God’s help with renewed urgency and sincerity.
8. Be
patient with yourself. When we’re confronted with our own
weakness during Lent, the temptation is to get angry and frustrated. “What a
bad person I am!” But that’s the wrong lesson. God is calling us to be patient
and to see ourselves as he does, with unconditional love.
9. Reach
out in charity. As we experience weakness and suffering during Lent,
we should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering or
otherwise in need. The third part of the Lenten formula is almsgiving. It’s
about more than throwing a few extra dollars in the collection plate; it’s about
reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of sharing
the experience of God’s unconditional love.
10. Learn
to love like Christ. Giving of ourselves in the midst of our
suffering and self-denial brings us closer to loving like Christ, who suffered
and poured himself out unconditionally on the cross for all of us. Lent is a
journey through the desert to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, as we seek
him out, ask his help, join in his suffering, and learn to love like him.
Lenten
Calendar[8]
Read: Take
inspiration for your Lenten journey from prayer and the reading of Scripture,
from fasting and from giving alms. – Lent is essentially an act of prayer
spread out over 40 days. As we pray, we are brought closer to Christ and are
changed by the encounter with him. Fasting – The fasting that we all do
together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals
and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain
foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Almsgiving – The
giving of alms is an effort to share this world equally—not only through the
distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.
Reflect: “Even
now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and
weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12, Lectionary)
Pray: As we
begin Lent, we pray for the strength to commit ourselves to prayer, fasting,
and almsgiving so that we may grow to love God more each day.
Act: Have
you picked up your Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl for Lent this year? Make
a commitment to dropping in spare change every day. Another way to give alms today is by giving
to the National Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
Prayer
before the Crucifix[9]
This prayer is designed to be said within the family before
a Crucifix from Ash Wednesday to Saturday at the beginning of Lent.
Prayer
Mother or a child: From the words
of St. John the Evangelist (14:1-6).
Let not your
hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's
house there are many mansions. Were it not so, I would have told you, because I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am
coming again, and I will take you to myself, that where I am, there you also
may be. And where I go, you know, and the way you know.
Father:
We ought to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
Family: in whom is our salvation,
life and resurrection.
Father: Let us pray. Grant to your faithful, Lord, a
spirit generous enough to begin these solemn fasts with proper fervor and to
pursue them with steadfast devotion. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus
Christ, your Son.
Family: Amen. Favor this dwelling,
Lord, with your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy
angels—let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain
always upon us. This we ask of you through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
Father: Let us bless the Lord.
Family: Thanks be to God.
Father: May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Family: Amen.
Prayer Source: Holy Lent by Eileen O'Callaghan,
The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota, 1975
A Practical Guide to Fasting
Fasting – a word we normally reserve for Lent. Once Easter
comes, we box it up and package it away until the next Lent. Yet this should
not be so among Catholic men. A while ago, Sam discussed the great benefits of fasting.
http://www.40daysofprayerandfasting.org/live-the-fast/
Now you may be thinking … Fasting sounds great, but where do
I start? … Let’s take some time to look at the basics of fasting well.
Preparation: It is important to develop a
strategy before beginning to fast. This starts with setting a realistic goal.
For example, you should start simple, such as a bread and water fast for one
meal, one day a week. Also, select your fast day. I recommend Wednesday or
Friday, as these are the two traditional Catholic days to fast, commemorating
Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. As you grow in fasting discipline, you could
increase your fast to multiple meals on fast day or even multiple days a week.
Water: Water helps purify our bodies of
toxins, while providing only the basic hydration we need to survive. When
fasting, make sure to bring a water bottle with you throughout the day and
drink frequently to stay hydrated. One temptation may be to slip in a cup of
coffee or soft drink during the day. However, stay strong against this
temptation. The bread and water will satisfy your basic needs even if they do
not bring the comfort of your favorite food or beverage.
Fasting Bread
Taken from Sr. Emmanuels' book[10], "Healing and Liberation
Through Fasting".
This bread is very hearty and really sustains one who chooses to fast on bread
and water.
3 cups white flour
4 cups wheat flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 cup of lukewarm water
2 cups of very hot water
1 beaten egg
1 Tablespoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Sugar or Honey
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of butter
1 cup Raisins (or fresh apple peeled and cut)
1 cup Almonds or Walnuts
1 cup Plain Oats
In a medium sized bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm
water. Cover with a plate and wait a few minutes until bubbly. In a large bowl,
combine the flours. Make a well in the flour and add the yeast mixture. Mix a
bit.
Reusing the now empty medium bowl, combine Salt, Sugar, Butter,
Oil, Raisins, Nuts, 1 beaten egg, and the two cups of very hot water. Pour this
over the yeast mixture. Mix/knead the dough, adding flour and or water as
needed.
Knead the dough until it comes clean from the bowl. Cover with a
plate or towel and let it rise ten minutes. (I often skip this step and the
bread still tastes fine) Knead it again until it has spring to it. Place in well-greased
bowl and cover, letting it rise until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour,
depending on room temp.
Form into desired shapes. This will make two large or three
medium loaves. Place in greased pan. Brush the top with remaining egg (if you
did not use it in recipe) and sprinkle with sesame seeds, oats or poppy seeds,
if desired.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes, until done and golden brown.
Bread: Selecting the proper fasting
bread is crucial to a successful fast. Since the typical bread we eat is
processed and devoid of most nutritional value, I recommend the bread made by
the group, Live the
Fast. As a
bonus, if you are a priest, seminarian or religious, they will send you bread
free! Their bread is all-natural. They bake the bread, freeze it, and then ship
it to your home along with a booklet of fasting instructions. Once you receive
it, you place it in the freezer. On fast day, you take the bread out of the
freezer and heat it in the oven for a few minutes. The bread is
filling but austere; to give the one fasting the nutrition needed to complete
the day’s tasks and nothing more.
Prayer: While you are heating up the
bread, grab a notebook and write down your prayer intentions for the day. Maybe
a friend has lost a job, a relative is sick, or someone has asked for your
prayers. Keep the list with you and offer up prayers for these people
throughout the day. After the bread is finished baking, take it out of the
oven, say a prayer and then eat your first piece. As you go throughout the day,
look for extra opportunities to pray, especially during mealtimes. Maybe you
could attend daily Mass or stop to visit the Blessed Sacrament during your
lunch break. Intentional prayer during fasting helps remind us that fasting is
not purely an ascetical practice. We forgo food to grow closer to God, not to
show how tough we can be on our bodies. The hunger we experience while fasting
instills in us the truth that nothing in this world can satisfy us but God
alone.
Temptations: You will undergo many temptations
while you fast, so stay close to God in prayer. One may be to boast to your
friends about how great you are for fasting. Jesus warned us in the Gospel that
those kinds of people are hypocrites. The purpose of fasting is to draw us
closer to Christ, not draw others closer to us for our own greatness. Another
temptation may be free food. Just like during Lent when meat becomes more
available and appealing on Fridays, expect more temptations to eat during the
fast. A co-worker may offer you a snack or tell you about some leftovers from a
department’s lunch in the break room. Stay vigilant against these temptations
and focus your mind on other things. The
less you think about food during the day, the easier it will be to fast.
Breaking
the Fast: End your fast day with a prayer.
Thank God for the day and then prepare a normal sized meal. The temptation can
be to gorge yourself with food after eating less during the day, but this is
not beneficial. Eat your meal slowly and mindfully. Thank God for the gift of
food and the grace he gave you to fast well. Just like any other habit, fasting
can be difficult to begin and you may want to quit. You will have days where
you fast well and others where you give into hunger easily. Do not be
discouraged but persevere! God has great graces for those who fast and will
help draw near to him those who seek him through the discipline of fasting.
“Fasting purifies the soul. It lifts up the mind, and it
brings the body into subjection to the spirit. It makes the heart contrite
and humble, scatters the clouds of desire, puts out the flames of lust and
enkindles the true light of chastity.” (St. Augustine)
Seven Founders of the
Orders of Servites[11]
These seven men were the
founders of the Servite Order, a community instituted for the special purpose
of cultivating the spirit of penance and contemplating the passion of Christ
and Mary's Seven Sorrows. Due to the spirit of humility cherished by the members
of the Order, their accomplishments are not too widely known. But in the field
of home missions’ great things are to their credit, and certainly they have
benefited millions by arousing devotion to the Mother of Sorrows. The Breviary
tells us that in the midst of the party strife during the thirteenth century,
God called seven men from the nobility of Florence. In the year 1233 they met
and prayed together most fervently. The Blessed Mother appeared to each of them
individually and urged them to begin a more perfect life. Disregarding birth
and wealth, in sackcloth under shabby and well-worn clothing they withdrew to a
small building in the country. It was September 8, selected so that they might
begin to live a more holy life on the very day when the Mother of God began to
live her holy life. Soon after, when the seven were begging alms from door to
door in the streets of Florence, they suddenly heard children's voices calling
to them, "Servants of holy Mary." Among these children was St. Philip
Benizi, then just five months old. Hereafter they were known by this name,
first heard from the lips of children. In the course of time they retired into
solitude on Monte Senario and gave themselves wholly to contemplation and penance.
Leo XIII canonized the Holy Founders and introduced today's feast in 1888.
Today is my mother Rosella’s birthday (RIP)
Feb 17, 1927-Feb 2, 2002
Please say a Hail Mary for her soul.
Today is also the National Congress of
Mothers later known as the PTO which was established in 1897.
Motherhood is tough these days don’t forget to pray for mothers of today.
The New
Stay-at-Home Mom[12] (Does
not just eat bon bons and watch “Charmed” on TV)
Forget everything you've
heard about stay-at-home moms. A new generation is starting their own; businesses,
blogging and working at home. These women are known as WAHM’s (Work At Home
Moms) proving women can be nurturing while increasing the net income of a
family while overseeing that the family comes first. Great families start with
great couples; great parents which means a great family. If we want to make
America great it starts here. The model for any mother is of course the
original work at home mom which is Mary mother of God. Today say the Seven Sorrows of Mary Rosary.
Moms: Here is an original children’s story I have written a long time ago. Enjoy
THE TREE OF HAPPINESS
Sir Michael was, Guardian of the
Throne, to the King of Utopia, Richard. Utopia was a Kingdom like many others
of that age, Most the Knights to the King had long forgot their oaths of duty
and selfless service. Most of them were heavily involved in petty schemes or
feuds with other Knights and spend a great deal of time and energy in self-promotion.
In order to afford these pursuits of big-headedness they extracted heavy taxes
from the peasants. The sons of these Knights were worse than their fathers and
had much time for idle pleasures and failed to train properly as Knights of the
Realm. These youth wasted much of their time in satisfying selfish pleasures,
such as taking magical powders which made the takers have visions and feel a
great sense of well-being. In addition, many of these Knights to be were in the
habit of drinking strong drinks to excess and going about mistreating the
daughters and sons of the peasants. To be
continued tomorrow.
Every Wednesday is
Dedicated to St. Joseph
The Italian culture has
always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you could make Wednesdays
centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of pizza or spaghetti
after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday evening Mass. You could
even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are adventurous you could do the
Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the evening a family night perhaps
it could be a game night. Whatever you do make the day special.
·
Devotion to the 7 Joys and Sorrows of St.
Joseph
·
Do Day 26 of the Consecration to St. Joseph
·
Do the St.
Joseph Universal Man Plan.
Daily
Devotions
·
Litany of the Most
Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Manhood of
the Master-week 1 day 1
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
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