![[home]](/lent/images/usccb_logo_dkpurple.gif){kind=logo}
Lent 2009 — Feb 25 - Apr 11
Easter - April 12th
Today - November 21, 2009
READINGS: Text | Audio
REFLECTIONS:
Video
Thought for the day
Mary is a woman who loves. How could it be otherwise? As a believer who in faith thinks with God’s thoughts and wills with God’s will, she cannot fail to be a woman who loves. We sense this in her quiet gestures, as recounted by the infancy narratives in the Gospel. We see it in the delicacy with which she recognizes the need of the spouses at Cana and makes it known to Jesus. We see it in the humility with which she recedes into the background during Jesus’ public life, knowing that the Son must establish a new family and that the Mother’s hour will come only with the Cross, which will be Jesus’ true hour (cf. Jn 2:4; 13:1). When the disciples flee, Mary will remain beneath the Cross (cf. Jn 19:25-27); later, at the hour of Pentecost, it will be they who gather around her as they wait for the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:14).
Encyclical letter God Is Love (Deus Caritas Est), no. 41, December 25, 2005
 |
What we celebrate The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are outward signs of grace, instituted by Christ to make us holy. Learn more about the seven sacraments, especially the sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation (Confession) during Lent. |
|
The Sacraments
Sacrament of Baptism Baptism is the first of the three sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church by which individuals are freed from all sin and endowed with the gift of divine life. Baptism confers membership in the Church and calls the baptized person to holiness and mission. The Catholic Church baptizes infants at the request of their parents and baptizes adults through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The eight major elements in the baptismal ceremony convey the meaning of the sacrament and teach us to appreciate life in Christ. Take a quiz to test your knowledge about the sacrament of baptism. Sacrament of Penance Penance, also called the sacrament of confession, reconciliation, conversion and forgiveness, provides for the forgiveness of sins committed after baptism and results in reconciliation with God and the Church. Examinations of Conscience Catholics prepare to receive the sacrament of penace by examing their consciences in light of the Word of God. Following are some guidelines for examinations of conscience. Apostolic Letter from Pope John Paul II on the Sacrament of Penance Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and concludes on Holy Saturday. The Paschal Triduum begins on Holy Thursday with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. Following are resources and information on Holy Week practices and observances.
Easter Vigil During the Easter Vigil Mass, celebrated after nightfall on Holy Saturday, the baptisimal water is blessed and the sacraments of initiation are conferred on the adults who have joined the Church through the RCIA.
View a video meditation | |
