Lenten Practice: Prayer Before the Crucifix

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During Lent, Christians are encouraged to increase the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In fact, Lent is an excellent time to receive several Plenary Indulgences. One such Indulgence is attached to the practice of praying the Prayer Before the Crucifix on Lenten Fridays following receiving Communion. Remember that the standard conditions apply:

  • Complete detachment from all sin, even venial sins
  • Receive the Sacrament of Confession and confess all sins
  • Receive the Holy Eucharist
  • Pray for the intentions of the Pope

The Confession must be received within a reasonable amount of time (I generally recommend 7 days before or after), and one Confession can cover multiple Indulgences. You must receive Communion for each individual Indulgence, and can only receive 1 Plenary Indulgence per day.

Annual Lenten Reminder

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I try to do this every year: when considering your Lenten fast (A.K.A. what you’re giving up), please take into account how depriving yourself of that good will affect your relationship with others. In other words, don’t give up coffee if you are this guy:

Same goes with smokers, those addicted to chocolate, and so on. Find another Lenten fast that won’t make you unbearable to be around. After all, the fast is for your penance, and not for everyone else. Thank you.

Homily for the Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Homily for the Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A

(For the record, that is not my cell phone that rings during the recording. The lectors sit behind the ambo during the homily, and it was one of their phones going off. You would have heard the theme from Super Mario Bros. if it was mine.)

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Jesus of Nazareth volume 2 about to be released

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Pope Benedict’s second volume on the life of Our Lord is about to be released. Order it here. Just do it. Don’t even think about it, just click that link and order it. If you don’t have volume 1, order it here and read it first.

The first volume is a beautiful reflection on Our Lord’s life, and reviews that are coming out, such as this one from Fr. Z from his What Does the Prayer Really Say blog, give me the impression that the second volume will just as powerful and moving. Forget the DuhVinci Code “Real Jesus” books. Read Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth.