The Marriage of Joseph and Mary

In the Jewish tradition, the joyful celebration of marriage lasted for one full week. This tradition is reflected in the one-week period which connects the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (March 19) with the Solemnity of the Annunciation...

Introduction to the Ashen Triduum

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, but the First Week of Lent begins with the First Sunday. This leaves the three days between Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday in an unusual liturgical interval; they are part of Lent, but not part of the weeks of Lent. Their official...

Seasonal Introduction to Lent

The liturgy has brought us through Advent, Christmas, and Ordinary Time before Lent, always guiding us to a fuller life in Christ. As we pondered words of wisdom for the formation of our minds and hearts, we were brought to experience the power of the real presence of...

Seasonal Introduction to Christmas

The Christmas Season takes its direction from the splendor of the light of Christ, which breaks into our Advent darkness with the three liturgical celebrations on Christmas Day. We then proceed into the Octave, which contains numerous feasts. There is an intensity of...

Seasonal Introduction to Advent

Each Advent we are given the opportunity to begin anew and to enter a deeper place of interior awareness. We not only continue to await the second coming of the Lord, but we look forward to celebrating again the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago!...