Benedetta and a Lenten Refresher

Saint Benedetta Cambiagio Frassinello: wife, religious, foundress

Jean M. Heimann Author and blogger at Catholic Fire

From her parents Benedetta received a Christian formation that rooted in her the life of faith. Her family settled in Pavia when she was a girl. When she was 20 years old, Benedetta had a mystical experience that gave her a profound desire for a life of prayer and penance, and of consecration to God. However, in obedience to the wishes of her parents, in 1816, she married Giovanni Frassinello and lived married life for two years. In 1818, moved by the example of his saintly wife, Giovanni agreed that the two should live chastely, "as brother and sister" and take care of Benedetta's younger sister, Maria, who was dying from intestinal cancer. They began to live a supernatural parenthood quite unique in the history of the Church.
(4 Minute Read)

Rending the Heavens (Lent 2022)

Poco a Poco Podcast Franciscan Friars of the Renewal / Spirit Juice Studios

Sometimes Lent is a missed opportunity. We focus too much on what we’re going to give up, what we’re going to do, etc. This year, focus on our desire to have a Lent that brings us into contact with Jesus.

Where are we going, and why are we going there?

Jesus doesn’t go into the desert for himself; he doesn’t have some personal need. He does it for us.

And in a real way, we get to go into the desert as Jesus did. We go with him into the desert because he absolutely wants us to experience what he experiences with the Father. That relationship is everything.

But it takes work. It takes tough decisions. And this world, as we know it, doesn’t form us to say “yes” to that.

There is a mark on our souls from baptism, and we go into the desert so Jesus can remind us what that means. To claim our inheritance: direct access to God, in everything. But we have to let everything else go to receive this gift.

It’s time to choose to step into the desert.

(56 Minute Episode: Watch or Listen)

And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”
– Luke 4:24

Russia-Ukraine: Where is God in war?

Julian Paparella Salt and Light Media

The eyes of the world are fixed on Ukraine. Our hearts turn to our fellow human beings under brutal attack. Terrible tragedies like this beg the question: Where is God?

Though it is difficult to grasp, God is not absent. God is there. God is weeping. God is on the side of those who sufferand hears their cry. Our God is not fair-weather or disconnected. He does not live in faraway palaces or luxury yachts. God is in the midst of suffering, at the very heart of the traumas and tragedies of the world.

There is no doubt that God accompanies the Ukrainian families that are forced to flee and separate. God mourns over the many lifeless corpses that leave us numb. At the same time, God gives courage to the people of Russia who dare to protest in the face of cruelty, risking their freedom to say no to war. God works to move negotiations forward on the path to peace. God inspires journalists and camera operators who put their lives on the line to capture the reality of what people are going through.

History shows us that it is often in the most crushing darkness that God shines the most radiant light. We can think of the dark cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Auschwitz, sacrificing himself to save the life of his fellow prisoner. In the heart of horror, God responds by shining a ray of love.
(4 Minute Read)

Annunciation Novena in Preparation for Consecration of Ukraine and Russia – Day 5

●●●●●○○○○

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen ✝

I greet you, Ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Throne of Grace, miracle of Almighty Power! I greet you, Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity and Queen of the Universe, Mother of Mercy and refuge of sinners!

Most loving Mother, attracted by your beauty and sweetness, and by your tender compassion, I confidently turn to you, miserable as I am, and beg of you to obtain for me from your dear Son the favor I request in this novena: for the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to your Immaculate Heart.

Obtain for me also, Queen of heaven, the most lively contrition for my many sins and the grace to imitate closely those virtues which you practiced so faithfully, especially humility, purity and obedience. Above all, I beg you to be my Mother and Protectress, to receive me into the number of your devoted children, and to guide me from your high throne of glory.

Do not reject my petitions, Mother of Mercy! Have pity on me, and do not abandon me during life or at the moment of my death. Amen.

Now cheer up, it's Monday and you've got some souls to brighten! 😎

A.M.D.G.