February 2022

"Weekly Challenge" February 2022

Week Beginning February 27, 2022
Consider Your Lenten Sacrifice
During March, we explore the importance of stewarding God’s gifts of time, talent, and treasure. With that in mind, take this week to prayerfully consider your upcoming Lenten sacrifice. Think about how you can expand your usual penance to also include a spiritual discipline and a charitable practice.
Cardinal at Mass
Week Beginning February 20, 2022
Attend Mass
Participating in Mass is our greatest form of prayer. It represents one continual offering to God the Father by making present the sacrifice and memorial of His Son. At Mass, we become active participants in the Lord’s passion. We submit our own struggles before the altar and are united with Christ when we receive his body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Through his real presence, we are nourished, strengthened, and cleansed.
Mass is a celebration of our physical communion with God and with one another. As a community, our prayers become more efficacious. Mass expands our minds by providing insight into the Word of God. It is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude and grow in God’s loving mercy. Simply walking through the Church doors transports us to a sacred place of reverence and peace.
“If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass” (Saint Padre Pio).
Find a Mass near you.
Rosary
Week Beginning February 13, 2022
Pray the Rosary
Praying the Rosary offers something for everyone. If you are not already praying the Rosary, you are missing out on a powerful devotion. If you are praying the Rosary, you can continue your spiritual growth by meditating on what Pope Saint John Paul II described as “an exquisitely contemplative prayer.”
The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer, featuring four sets of Mysteries–Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous–which center on Christ’s life, Passion, and resurrection. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, these mysteries help us to reflect upon the stories from the Gospel and find real meaning through those events in the silence of our hearts. The gentle repetition of the words leads us into meditative prayer.
In addition to being a source for gaining indulgences, the Blessed Mother grants Fifteen Promises of protection and grace for praying the Rosary. Considering the prayers of the Rosary only take about fifteen minutes to recite, that is a very generous incentive to incorporate the Rosary into your daily routine.
St. Catherine of Siena taught us that our “infinitely desirous love” for God expressed through prayer is a greater gift than the finite work of saying the words. Let us use this loving devotion to engage our souls in deeper communion with God.
For help getting started, try the Knights of Columbus Guide to Praying the Rosary.
Week Beginning February 6, 2022
Create a Sacred Space
Help yourself pray and reflect by creating a sacred space in your home. This will be an area you can go anytime to unwind and meditate. Because many city dwellers do not have spare rooms, try using a little corner to build your mini-sanctuary. Your décor should invoke a feeling of calm and inner peace. Incorporate religious artifacts and elements from nature to facilitate focusing on our Creator. Surround yourself with inspirational icons that raise your spirits. Do your best to achieve privacy and quiet. Now that you have built your own altar, develop a daily ritual for its use. Relax and enjoy!
January 2022
This Week
March 2022
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