It’s said that the first person to make the Stations of the Cross was the Blessed Virgin Mary. After her Son ascended into Heaven, everyday she walked the route from the place where Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus to death, through the streets of Jerusalem, outside the city walls to Calvary where he was crucified, and then to Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb where she and a tiny handful of Christ’s friends buried him.

It’s a lovely thought, a lovely story, but it’s only that—a lovely story.

On Lenten Sundays, Catholics might wonder why the Gospel readings are so long. They are long because they are intended to be a biblical course on baptism, preparing for which is the purpose of Lent.

Lent is meant to get us ready for baptism.

In all things consider the end; how you shall stand before the strict Judge from Whom nothing is hidden and Who will pronounce judgment in all justice, accepting neither bribes nor excuses. And you, miserable and wretched sinner, who fear even the countenance of an angry man, what answer will you make to the God Who knows all your sins? Why do you not provide for yourself against the day of judgment when no man can be excused or defended by another because each will have enough to do to answer for himself?

The Vatican confirmed that a second miracle for Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto, the little shepherd-seers of Fatima who died during the Spanish Flu Pandemic, has now been approved. It seems likely that Pope Francis will canonise them personally on May 13, when he will be at Fatima to commemorate the centenary of the apparitions.

The Pope in Santa Marta: faith is continuing your journey in life, as it is, with joy and without complaining. “Sloth is a sin that paralyzes us and stops us from walking”.

Get on with things, live your life with joy. Avoid complaining and do not let yourself be paralyzed by the ugly sin of sloth. “Even if you’re paralyzed, go ahead with your ‘wheel-chair.” This is faith. These are Pope Francis’ words of encouragement during Mass at Casa Santa Marta this morning, March 28, 2017.

Pope Francis has written to the United Nations to encourage this week’s talks at the global organization on crafting a new worldwide treaty to ban nuclear weapons, saying in a letter it is time for the international community to “go beyond” nuclear deterrence.

Writing to the president of the conference, which has been boycotted by many nuclear powers, including the United States,the pontiff says he wants to encourage the some 120 countries taking part in the talks to “work with determination” to eliminate the need for atomic weapons.

O God of all the nations,
the One God who is and was and always will be,
in your providence you willed that your Church
be united to the suffering of your Son.
Look with mercy on your servants
who are persecuted for their faith in you.
Grant them perseverance and courage
to be worthy imitators of Christ.
Bring your wisdom upon leaders of nations
to work for peace among all peoples.
May your Spirit open conversion
for those who contradict your will,
that we may live in harmony.

Whenever I am offering spiritual direction, and the directee laments about a situation, wondering why God has not answered their prayer... I always ask, “How are you praying?” Nine times out of ten the answer comes back with something that sounds like, “I don’t know … I guess I add a petition to my rosary or something.” It is then that I speak to them about “Praying like you mean it!”

St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote,

After the attack in Westminster, Hazrat Mirza Masroor, spiritual leader of the Ahmadi Muslims rejects the violent interpretation of jihad and reintroduces the “dialogue of life” with the other religions.

These days I find I’m more alert to the grief and sorrow around me than I once was. In part it’s a product of my age, of youth giving way. I’m guessing my situation is not that different from many of yours.