All of Italy is in lockdown. The streets of Rome are empty. The Pope is saying private Masses and giving virtual, disembodied blessings via big screen in St. Peter's Square.

The cup is gone from most churches. Communion in the hand is for some a cause of great fear. Elbow bumps replace handshakes. Smiles acknowledge, at a distance, that they will have to suffice for embraces.

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As a believer who grew up in the Protestant Church, I would venture to say that I lived in the equivalent of the Church Calendar’s Ordinary Time for most of the year.

On Sunday, March 8, millions around the world mobilized in honor of International Women’s Day. The day has occurred for over a century, providing a voice to international, intergenerational, and cross-gender efforts concerning the conditions of women across different religions, countries, and social classes.

In a Sunday morning Tweet, His Majesty King Abdullah ll said: “On #InternationalWomensDay and every day, we are grateful for and proud of the inspiriting achievements of Jordanian women and their dedication to the prosperity of our nation.”

In 1348, the Black Plague or “Great Pestilence” led to the deaths of between 30 to 60 percent of medieval Europe, killing one out of every two or three people on the continent.

In 1918, the Great Influenza or “Spanish Flu” killed approximately 50 million people, over twice the total number of soldiers who died during World War I. Its mortality to infection ratio was approximately 3 percent, with 3 out of every 100 infected people dying from the virus.

Most Catholics are familiar with Lent as a time of spiritual preparation, penance and fasting.

But fewer Catholics might be aware that the Church offers a plenary indulgence during this holy season to those who seek one.

An indulgence — which has long been misunderstood both inside and outside Catholic circles — is defined as the “remission of temporal punishment due to sin.” Put more plainly, it’s a spiritual cleaning of the “mess” sin makes after a person has received the sacramental graces of confession and absolution.

Celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday by following the example of one extraordinary woman, Mary, the Mother of God. So says Sr Carol Breslin, of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, who notes that also on 8th March, it is the UN Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches has expressed support for the annual ‘Pro terra Sancta’ collection, which will be taken up at Masses around the world on Good Friday. Following is the text:

Your Excellency,

South Sudan is the world’s newest country. After its split from the Republic of Sudan in 2011, the young nation has already seen almost 400,000 deaths in the wake of its civil war, which started in 2013.

Nearly 60 per cent of South Sudan’s population is Christian. Of the remaining population, around one-third practises traditional African religions, while only six per cent adhere to Islam. These demographics are starkly contrasted against Sudan, which has a population that is 97 per cent Muslim.

Every year, as the Church prepares to begin Lent, the pope releases a letter to assist the faithful in having a holy and fruitful season. The Lenten message often conveys some area of spiritual or moral theology that is close to the heart of the pontiff and is something that he wants to stress in the life of the Church.

This year, Pope Francis’ message revolved around a verse from Saint Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”