Lenten Greetings From Father Corapi

E-Letter received via email:
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This year the universal Church begins the season of Lent on March 1st, Ash Wednesday. By the solemn mystery of the forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert. It is the Church's primary and most solemn time of penance, a preparation for the Paschal mystery, the mystery of our salvation.

We recall that Jesus went into the desert as a preparation for the public ministry that He was about to undertake. It was a time of intense prayer and penance. During this time, as Scripture recounts, Jesus encountered the Devil, the Tempter. This is when we often likewise encounter the Enemy: when we are vulnerable from the rigors of life, the stresses of trials and tribulations. This is the time to give glory to God.

We should pray and do some penitential works throughout the forty days of Lent, preparing for the great mystery of our Redemption. The greatest penitential work is to resist sin, especially any sins we are chronically guilty of. Make a firm purpose of amendment, go to Confession, receive the holy Eucharist frequently, do some charitable works. All of this weakens the strangle hold of evil on each one of us personally, as well as our loved ones, friends, and all creation.

Life is dour combat, to use the words of the Catechism, and we should wage war against sin like we intend to win. If we do so, the glory of Easter morning will take on new and higher meaning for us this year.

May God grant you every blessing and grace to fight the good fight and run the race to the finish line.

In Jesus' Love through Mother Mary,
Fr. John Corapi, SOLT

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Providentially, I was able to get a couple of tickets to Fr. Corapi's conference in March (10th & 11th) in Kansas City...I'm looking forward to this since he has not been here for a few years, the last time of which I am aware, was in Washington, MO. You can check his schedule at the website above, KC is only about 3.5 hrs from here, and it's possible tickets might still be available...