THVRSDAY EDITION

Fasting & Abstinence at Lent: A CNA Explainer

Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Lent is a time for Friday Fish Fries and “giving something up.” But many Catholics wonder what exactly the Church requires during Lent, and why. ☩ CNA via The Catholic World Report

Church groups are losing members; Wherein Fr. Z rants

All our activities as Catholic Christians must flow from & return to proper liturgical worship of God, in His Church & as His Church provides by God’s own authority. Otherwise, we drift from being a people with a mind & heart for the transcendent, a transforming encounter with God in Mystery, & we wind up mired in immanentism, without a sense of something beyond, that which is unsettling & yet alluring. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

The Meaning of “Lent” & “Easter” (Is Probably Not What You Think)

In many languages, the term for this season means something like “The Fast” or “Fasting-Time.” Not so with English. We just named the season Lencten, the Old English word for “spring”. . . ☩ Joe Heschmeyer, J.D., of Shameless Popery

Cardinal Müller: Cardinal Pell’s Conviction ‘Against All Reason & Justice’

The prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith told the Register that the allegations against Cardinal Pell are ‘absolutely unbelievable.’ ☩ Edward Pentin of National Catholic Register

An Examination of Conscience for Lent

The purpose of examining our consciences is to grow in our relationship with God. That is also true of everything else in Lent and in our lives as Catholics. ☩ Marty Dybicz of Catholic Stand

Envy & Jealousy: Why the Difference Actually Matter

Most people use envy and jealousy interchangeably. Is there a difference between these terms and why should we care? For one, we should use words knowingly and deliberately, understanding what we mean by them! Secondly, I will show that there is a theological importance to getting them right. ☩ R. Jared Staudt of Catholic Exchange

Unlearning Ourselves in Lent

☩ Blessed John Henry Newman via The Catholic Thing

'Cupich Plan' for Investigating Bishops Accused of Sex Abuse Faces Rough Road

☩ Joan Frawley Desmond of National Catholic Register

The Destination of "Synodality", Lessons from Norway

☩ Mark Lambert of De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

HIV Patient Cured of AIDS Thanks to Adult Stem Cells

Understandably, all the attention in response to an article posted in the journal “Nature” was captured in the headline in many ensuing stories: “Second HIV patient is in long-term remission, a decade after the first.” What was completely ignored is the source of the stem cells that were responsible for this long-term remission from HIV infection—they were adult stem cells. ☩ Dave Andrusko of Life News

About Lent

Lent is less than a month away, & this year, we’re preparing our hearts to enter into the greatest story ever told. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, going from Genesis to Jesus in Sacred Scripture. We know how the story ends, but are we prepared for the long road to get there? This Lent, we’re taking a few steps to get ready to enter the desert. Here’s how we’re getting ready for the demanding, powerful, joyful story presented in Genesis to Jesus. . . ☩ St. Paul Center

Liturgical Details: The Uncapped Thurible

One of the (now) distinctive features of the Ambrosian rite is the "uncapped" thurible -- a thurible, or censer, without the decorative top (or cap) that covers the burning coals and incense within. ☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

More dangerous garbage from the National Catholic Reporter

This is the sort of dreck that Fishwrap publishes on Ash Wednesday – destruction of the Church’s identity and life through “updating” the sacraments. ☩ Fr. Z's Blog

Forty Hours at St Mary’s Oratory in Wausau, Wisconsin

The Institute of Christ the King’s church in Wausau, Wisconsin, St Mary’s Oratory, recently held the Forty Hours devotion, from Thursday, February 28, to Saturday, March 2nd. ☩ Gregory DiPippo of New Liturgical Movement

What Basil the Great wants you to know about fasting

☩ Amy Welborn of Charlotte Was Both

The Ash Grey Lenten Vestments of the Rite of Lyon

☩ Shawn R. Tribe of Liturgical Arts Journal

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