Why do we fast during Lent? Or rather, why do we as men and women in the 21st century need fasting? While this isn’t the chief purpose of the practice, writes Scott Richert, fasting can help us recover the sense of ourselves
In word and deed, Pope Francis continues to encourage Catholics to reach out to the poor and not succumb to a consumerist mentality where what we have is deemed more important than who we are. The season of Lent provides a special
An Advent tradition among Eastern Catholics has taken on a deeper meaning amid Russia's war on Ukraine. The Fast of St. Philip is observed by Eastern Catholics and Christians worldwide to prepare for the joy of Christ's birth, beginning prior to Advent
There is nothing fun about Lent — dreary music, hidden artwork, somber readings, having to “give something up” — and yet writer Matthew Dugandzic looks forward to it every year. Lent, if done right, can be a truly joyful — literally joy-filled
As we journey through Lent, Benedictine Abbot Austin G. Murphy probes the question, “How is my Lent going?” He offers four ways in which self-denial can spiritually benefit us, along with some thoughts after each one on how to discern whether or
A reader writes: “A couple of years ago, I said to God that if he would get my mom to heaven, I would give up getting married in this life. I don’t remember if I said that I “promise” to do this
Publisher Scott Richert shares a background on fasting in Lent, originally meant for those coming into the Church, but eventually expanding to 40 days for the faithful. But for those who may have waited till the 11th hour, or whose fast has
Bishop Shelton J. Fabre's recent call to fast in response to racism on the feast of St. Peter Claver, Sept. 9, was a call to be attentive to the inequalities across society and acknowledge the sin of racism that continues to exist.
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A reader explains that, during this time of pandemic, she has been fasting more often. She writes, “It feels sacrificial, but it’s also improving my health. Can a practice be both penitential and beneficial?” Monsignor Charles Pope answers that God would not
Debating the morality of eating an Impossible Burger on a Lenten Friday might be as Catholic as it gets. While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explains in its Lenten guidelines that the Church's laws on abstinence hold that meat "comes only