Gardening God’s Way in the ‘Spring’ of Lent

Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another

Plant three rows of turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
To conclude our gardening
We must have thyme:
Thyme for God
Thyme for study
Thyme for prayer

Some Ideas for a Holy Lent

Take 30 minutes to pray, ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance, look over this activities list for the Season of Lent, and make a few practical Lenten resolutions. Be careful. If you try to do too much, you may not succeed in anything.


During the Season of Lent, get up earlier than anyone else in your house and spend your first 15 minutes of the day thanking God for the gift of life and offering your day to Him.
Get to daily Mass. If you can’t do Mass daily, go to Mass on Fridays in addition to Sunday and thank Him for laying his life down for you. Maybe you can go another time or two as well.

Spend at least 30 minutes in Eucharistic adoration at least one time during the week. Recover the Catholic tradition of making frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament throughout the week, even if it is only for 5 minutes.

Get to confession at least once during the Season of Lent after making a good examination of conscience. In addition to the penance assigned by the priest, fulfill the conditions necessary for a plenary indulgence.

Make a decision to read at least some Scripture every day. Pray the Liturgy of the Hours. You can buy a one volume edition or a full four volume edition, or read ‘Magnificat.’

Make the Stations of the Cross each Friday of the Season of Lent either with a group or by yourself.

Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary often during Lent, especially on Friday and Wednesday. The glorious mysteries are especially appropriate on Sundays. Joyful and Luminous mysteries are great on other days.



Make it a habit to stop at least five times a day, raise your heart and mind to God, and say a short prayer such as “Jesus, I love you,” or “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” or “Lord, I offer it up for you.”

Pray each day for the intentions and health of the Holy Father.

Pray each day for your bishop and all the bishops of the Catholic Church.

Pray for your priests and deacons and for all priests and deacons. Pray for the millions of Christians suffering under persecution in various Muslim and Communist countries around the world.

Pray for the evangelization of all those who have not yet heard and accepted the Good News about Jesus.

Pray for your enemies. In fact, think of the person who has most hurt you or who most annoys you and spend several minutes each day thanking God for that person and asking God to bless him or her.

Pray for an end to abortion on demand in the United States. Pray for pregnant women contemplating abortion. Pray for our troops and for others in harm’s way.

Find a form of fasting that is appropriate for you, given your age, state of health, and state of life.

Find a written biography of a Saint that particularly appeals to you, and read it during the Season of Lent. When Easter comes, don’t drop the new practice you’ve begun during the Season of Lent! Make a permanent feature of a deeper Christian life!

The Forty Days of Lent

Purification of Spirit through Fasting and Almsgiving
From a sermon by Leo the Great, 5th century

Dear friends, at every moment the earth is full of the mercy of God, and nature itself is a lesson for all the faithful in the worship of God. The heavens, the sea and all that is in them bear witness to the omnipotence of their Creator, and the marvelous beauty of the elements as they obey him demands from the intelligent creation a fitting expression of its gratitude.

But with the return of that season marked out in a special way by the mystery of our redemption, and of the days that lead up to the paschal feast, we are summoned more urgently to prepare ourselves by a purification of spirit.

The special note of the paschal feast is this: the whole Church rejoices in the forgiveness of sins. It rejoices in the forgiveness not only of those who are then reborn in holy baptism but also of those who are already numbered among God's adopted children.

Initially, men are made new by the rebirth of baptism. Yet there is still required a daily renewal to repair the shortcomings of our mortal nature, and whatever degree of progress has been made there is no one who should not be more advanced. All must therefore strive to ensure that on the day of redemption no one may be found in the sins of his former life.

Dear friends, what the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion, so that the Lenten fast enjoined by the apostles may be fulfilled, not simply by abstinence from food but above all by the renunciation of sin.

There is no more profitable practice as a companion to holy and spiritual fasting than that of almsgiving. This embraces under the single name of mercy many excellent works of devotion, so that the good intentions of the faithful may be of equal value, even where their means are not. The love that we owe both God and man is always free from any obstacle that would prevent us from having a good intention. The angels sang: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will, but also with the gift of peace.

The works of mercy are innumerable. Their very variety brings this advantage to those who are true Christians, that in the matter of almsgiving not only the rich and affluent but also those of average means and the poor are able to play their part. Those who are unequal in their capacity to give can be equal in the love within their hearts.

Homilies for Lent

Prayer is the Light of the Spirit
From a homily by John Chrysostom, 5th century

Prayer and converse with God is a supreme good: it is partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see light, so our spirit when it is intent on God, is illumined by his infinite light. I do not mean the prayer of outward observance but prayer from the heart, not confined to fixed times or periods but continuous throughout the day and night.

Our spirit should be quick to reach out toward God, not only when it is engaged in meditation; at other times also, when it is carrying out its duties, caring for the needy, performing works of charity, giving generously in the service of others, our spirit should long for God and call him to mind, so that these works may be seasoned with the salt of God's love, and so make a palatable offering tot he Lord of the universe. Throughout the whole of our lives we may enjoy the benefit that comes from prayer if we devote a great deal of time to it.

Prayer is the light of the spirit, true knowledge of God, mediating between God and man. The spirit, raised up to heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness; like a child crying tearfully for its mother, it craves the milk that God provides. It seeks the satisfaction of its own desires, and receives gifts outweighing the whole world of nature.

Prayer stands before God as an honored ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given by man but by God's grace. The apostle Paul says: We do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with inexpressible longings.

When the Lord gives this kind of prayer to a man or woman, he gives him riches that cannot be taken away, heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. One who tastes this food is set on fire with an eternal longing for the Lord: his spirit burns as in a fire of the utmost intensity.

Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your house with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord. You will be able to receive him as in a splendid palace, and through his grace you will already possess him, his image enthroned in the temple of your spirit.


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Saint Casimir
From a homily by our humble pastor


Wednesday we celebrate Ash Wednesday… the beginning of Lent. But, Wednesday is also, coincidently, the feast of St. Casimir. I think it’s a happy coincidence because there is something about St. Casimir and Lent that seems to go together.

Lent is a very strong and virile season. It’s not a season for delicate flowers. It’s a season for strong athletes and rugged individuals. That describes St. Casimir to a tee!

But I suspect that most of us don’t know very much about St. Casimir. First, he was a royal prince, the second son of the King of Poland during the golden age of Poland’s power and glory. Poland was rich and its kings among the most influential in the world.

It would have been very easy for St. Casimir under the influence of all his wealth and authority to become soft and lazy. But the opposite was true. He disciplined himself severely… rising early, eating sparingly and simply, dressing simply… working hard physically and intellectually, using his influence as the son of a powerful king to do good and right wrongs… in other words he was a man among men.

But that was not all. He truly practiced the ideal that we should develop not only our body but the mind and spirit as well. St. Casimir was an intellectual as well… he studied and read great literature and poetry and was knowledgeable in all the sciences and arts as well… and as for the spirit… He spent his free time in prayer and meditation often shunning sleep to spend time with his devotions.

St. Casimir, in Poland, is called the “Peace maker” because he refused to lead his father’s armies in an unjust war that would have placed him on the throne of Hungary. It was a difficult position to take, not only in those days, but even in our own. To be strong and yet to know that might does not make right!

So there he is… our own St. Casimir… the patron of Poland and Lithuania,,, and the patron of teenagers. His concern to develop all God’s gifts… body, mind and spirit… his unselfish and peace loving attitude… his concern for the underprivileged… those are good thoughts to enter Lent with. Those are good thoughts to imitate, because they are in imitation of Jesus!

The Lorica of Saint Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

Saint Patrick

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. He was born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; he died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.

His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote:

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after Dichu was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.

In Praise of Saint Joseph

Joseph’s Greatness and Poverty
by Father Marie Dominique Philippe

Here we touch upon the magnanimity of Joseph in his poverty and humility. We can see now how he is a “son of David” and how he even surpasses his forefather in the royal authority conferred upon him by the Lord, Joseph accepted, in love, the real poverty which was demanded of him with regard to Mary’s fruitfulness. He did not murmur within his heart; he did not lay claim to the legitimate right of husband over wife, for he had agreed right from the moment of their first meeting to have no human rights over Mary because she was God’s alone, body and soul. He had agreed to have only such authority over her as the Father would give him. He truly marries her in the most complete poverty. This poverty, lived first of all in the intentions of his heart, is now lived effectively in the full realism of his human sensitivity. He accepts that God has brought about His masterpiece within Mary, without including him, her spouse. He accepts that Mary alone will be the source of life for the formation of the body of the Son of the Most High become man, and he is even glad, because Mary is thus fully glorified and takes precedence over him: she is first.

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Saint Joseph
by Thomas Howard

Obscurity. No klieg lights, ever. No accolades. No testimonial dinners, or talk shows, or excitement. Ever. Sheer, unrelieved obscurity. Joseph and his household were very, very low in the social and economic pecking order. They were not the Beautiful People, nor did they have a rich and famous lifestyle. Obscurity. Silence. Routine. Sameness. Day in and day out. Year after year. Nobody knows when Joseph died, of course: Mary may have been widowed early on. But for whatever his allotted span of time was, Joseph exists for us all, it seems to me, as the very icon of the faithful servant of God. Obscurity, yes, but obscurity is not a category in the precincts of heaven. Fidelity is. This is hard for us mortals to live with, sometimes. So much else seems so attractive. Surely just a bit of celebrity would spice things up, or a dash of wealth, or influence, or some exciting connections, or some great success that would set us apart- even a little bit apart- from the trampling herd. Well-- there is the icon of Saint Joseph for us to contemplate, and in front of which we may want to pour out some prayers from the depths of our being. What, I may ask, is the particular obscurity the angel of God has assigned to me as the specific realm in which I may win through to sainthood? If I keep Saint Joseph in my vision, I will have a most encouraging model.

Gleanings…for Lent

From the “Book of Sparkling Sayings,” by Grammaticus, 7th century:

Persevering is more important than beginning.

Jerome said: "Christians will not be asked how they began, but rather how they finished. St Paul began badly, but finished well. Judas' beginning was praiseworthy but his end was despicable".

"Many start the climb, but few reach the summit".
Gregory said: "The value of good work depends on perseverance"
"You live a good life in vain if you do not continue it until you die".
Isidore said: "Our behavior is only acceptable to God if we have the strength of purpose to complete any work we have undertaken".

"Virtue is not a matter of starting well, but of carrying on to the very end".

"The reward is not promised to the one who begins, but rather to the one who perseveres".

Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world. ~Clement, 1st Century

One certain conviction we have: that God is a powerful support since he grants his help to anyone who asks for it.
~Cyprian of Carthage

One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village where He worked as a carpenter shop until He was thirty.
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He didn't go to college.
He never visited a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born.

He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness.
He had no credentials but himself.

He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him.

His friends ran away.
He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

While He was dying His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth.

When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race and the leader of humanity's progress.

All the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever sailed, all the parliaments that have ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned put together have not affected the life of humanity on earth as much as that
One Solitary Life.

This Will Put a Twinkle in Your Eye!

In tears, Mary Clancy went up to Father O’Grady after the nine o’clock Mass.
He asks, “So what’s bothering you, Mary my dear?”
She replies, “Oh, Father, I’ve got terrible news. My husband passed away last night.”
The priest says, “Oh, Mary, that’s terrible. Tell me, did he have any last requests?”
She says, “That he did, Father. He said, ‘Please, Mary, put down that damn gun.’”

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A mother with a fidgety 7-year old boy told me how she finally got her son to sit still and be quiet. About halfway through the sermon, she leaned over and whispered, “If you don’t be quiet, Father is going to lose his place and will have to start his sermon all over again!”


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Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck.

Devotion of the Month: Ancient Prayer to Saint Joseph

This prayer was said to be found in the 50th year of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the 1500s it was sent by a Pope to Emperor Charles as he was going into battle.


O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers. O St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus, asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His Fine head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for me. Amen.

According to oral tradition, whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.