Posted on March 1, 2025 View all news
This month, I wish to welcome our new Archbishop designate, Archbishop Robert Casey. I encourage you all to keep him in prayer in the weeks leading up to his installation as the 11th Archbishop of Cincinnati. For many years now, with Fr. Adrian’s encouragement, we have prayed for the successor of Archbishop Schnurr. We can be confident that the Lord, already knowing who the new Archbishop would be, applied all those prayers to him. We can now pray for him by name. I encourage everyone to say a Memoare for him each day leading up to his installation and entrusting his ministry to the Blessed Mother. Please welcome him to the Archdiocese with great kindness and charity. And may we certainly be sure to continue to pray to St. Joseph for all the intention of the Oratory.
This month, we begin the great Fast of Lent. Please be sure to read through this newsletter for the regulations regarding fasting and abstinence. Remember that abstinence means not eating meat, which is required on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is a reduction in our food intake to one full meal in the course of the day and up to two smaller meals that don’t equal the full meal. You shouldn’t snack in between. The days of Fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
One is always encouraged and should do more during Lent. In previous times, the Church required much more. More recently, each day of Lent was a fast day. In centuries gone by, dairy and eggs were also things that had to be abstained from in addition to meat. Assess what you can do based on your occupation, health, and ability, and strive to do more than just the minimum this year. You could also strive to attend Mass during the week, attend Adoration if you are not already in that habit, and form the habit of praying the Rosary. I also encourage you to give alms, perhaps saving a bit of money each day to be donated to charity on Easter. These things would fulfill the Lord’s command that we pray, fast, and give alms.
Lastly, I encourage you to also give up some vice this Lent. Work to grow in the opposite virtue. This should be a permanent change that we strive to grow in, as opposed to the temporary penances we give up but resume on Easter. Lent is about mortifying ourselves and seeking to grow in greater holiness through penance. In doing so, the Lord will give us graces that will assist us on the path to salvation.
Have a blessed month ahead!
