All Saints Parish Homilies and News

http://francoamerican.bangordailynews.com/2020/02/28/franco-american-news-and-culture/mercredi-des-cendres-franco-americans-and-lent/ Bangor Daily News blog Lent is the liturgical season that marks 40 days of prayer and repentance practiced by the faithful in preparation for celebrating the Easter Season. Franco-Americans are traditionally very observant about Lenten religious practices that have been defined by the Catholic Church. Officially, Lent lasts for 40 weekdays, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday, before Easter Sunday. Lenten symbols on the alter at Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick Maine During a special ceremony during the Mass, the priest and lay leaders greet the parishioners who advance to the alter, giving them a benediction, while putting blessed ashes on each of their foreheads. This is the blessing: En francais: Carême bénédiction – “Souviens-toi, ô homme, que tu es poussière et que tu retourneras dans la poussière.” (“Remembe...

How sacred images can lead to peace in the soul February 11, 2020 is the Feast Day for Our Lady of Lourdes. Check my Pilgrim's Story - Bringing Lourdes Home here. Also, check the link:  Praying With Icons here Echo essay published in Aleteia   by Philip Kosloski Religious icons and other beautiful images can elevate our prayer life and rescue us out of despair. While it’s true that prayer does not require the use of sacred images or icons, they certainly do help and can have a powerful effect on the soul. The Catholic Church has firmly believed in the importance of sacred art for centuries and even encourages it in the Catechism. Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God – the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ, who “reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature,” in whom “the whole fullnes...