My soul is sorrowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with Me.--St. Matt 26: 38

The Church's Laws on Fasting and the Season of Lent

On this day, ashes made from the Palms which were blessed on the previous Palm-Sunday, are solemnly blessed and put on the forehead of all the faithful, as a holy emblem of penance, at the same time as the terrible sentence which God Himself pronounced against the first sinner is repeated: "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return."

Preparing for Lent How to Fast from the Heart Sermon for Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday: Epistle and Gospel, Instructions for Lent Ash Wednesday Service: from the Roman Missal

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. In ancient times the period of preparation for Easter differed in length in various countries. Later it was so arranged that forty days of fast would precede the great Feast as a reminder of our Lord's fast in the desert. In the Old Law ashes signified grief or repentance. In the Early Church, penitents did penance "in sackcloth and ashes." The ceremony originally instituted for public penitents was later arranged for all Christians. We should receive these blessed ashes with contrition, a desire to obtain forgiveness from God, a resolution of not attaching ourselves to perishable things.


Meditations for Each Day of Lent by St. Thomas Aquinas


Additional Meditative Sermons:

Choose from the following: Jesus: the Willing Victim On Serving Two Masters On Spiritual Murder Purchased by His Blood On the Dangers of Bad Thoughts The Vice of Covetousness The Root of All Sin On the Vanity of the World The Following of Christ The Careless Christian and Self-Watchfulness Trifling with God and How to Become Masters of Ourselves On the Use of Temptations and How to Overcome Discouragement On the The Life of Blessed Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows On the Angelic Virtue and The Will of God, Our Sanctification On the Benefits of a Good Confession On Christian Self-Love and the Necessity of Holy Fear and Avoiding Sloth On the Loving Chastiser and How to be Victorious in our Earthly Fight Jesus Crowned with Thorns and Loaded with Ignominy How to Fast from the Heart Preparing for Lent Showing Forth Our Faith The Business of Life and Vanity of Earthly Things Take Heed Lest You Fall


A Series of Links on Temptations and the Devil

Choose from the following: Temptations: Why we have them Lead us not into Temptation Does Satan Exist? Temptations and the Devils who Tempt Resisting the Enemies of Our Salvation The Devils Plan to Ruin Souls and the Protection of the Holy Angels A Short Explanation on the Rite of Exorcisms Exorcism of Nicola Aubry How St. John Vianney was Persecuted by Demons The Life of St. Antony by St. Athanasius St. Dominic and the Attacks of the Devil St. Francis of Assisi and his Confrontations with Devils St. Teresa of Avila's Combat with Satan & Encounter with Hell St. Hilarion's Miracles and Combats with Devils The Medal or Cross of St. Benedict

First Sunday in Lent: Christ permitted Himself to be tempted by Satan. Why then, should we be surprised if we have to struggle against the malice and snares of the devil! Our strength to resist lies in fasting, in guarding and controlling our senses, in almsgiving, in prayers, and in uniting ourselves with Christ in Holy Mass and Communion. Fasting in Lent Liturgical Year by Prosper Gueranger Sermons by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger Children's Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent First Sunday of Lent: Epistle and Gospel First Sunday in Lent: On the Spiritual Combat First Sunday in Lent: On Serving the Devil Jesus Crowned with Thorns and Loaded with Ignominy

Second Sunday in Lent The Transifguration of our Lord gives us an idea of the beauty of a soul in the state of sanctifying grace. "This is the will of God, your sanctification." It must be our firm determination to preserve the divine life of our soul, at any price. Liturgical Year by Prosper Gueranger Sermons by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger Children's Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent Second Sunday of Lent: Epistle and Gospel On the Deplorable State of a Christian, who is Cold and Insensible with regard to Heaven

Third Sunday in Lent "He who is not with Me, is against Me." We cannot be neutral in our relation to God. If we do not serve Him, pride and selfishness will enslave us. "Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it." Liturgical Year by Prosper Gueranger Sermons by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger Children's Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent Third Sunday of Lent: Epistle and Gospel

Fourth Sunday in Lent Laetare, (Rejoice) says the Introit. Laetare Sunday offers us a rest in the midst of the Lenten observance. We are to rise again soon with Jesus through confession and Easter Communion. Liturgical Year by Prosper Gueranger Sermons by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger Children's Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent Fourth Sunday of Lent: Epistle and Gospel

Passion Sunday: The Mass of Passion Sunday is full of the thought of the Passion of Jesus and of the infidelity of the Jews, whose place in the Kingdom of God was taken by those who were baptized, that is to say by the Christians. Passion Sunday Sermon and Litany of the Passion The Obdurate Sinner Passion of Christ Children's Sermon for Passion Sunday Fifth Sunday of Lent: Epistle and Gospel Passion Sunday: God Abandons the Incorrigible Sinner

The Seven Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Friday after Passion Sunday) The Church commemorates by two feasts the martyrdom suffered by our Lady in union with the Passion of her Son. The first feast especially commemorates the Compassion of Mary; the second, kept on September 15th, the devotion of the Seven Sorrows. Our Lady of Sorrows Sorrowful Mother Seven Dolors Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Palm Sunday This Sunday commemorates Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem. For this reason the Church blessed palms to remind us of the multitude which accompanied Him carrying branches and strewing them in His way while they chanted: "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes inthe name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Palm Sunday Sermon Palm Sunday Sermon Our Redeemer & Messiah Children's Sermon for Palm Sunday Palm Sunday: Epistle and Gospel Palm Sunday: Serving God from the Heart

Holy Week During this, the holiest week of the year, Mother Church puts before her children the sufferings of the Divine Savior. She invites them to ascend Calvary and follow in the footsteps of Him Who chose to become the Lamb and Victim of sacrifice. She asks us to carry our cross willingly in union with Him, in a spirit of expiation and atonement, and offer our life together with Him. Passion-tide and Holy Week Monday in Holy Week Tuesday in Holy Week. Prayers Honoring the Passion and Death of Jesus Liturgical Commentary Wednesday in Holy Week The Treason of Judas and the Death of the Wicked The Life of Our Savour Jesus Christ, as Illustrated by Catholic Artist and Historian, James Tissot, 1899

Holy Week Meditations on the Passion and Death of Jesus by Bishop Challoner

On Our Lord's Agony in the Garden and His Bloody Sweat

The Treason of Judas and the Death of the Wicked

On the Apprehension of Jesus

On Jesus Before Annas and Caiaphas and How He was Unjustly Treated

On the Denial of St. Peter

Three Short Sermons: On Jesus Being Led Away to Pilate Our Lord is Sent from Pilate to Herod Barabbas is Preferred Before Our Lord. He is Scourded at the Pillar

Our Lord is Crowned with Thorns

Our Lord is shown to the people, with Ecce Homo, Behold the Man!

Our Lord is condemned to the cross Our Saviour carries His cross

On the part the blessed Virgin bore in her Son's sufferings

Our Saviour is nailed to the cross

On the sufferings of Saviour upon the cross On our Saviour's preaching from the cross

On our Saviour's death upon the cross

Clock of the Passion

Maundy or Holy Thursday: The Mass today commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Ordination of the Apostles. On this day only one Mass may be celebrated in each church at which two Hosts are consecrated, one of which is borne in procession to the Altar of Repose and placed in the repository to be used on the following day at the Mass of the Presanctified. The Mandatum or Washing of the Feet takes place on this day because our Lord washed the feet of His Apostles before the institution of the holy Eucharist from which this feast derives its name and most characteristic feature. Liturgical Commentary Maundy Thursday Holy Thursday Sermons by Fr. Weninger, 1876 The Seven Sacraments: The Holy Eucharist The Seven Sacraments: Holy Orders Spiritual Communion Instruction for Holy Thursday

Good Friday This day was formerly for the Jewish people a day of preparation for Easter, and was called by them the Passover; for Christians it is the anniversary of the death and burial of our Lord Who on this day, being Himself both High Priest and Victim, offered Himself upon the Cross for the salvation of the world. Sermon by Bishop Ehrler: The Greatest of All Sorrows Liturgical Commentary Good Friday Devotions and Prayers for Good Friday Good Friday Sermons by Fr. Weninger, 1876 Instruction for Good Friday Good Friday: On the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ and Eternity of Hell The Death of Our Lord Good Friday: The Two Thieves The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, as Illustrated by Catholic Artist and Historian, James Tissot, 1899

Holy Saturday In early Christian times no special service was held on this day because there was a Solemn Vigil, or Watch, during the night before Easter. Towards the end of this function, before daybreak, the Catechumens received Baptism. They were immersed in the saving waters, being thus mystically buried with Jesus. But also, at the very hour of our Lord's triumphant Resurrection from the sepulchre, they rose spiritually, being born again to a life of grace; and they received likwise the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Holy Saturday Meditation Holy Saturday

Prayers and Devotions

Lenten Prayers	Complete Site Indexes	Devotions to Our Lady	Catholic Videos and Books
Prayers and Devotions for the Holy Season of Lent Novena and Penitential Litany for Lent; The Prodigal Son Stations of the Cross The Short Method of the Stations of the Cross Devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus Clock of the Passion The Holy Hour Litany of Penance Litany of the Holy Face of Jesus Litany of the Holy Cross The Psalter of Jesus Seven Penitential Psalms The Steps of Our Savior's Passion Prayers and Devotions to the Holy Name Devotions to the Sacred Heart Litany of the Saints Spiritual Communion	Index of Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory Index of Prayers and Devotions for the Sick Index of Prayers and Devotions for the Dying Index of the Ten Commandments Index of Children Prayers, Lent Index of the Lives of the Saints Index: Links to All Marriage and Family Pages. Provides answers to all of your questions, according to the Teaching of the Church. Index for the 14 Holy Helpers Devotions to the Holy Angels Devotions to St. Michael St. Michael/ Exorcism St. Gabriel St. Raphael Guardian Angels Good and Bad Angels Litany of the Holy Angels	Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Encyclical on the Recitation of the Rosary Prayers of Our Lady of the Rosary The History of the Rosary How to Say the Rosary Rosary Novenas Joyful Sorrowful Glorious Ave Maria Our Lady Refuge of Sinners Our Lady of Ransom Our Lady of Perpetual Help The Book of the Holy Rosary, as explained by the Church Fathers and prefigured in the Old Testament The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Set Forth in Her Titles from the Litany of Loreto Prayers, Devotions, Feasts and Books Dedicated to Our Blessed Mother	Videos from Catholic Harbor for Lent Prayerbook: The Manual of the Sacred Heart The Prodigal Son, the Sinner's Return to God The Spiritual Combat by Fr. Scupoli, 1865 St. Leonard of Port Maurice and the Stations of the Cross The Penitent Christian The Holy Ways of the Cross by Henri Boudon, 1875 Introduction to a Devout Life written by St. Francis De Sales The Little Flowers of St. Francis The Life of St. Peter Alcantara and his Golden Treastise of Mental Prayer The Triumph of the Blessed Sacrament or Exorcism of Nicola Aubry, by Fr. Michael Muller

Prayers for the Preservation of Chastity. An Explanation and Defense of the Virtue of Chastity

The Sacrament of Penance

Prayers Before Examining Your Conscience and the Catholic Teaching on Sin	The Ten Commandments as Explained by the Council of Trent	Examination of Conscience Based on the 10 Commandments	Ritual of the Sacrament of Penance & Prayers After Confession
For the Grace of the Holy Ghost For a Pure Heart Causes Rendering Confession Invalid Three Qualities of a Good Confession Prayers Before Examination Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity To Implore the Divine Assistance What is Mortal & Venial Sin Need of realizing the evil of sin Sin is an offense against our Creator Sin offends our Redeemer	The Commandments The 1st Commandment The 2nd Commandment The 3rd Commandment The 4th Commandment Duties of Parents The 5th Commandment The 6th Commandment The 7th Commandment The 8th Commandment The 9th and 10th The Necessity of Keeping the 10 Commandments The Corporal Works of Mercy The Spiritual Works of Mercy	1st Commandment 2nd Commandment 3rd Commandment 4th Commandment 5th Commandment 6th & 9th Commandment 7th & 10th Commandment 8th Commandment The Seven Seven Deadly Sins Accessory to Another's Sin Sins Against the Holy Spirit Sins Crying to Heaven for Vengeance Christian Sinner and Spiritual Blindness True Contrition The False Peace of a Sinful Conscience, by Fr. Hunolt, 1691-1746 Prayer after Examination	Directions for Confession The Form of Absolution Directions Afer Confession Thanksgiving After Confession Prayer Before Penance A Prayer for the Priest Prayers for Pardon & Amendment Prayers Against 7 Deadly Sins 7 Sheddings of Our Lord's Blood Psalms of Thanksgiving

Signs that are to precede the Last Judgement	The Four Last Things	Sermons of the Saints	The Person of the Judge Christ at the Last Judgement
I.    On the Coming and Cruelty of Antichrist II.    Terrible signs preceding The Last Judgment III.    The Causes of these Terrible Signs IV.    The Suddenness of the Last Day	Death and the Importance of Salvation Judgment General Judgement Heaven Hell Reflection on Hell The Sight of Hell, A Book for Children and Young Persons as well as Adults	Time is No More They that Live in Sin The Sinner Seeks God The Sinner at Death Repentance Sermons of St. John Vianney Motives for Conversion God Will Punish You!	Part 1: The Judge as God Part 2: The Judge as Man Part 3: The Judge as Redeemer Part 4: The Judge as Our Model

Catholic Books from Our Library

Autobiography of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits Behold the Lamb, A Book for Little Folks About the Holy Mass, 1912 The Book of the Holy Rosary, as explained by the Church Fathers and prefigured in the Old Testament Catholic Bible Stories The Christian Father The Christian Mother The Confraternity of Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel called the Scapular, 1850 The Epistle of St. Jude with Catholic Exposition by Rev. John MacEvilly, 1891 The Excellence of the Rosary, Rev. M. J. Frings, 1912 The Holy Ways of the Cross by Henri Boudon, 1875 Homilies on the Book of Tobias Introduction to a Devout Life written by St. Francis De Sales

The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ by Rev. Clarke, 1889 Jesus of Nazareth, the Story of His Life: A Catholic Children's Book, 1906 The Little Book of the Most Holy Child Jesus Includes Preparation for Confession The Manual of the Sacred Heart Martin Luther & the Bible Martin Luther's Teaching and its Results, in his own words The Life of St. Aloysius Life of St. Bernard for Children Life of Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque The Life of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, by Dom Gueranger, 1866 The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Set Forth in Her Titles from the Litany of Loreto The Life of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, 1890 The Life of St. Pius V.

The Life of Father Isaac Jogues by Rev. Felix Martin The Little Flowers of St. Francis The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Joachim and St. Anne, 1859 The Life of St. Peter Alcantara and his Golden Treastise of Mental Prayer The Miraculous Medal the Origin and History The Mother of St. Augustine Our Lady of Good Counsel: Prayers, Litany and Book, "The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel" The Penitent Christian The Prodigal Son, the Sinner's Return to God Saint Josaphat, Martyr of Catholic Unity Short Catechism of Church History for Youth The Spirit of St. Teresa

The Spiritual Combat by Fr. Scupoli, 1865 The Story of Saint John Baptist de la Salle, 1921 St. Anthony of Padua, The Miracle-worker St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of India and Japan St. Leonard of Port Maurice and the Stations of the Cross St. Vincent Ferrer, his life, Spiritual Teaching, and Practical Devotion The Three Archangels and the Guardian Angels in Art, 1899 The Triumph of the Blessed Sacrament or Exorcism of Nicola Aubry, by Fr. Michael Muller The True Story of the Life of Christopher Columbus What is Liberalism The Sight of Hell, A Book for Children and Young Persons as well as Adults

Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Dogma of the Incarnation Rests on the Divine Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 30 Days Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary Ave Maris Stella Our Lady Refuge of Sinners The Espousal and Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God: Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of Ransom The Maternity of Mary The Annunciation Sermons of Fr. Weninger for the Annunciation The Purification The Mother of God The Humility of the Blessed Virgin of Mary The Assumption Octave of the Assumption 3 Sermons by Fr.Weninger The Dormition and Assumption of the B.V.M. Assumption: Additional Prayers and Devotions

Vigil of the Assumption Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Devotions in honor of the Queenship of Mary Mary Queen of All Saints Our Lady Queen of Angels What is it to be a Mother? Devotions to Our Lady of Guadalupe 2nd - 4th Days within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception Octave of the Immaculate Conception History and Defense of the Immaculate Conception Devotion in honor of the Immaculate Conception Prayers for Catholic Mothers In Defense of Mary The Mother of God I. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary II. Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary   I. Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary   II. Our Lady of Sorrows

The Sweetness of the Name of Mary The Holy Name of Mary The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Novena of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Snows Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Feast of the Scapular Translation of the Holy House of Loretto History of Our Lady of Mount Carmel The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary Our Lady of Lourdes Novena in Honor of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette Our Lady of La Salette Our Lady of Fatima Mary Help of Christians Perpetual Help

The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, from Candlemas until Advent Immaculate Conception Immaculate Heart Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Feast of the Holy Rosary The Excellence of the Rosary, Rev. M. J. Frings, 1912 Encyclical on the Recitation of the Rosary Prayers of Our Lady of the Rosary The History of the Rosary How to Say the Rosary Rosary Novenas Joyful Mysteries Sorrowful Mysteries Glorious Mysteries Ave Maria