Holy Saturday

[public domain]

Virgin of the Seven Sorrows, late 16th century

…because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12


Holy Saturday Prayer
to be Joined with Christ in Death

O Lord,
Your sorrowing Mother stood by Your Cross;
help us in our sorrows
to share Your sufferings.
Like the seed buried in the ground,
You have produced the harvest of eternal life for us;
make us always dead to sin and alive to God.
Shepherd of all,
in death you remained hidden from the world;
teach us to love our hidden spiritual life
with You and the Father.
In Your role as the new Adam,
You went down among the dead
to release all the just there since the beginning;
grant that all who are dead in sin
may hear Your voice and rise to new life.
Son of the living God,
You have allowed us through baptism
to be buried with You;
grant that we may also rise with You in baptism
and walk in newness of life.
Amen.

The Second Sunday of Lent

Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.

Pope Benedict XVI

Lenten Season – Pray the Holy Rosary

Easter Monday

[public domain]

Stigmates, by Mario Minniti, 1600’s

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19-23