Tips for Lent from a bishop

Now that we are one whole day into Lent, I bring your attention to something posted on the USCCB blog by His Excellency Most Rev. David Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay and chairman of the Committee on Evangelization.

Remember that whole “New Evangelization” thing that is supposed to take place?

In any even Bp. Ricken has a few good tips for Lent. I will give you the bullet points and you can go over there to read the rest.

1. Remember the formula. …
2. It’s a time of prayer. …
3. It’s a time to fast. …
4. It’s a time to work on discipline. …
5. It’s about dying to yourself. …
6. Don’t do too much. …
7. Lent reminds us of our weakness. …
8. Be patient with yourself. …
9. Reach out in charity. …
10. Learn to love like Christ. …

Good tips!

I prefer old-fashioned language such as “perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy” to “reach out in charity”, but he’s got it. I tend to think of “discipline” in the more ancient sense of Latin disciplina, but he’s got it. Don’t do too much, is good practical advise. You can always add to what you start with. Sometimes people try too much and they become discouraged.

Go read the rest over there.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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One Comment

  1. heway says:

    Sent this to my pastor as an excellent bulletin addition…gracias

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