Let us imitate the penitents of the primitive Church, and during these remaining days of Lent, consolidate the foundations of the new life we have begun.
On June 7, 1925, an unknown Irish manual laborer named Matt Talbot collapsed and died on a public street while walking to Mass. Ninety-nine years later, his story is providing true hope to alcoholics and addicts, and with God’s grace, maybe to you as well.
Let us give glory to God, who has endowed water with the heavenly power it now possesses; let us praise him for the wonderful workings of his grace, which produces in docile hearts that Faith whose recompense is so magnificent.
The torch of faith has been removed from Israel, but it has not been extinguished. Let us live in its light, and merit by our humility that its rays ever shine upon us.
All are waiting for the favorable moment. Jesus will soon be with them, and will say to each of them: 'Wilt thou be made whole?' Let them answer this question with love and confidence, and they will be healed.
Moses and Elias fast for forty days and forty nights, because God bids them come near to him. We cannot, therefore, be surprised that the Church – in order to fit us for this favor, at the Easter Solemnity – bids us go through a preparation of forty days.