by Theresa Cavicchio
For Christians all over the world, meditating on the crucifix takes on an even greater significance during the season of Lent, and particularly so as we approach the holiest days of our Church year. One crucifix which lends itself to reflection on a deeply spiritual level is the one known as the San Damiano Crucifix.
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March 31
Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother’s prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.
For Reflection:
Mary has assured us of her maternal intercession and God assures us forgiveness of our sins when we truly repent. However, the evil one seeks to steal all assurance from us. He does this in three ways: discouragement, distrust, doubt. Discouragement because we are afraid we now can never acquire a deep union with God; distrust that God will treat us less favorably now and that He will be niggardly in the grace He gives us; doubt that God has forgiven us at all because our sin is so great.
To what extent is any one of these true of you? Read Rev. 21:5-6. Journal your insights, inspirations, and consolations.
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Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”
Jesus answered him,
“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,
though you will follow later.”
Peter said to him,
“Master, why can I not follow you now?
I will lay down my life for you.”
Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?
Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow
before you deny me three times.”
- Jn 13:36-38
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It’s all so predictable – the week before Easter and it’s either the release of an outrageous film about Jesus being married or the annual Easter Sunday Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary contest sponsored by the witless Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence – now it’s Satan Sneakers that come equipped with pentagons and a drop of real human blood in the soles.
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March 30
Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
Lest in flames I burn and die,
In His awe-full judgment day.
For Reflection:
How are you assured that Our Lady will be “nigh” to you on your judgment day? Journal your interior response.
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March 29
Wounded with His every wound,
Steep my soul till it has swooned
In His very Blood away.
For Reflection:
Read Mark’s account of the Passion. Underline or circle all of the wounds of Christ – physical, emotional, psychological. Which of these wounds have you experienced? How? Unite each of these sufferings to the wounds of Jesus and ask that the Precious Blood shed for you on Calvary’s hill will fill you with the healing balm of the Holy Spirit.
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March 28
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Let me, to my latest breath,
In my body bear the death
Of your dying Son divine.
For Reflection:
To die with Christ and be risen in Him is the quest of every holy soul. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the greatest aids in making this holy desire our final reality. It helps us advance in virtue, grow in self-knowledge, attain true humility, uproot bad habits, prevent spiritual negligence, combat apathy, purify our conscience, strengthen our will, receive spiritual direction, and acquire the grace of the Sacrament itself (Mystici Corporis).
Of the benefits of the Sacrament listed above, which do I most need? Which would others tell me I most need? Journal your insights.
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March 27
Virgin of all virgins blest!
Listen to my fond request:
Let me share your grief divine.
For Reflection:
To enter more deeply into the hearts of Jesus and Mary and to experience the treasury of grace that is found there we must stay united to Christ. Father Faber outlines three ways we can fall away from Jesus and put ourselves in spiritual peril: 1) by breaking away from Him through sin; 2) by letting the attractions of the world become greater than attraction to Him; 3) by slowly distancing ourselves from Him by imperceptible degrees.
Make a serious examination of conscience according to these three perils. Make a good Act of Contrition and then avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as you can.
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I was at a conference recently and one of the attendees said she kept the prayer of Jabez affixed to her bathroom mirror and wanted to know if this prayer is okay.
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March 26
Savior, when my life shall leave me,
Through your mother's prayers receive me
With the fruits of victory.
For Reflection:
Consider the above stanza in light of these words written by Reverend Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange: … At the hour of death, that supreme moment when the soul’s destiny is decided, the Blessed Virgin Mary bears in mind the love that has been shown to her, recalling how her servants have said to her time and time again: ‘Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death’. She holds them up in the struggle of their last agony and defends them against the devil… inspires them with true contrition … and when they have died she watches over them in purgatory that she may lead them at last into heaven.”
To what extent do I offer no resistance to Mary’s good inspirations? To what extent have I recommended myself to her? What hope does this give me?
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