THE THIRD
SUNDAY OF
Nativity of Our Lord
LENT
ST. FRANCES OF ROME
C AT H O L I C C H U R C H & S C H O O L
1384 - 1440 | FEAST DAY: MARCH 9
8
Orazio Gentileschi, Vision of St Francesca Romana
FROM THE DESK
OF OUR PASTOR
Dear Parishioners,
On the next three Sundays we will be accompanying those who are preparing for baptism at the Easter
Vigil this year. Last Sunday they were entered in the Book of the Elect at the 9:30am Mass. The coming
weeks will bring the Scrutinies. These will take place at the 7:30am Mass on Sunday, March 8, the
9:30am Mass on Sunday, March 15, and the 11:30am Mass on Sunday, March 22 (see chart). Below is a
description from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults that explains the importance of these rites.
The Scrutinies
141 The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites for selfsearching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. The scrutinies are meant to uncover, and then heal
all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect; to bring out, then strengthen all that is upright, strong,
and good. For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect
them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. These rites,
therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out
their decision to love God above all.
142 Because they are asking for the three sacraments of initiation, the elect must have the intention of achieving
an intimate knowledge of Christ and his Church, and they are expected particularly to progress in genuine selfknowledge through serious examination of their lives and true repentance.
143 In order to inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption by Christ, three scrutinies are celebrated.
By this means, first of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world
and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. Second, their spirit
is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny),
the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of
Lazarus in the third scrutiny). From the first to the final scrutiny the elect should progress in their perception of sin
and their desire for salvation.
144 In the rite of exorcism, the elect, who have already learned from the Church as their mother the mystery of
deliverance from sin by Christ, are free from the effects of sin and from the influence of the devil. They receive new
strength in the midst of their spiritual journey and they open their hearts to receive the gifts of the Savior.
145 The priest or deacon who is the presiding celebrant should carry out the celebration in such a way that the
faithful in the assembly will also derive benefit from the liturgy of the scrutinies and join in the intercessions for the
elect.
From the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy and the Bishops'
Committee on the Liturgy, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Michael
Sunday, March 8
Sunday, March 15
Sunday, March 22
7:30am Mass
9:30am Mass
11:30am Mass
First Scrutiny
Second Scrutiny
Third Scrutiny
LITURGICAL
SCHEDULE
Mass Times:
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 7:30am,
9:30am, & 11:30am
Youth Mass 5:00pm
Daily Mass:
Monday-Thursday 7:30am
Friday & Saturday 8:00am
First Friday of the month: 12:00pm
Sacrament of Penance:
Saturday 8:30am & 3:00pm
Sunday 30 min. prior to each Mass
PARISH
OFFICE
900 Midway Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80020
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
www.nool.us
Phone: 303-469-5171
Fax: 303-469-5172
School: 303-466-4177
PLEASE NOTE!
Send all
bulletin information
to Jacquie Fankell at
[email protected]
by Tuesdays at noon.
Readings for this Week:
Sunday: Exodus 20:1-17; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25
Monday: 2 Kings 5:1-15ab; Luke 4:24-30
Tuesday: Daniel 3:25, 34-43; Matthew 18:21-35
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9; Matthew 5:17-19
Thursday: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23
Friday: Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34
Saturday: Hosea 6:1-6; Luke 18:9-14
Next Sunday: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Eph. 2:4-10; John 3:14-21
Pastor
Fr. Michael Carvill, ext. 114
[email protected]
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Accursio Ciaccio, ext. 111
[email protected]
In Residence
Fr. Gabriele Azzalin, ext. 101
[email protected]
Deacons
Leonard “Buz” Onesky, ext. 106
[email protected]
Steve Vallero
[email protected]
Executive Assistant to the Pastor
Lynne Gallagher, ext. 101
[email protected]
Business Manager
Kyle Hubbart, ext. 108
[email protected]
School Principal
Kathy Shadel, ext. 119
[email protected]
Director of Faith Formation
Mark Thomason, ext. 104
[email protected]
Development Director
Ilene DuBey, 303-641-3667
[email protected]
Director of Religious Education
Diane Irby, ext. 103
[email protected]
Director of Music
Marcia Marchesi, ext. 123
[email protected]
Parish Registrar
Merrilyn Sikora, ext. 110
[email protected]
Business Office Accountant
Carol Sullivan, ext. 109
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
Belinda Marquez-Salgado, ext. 100
[email protected]
Sue Gettings, ext. 100
[email protected]
IT Specialist
Jim DuBey, ext. 115
[email protected]
Pastoral Communications Associate
Jacquie Fankell, ext. 135
[email protected]
Promoter of Works of Charity
Maura Johnson
[email protected]
Parish Sacristan
Marylou Sivigliano, ext. 136
[email protected]
Youth Ministry Assistant
Diane Denfeld
[email protected]
THIS WEEK
AT NATIVITY
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday, March 7
8:00am Fr. Gabriele Azzalin by Mary C. Baylie
4:30pm †Vernon Archuleta by Denise Trujillo & Family
Sunday, March 8
7:30am Vi Rask by Paul & Maria Rask
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am †Berthita Soto by the Soto Family
5:00pm †Martin Gallegos by Vicki Dare
Monday, March 9
6:30am †Trudy Otterson by George Otterson
7:30am †Timothy Mockler by Clara Miller
Tuesday, March 10
6:30am †John Goberis by Verna Coffey & family
7:30am Patrick & Joan Bridges
Wednesday, March 11
6:30am †Vincent Sweeney by Jim & Evelyn Green
7:30am †Richard & Evelyn Werner by Joe & Carol Dankey
Thursday, March 12
6:30am Josefina Gramirez by the Soto Family
7:30am Marylou Sivigliano by Deacon Dick
Friday, March 13
6:30am †Deacon Dick by Belinda & Patrick Salgado
8:00am †Herbert A. Nemann by Susan Bann
Saturday, March 14
8:00am MMP Cenacle by Jackie Schuster
4:30pm Gabriel Fritz by Mom & Dad
Sunday, March 15
7:30am †June Curran by John Curran
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am †Elizabeth & Dominguez Family by the Soto Family
5:00pm †Helen Pimple by the Admire Family
Prayers for the sick and for the deceased:
We pray for all who are sick, and for our deceased relatives and friends
that they may speedily attain the blessedness of heaven and rejoice in the
eternal treasure of God’s glory and love.
If you have any prayer requests, please contact Connie Modecker
at 303-404-1792 or Joanne Farver at 303-466-8859 to be included on
Nativity's Prayerline.
Collection Counters this week: John Spanich, Jeanette
Nansel, Shannon Spinuzzi, & Roger Dickerson
Sacristy Laundry this week: Carol Dankey
Collection Counters next week: Robbie Zerr, Irene Zerr,
Patricia Greene, & Thomas Greene
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, March 8
RCIA First Scrutiny 7:30am
Baptisms 12:45pm
Choir Rehearsal 3:00pm
CL School of Community 3:30pm
High School Youth 6:00pm
Monday, March 9
Endow 8:00am
Endow 10:30am
Confirmation Class C1 6:00pm
Sojourners - Theology on Tap 7:00pm
Women's Guild Lenten Event 7:30pm
Tuesday, March 10
MJ Bible Study 1:00pm
Religious Education 4:30pm
RCIA Class 6:30pm
Religious Education 6:30pm
Apologetics 7:00pm
Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 11
St. Joseph's Men's Group 5:30am
Endow 8:00am
LACE 8:00am
ESL Class 10:00am
Religious Education 4:30pm
Courageous Women Bible Study 4:30pm
Children's Choir 5:30pm
Religious Education 6:30pm
Venturers of the Star 6:30pm
Thursday, March 12
MJ Bible Study 8:00am
Endow 8:30am
Adoration 12:00pm
Choir Rehearsal 5:30pm
School of Community 6:30pm
Biblical School 7:00pm
CL Choir 8:00pm
Friday, March 13
Endow 9:15am
ESL Class 10:00am
Saturday, March 14
MASH 7:00am
Pro-life Rosary 7:30am
Choir Rehearsal 3:00pm
Sunday, March 15
RCIA First Scrutiny 9:30am
Baptisms 12:45pm
Choir Rehearsal 3:00pm
CL School of Community 3:30pm
High School Youth 6:00pm
PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - ADMINISTRATION
Nativity of Our Lord is currently seeking a full-time Pastoral Associate to support the changing and growing
administrative needs of the Parish. This position would suit a candidate with a can-do attitude, who is self
motivated with great communication skills (both verbal and written), has an eye for detail, has initiative and
takes pride in his or her work, is well organized, can provide a professional, welcoming, and supportive focus in
his or her daily work, and is an active practicing Catholic. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter
and resume to Kyle Hubbart, Business Manager at [email protected].
FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE
Choral Lenten Music at the 9:30 and 11:30am Masses:
February 22 "What Brings Us Together" (Althouse) - 9:30am
"Wash Me Throughly" (Wesley) - 11:30am
March 1 "Be Thou My Vision" (Sexton) - 9:30am
"Lord, Who For Thy Tender Mercy's Sake" (Farrant) - 11:30am
March 8 "God So Loved the World" (Stainer)
March 15 "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" (Forrest)
March 22 "Turn Thy Face From My Sins (Attwood)
All are welcome!
Choir rehearsals take
place in the church every
Wednesday night at
7:00pm. Rehearsals are
open to anyone who wishes
to sit in, or just listen from
the pews. Come check us
out during Lent!
LATEST
UPDATES
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD?
The mission of Nativity of Our Lord School is to continue the ministry of Jesus Christ within the tradition of our
Catholic heritage in order to educate the whole person, spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Have you considered Catholic School for your child? Nativity of Our Lord offers and excellent
core curriculum based on national standards as prescribed by the Archdiocese of Denver. Academic
subjects for all grades include Religion, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Reading/Literature,
and Language Arts (which encompass grammar, composition, and spelling.) In addition students are
instructed in Art, Music, Physical Education, and Computers. Nativity students consistently score
above grade level on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.
Students at Nativity learn the importance of stewardship through many service activities throughout
the school year. Our students also have opportunities to put their faith into practice through activities
such as Rosary Club, Altar Club, and liturgy planning. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities
provide additional opportunities for students to explore their interests and become well-rounded
individuals.
The Nativity School administration and faculty are all licensed in their area of expertise and continue
to enhance their abilities through classes and in-services. The discipline and order of our devoted
teachers and staff provide a safe environment and increase receptivity to learning.
We currently have openings in most grades and we are accepting registration for the 2015-2016
school year. If you are interested, please call Mrs. Mary Mott in the school office at 303-466-4177 or
visit us at www.school.nool.us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
& ANNOUNCEMENTS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
MIDDLE SCHOOL VACATION
The Middle School Vacation is an awesome opportunity for Nativity’s middle schoolers to come together for
a week and spend time playing games, going on a hike, learning more about their faith, singing songs, and
entering into friendly competition with one another. It will take place from June 15 through June 19 at Peaceful
Valley Ranch in Lyons, CO. For more information and to register, go to www.nool.us.
TOTUS
TUUS
2015
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH
All middle schoolers are invited to join us on
Wednesday nights for Venturers of the Star. We meet
from 6:30-8:00pm at the Frassati House for songs,
games, discussion, and a learning session led by Fr.
Accu. Contact: Diane at [email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
Our high school group meets Sundays at the Frassati
House from 6:00-8:00pm for a meeting led by Fr.
Michael. We enjoy dinner, play a game, and then
discuss an aspect of our faith together. With questions,
contact Diane at [email protected].
NEW DATES: JULY 26-31
Grades 1-6: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 2:30pm
Grades 7-12: Sun-Thur 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Cost: $28 · Go to www.nool.us to register!
ALTAR SERVERS
Nativity welcomes boys and girls from the third grade up to be altar servers. If you have any interest in serving,
or are currently an altar server, please email Joe and Thomas at [email protected].
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
LACE BOOK CLUB
All are invited to join the book club as we journey through Lent following Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth
from the Baptism to theTransfiguration. At the March 11 meeting the discussion will be on chapters five and six.
Please join us after the 7:30am Mass every Wednesday during Lent. We will review two chapters each week.
Newcomers are always welcome. With questions, please call Jackie at 303-410-1136 or Ann at 303-451-5219.
NATIVITY WIDOWS
Brunch will be on March 11 at 11:00am at the Egg and I (799 Hwy 287) in Broomfield. Please RSVP by March
9 to Mary Baylie at 303-466-1125 or Genny Lane at 303-466-9377. All widows are welcome.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SOUP AND BREAD SUPPER
follwed by The Stations of the Cross
Parishioners, come join us as the Knights of Columbus
will be serving soup and bread at 6:00pm before the
Friday Stations of the Cross. This will take place
every Friday through the remainder of Lent with the
exception of Good Friday.
FREE GROUP FITNESS CLASS!
Tetro Performance is offering
free group fitness classes here at
Nativity on Mondays March 16
and 30. Class time is from 6:30-7:30pm. Classes will
be designed for all fitness levels to enjoy. All you need
to bring is a yoga mat (optional) and a bottle of water.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Next week the Archdiocese has scheduled a speical collection for Catholic Relief Services. We will
contribute a given amount from parish tithing, but if you wish to make a further contribution, please
put your offering in a white envelope and mark it for this collection.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BURRITO SALE
The Knights of Columbus will be selling burritos this weekend, March 7-8, after all Masses (until they run out
of burritos). For information on the Knights, call Phil Georgen at 303-469-8156, Leo Albiniak at 720-420-0623,
or Robert Bruchez at 303-469-2147. Our website is www.kofc10961.org.
PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH: travel size personal care products
There is always a need for certain items, like the ones above, at FISH and the Samaritan Shelter. Please bring your
products to the church and place them in the labeled basket downstairs.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS VIDEO CONTEST
Holy Family High School is participating in an
opportunity to win a new recruitment video worth
$10,000 from One Billion Stories, whose mission is to
“inspire the world with ‘one billion Catholic stories on
earth.” It’s so easy to help! Just go to the following
link between February 17 to March 20 for more
information and to register your entry in support of
Holy Family High School: www.onebillionstories.
com/catholic-schools-video-contest.
TIGER GALA: VIVA HOLY FAMILY
The 24th Annual Tiger Gala will be held Saturday,
April 11 at the Westin Westminster with cocktails and
the silent auction at 5:00pm and dinner and dancing
at 7:00pm. Join us as we celebrate our 2015 Tiger
Gala "Viva Holy Family" and applaud our students'
impact on the school community and beyond. Go to
our website, www.HolyFamilyHS.com/gala, to
purchase tickets/sponsorships or donate items to the
Silent Auction. Or call us at 303-410-1411.
GROWING HOME
We will be hosting the Growing Home families from
April 12 through 18. This is a Ministry that Nativity
has been involved with for the last 11 years. We Host
the families for one week at a time for four times a
year. These are newly homeless families who just need
some time to get back on their feet. We are always
ready to welcome new volunteers and appreciate
our loyal long time volunteers. Any questions please
call Pam Detlefsen at 303-466-5226 or by email at
[email protected].
PARISHIONERS:
The Funeral Committee is looking
for more helpers to prepare and serve
luncheons after funerals. People who
are available during the day are an ideal
fit for this ministry. Those who work flexible hours
and/or the newly-retired are encouraged to explore
this opportunity. Please consider joining us in this
gratuitous ministry in serving Christ. Contact Linda
Kent at 303-469-2979 or Nicki Battista at 303-4690670 to sign up or with any questions about our group.
Online Giving
Nativity participates in an online giving program that serves as a consistent, reliable means of making your offering to our parish.
To give online:
1. Visit our website www.nool.us.
2. Click on the Online Giving button on the right sidebar.
3. Complete the registration.
Questions?
Contact Kyle Hubbart at
[email protected].
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
From February 18 through March 29 you’re invited to
join other Christians for 40 days of prayer and fasting
for an end to abortion. Stand and peacefully pray
outside Planned Parenthood of the Rockies, (7155 E.
38th Ave/ Denver) or in front of the Boulder Abortion
Clinic (1130 Alpine Ave., Boulder). Contact: info@
colorado4life.info. To sign up for a time slot go to
www.40DaysforLife.com and register.
Please join Nativity Parishioners on Tuesday mornings
throughout the campaign in vigil prayer in front of
the Boulder Abortion Clinic. We will carpool from
Nativity after the 7:30am mass. Please meet in the
gathering area. Questions or to arrange a prayer
partner for another time please contact Carrie Kudrna
720-261-7622.
NOTICE OF TIME CHANGE!
WOMEN'S GUILD LENTEN EVENT
is scheduled for Monday, March 9,
2015, at 7:30pm in the church. A
special singing of the "Way of the
Cross-Our Lady of Lourdes" and
the singing of the Divine Mercy Chaplet highlight
this event. Presenters are Deacon Buz and Jane
Gardner with Joe Pointek on the piano.
All parishioners are invited to participate in this
spiritual presentation. With questions, call Nicki
Battista 303-469-0670.
MORNING PRAYER
Morning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours will be
prayed daily during lent from 7:10am to 7:25am in the
church. Come and join us. Books are provided and no
prior experience with praying the Liturgy of the Hours
is necessary. Questions can be directed to Marylou
Sivigliano at [email protected].
HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
PROJECT RACHEL POST ABORTION
HEALING HOTLINE: 303-388-4491 ext. 153
Open 24 hours to women and men.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Becky Kusick, M.A., L.P.C., offers counseling services
through Nativity. Becky has a Master’s Degree in
Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Professional
Counselor. She has worked in the field for over 20
years. Becky works with couples, children, and adults.
For more information or for an appointment,
call 303-907-6499.
DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE?
A Stephen Minister is a trained volunteer ready
to listen in a non-judgmental way while maintaining
strict confidentiality. Through a caring relationship,
those who are hurting receive the love and support they
need. A Stephen Minister can help you realize that
God always cares. If you are going through hard times
due to loss of a loved one, unemployment, depression,
addiction, or any other reason, call today and ask for a
Stephen Minister. Please call 303-469-5171, ext.
113 and leave a confidential message. Your call
will be returned within 48 hours.
Be sure to go to our website, www.nool.us, and sign up for Flocknote to receive current information!
We communicate with
FLOCKNOTE
Go to our website, www.nool.us, and sign up for Flocknote
if you want to receive up-to-date information about Nativity!
OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE PARISH
ILLUMINATA PRAISE AND WORSHIP
All are welcome to join us for an evening of illuminata praise and worship led by Fr. Joe Doman at Immaculate
Heart of Mary (11385 Grant Dr, Northglenn) on March 14 at 7:00pm. For more information, contact the
Immaculate Heart's parish office at 303-452-2041.
LENTEN RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE PARISH:
LENTEN RETREAT
Endow and the Archdiocese of Denver invite all men
and women to a unique half-day Lenten retreat which
allows participants to step away from the busyness
of their lives to reflect with Pope Saint John Paul II
on the message of joy and hope in suffering. During
this retreat, we will explore the various ways that we
experience suffering in the world, its origins, and our
quest for its meaning. Pope Saint John Paul II will
show us how it is only in Christ that we can hope to
find any meaning and purpose in our experience of
suffering. Join us Saturday, March 14 from 8:30am to
2:00pm. Location: John Paul II Center for the New
Evangelization, Bonfils Hall (1300 S Steele Street,
Denver, CO 80110). To Register for this retreat please
visit www.endowgroups.org and find it under the
‘Events’ tab.
15TH WOMEN'S JOURNEY RETREAT
You are invited to join Catholic and Christian women
and priests Msgr. Ken Leone and Fr. John Lager to
reflect on your lives and spiritual journeys. The retreat
will take place on March 13-15 at the YMCA of the
Rockies in Estes Park. Registration is available online
at www.coloradocatholicretreats.org.
FRANCIS AND THE FOLLY OF THE CROSS
Please join the Sisters of St. Francis (Marycrest)
on Saturday, March 21 from10:00am-3:00pm at
5314 N Columbine Rd., Denver, 80221. Ponder
“Lent” this year as we explore spring and find ways
to nurture our faith. Light lunch provided. Goodwill offering appreciated. Limited Space--RSVP by
March 16 to Donna at 303-458-6270 or donnak@
franciscanway.org.
HOLY FATHER’S
GENERAL AUDIENCE
POPE FRANCIS
ST. PETER'S SQUARE
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015
ANGELUS
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Last Wednesday, with the rite of Ashes, Lent began,
and today is the First Sunday of this Liturgical Season
which refers to the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert,
after his Baptism in the River Jordan. St. Mark writes
in today’s Gospel: “The Spirit immediately drove him
out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness
forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the
wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him” (1:1213). With these simple words the Evangelist describes
the trials willingly faced by Jesus before he began his
messianic mission. It is a trial from which the Lord
leaves victorious and which prepares him to proclaim
the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. In these 40 days
of solitude, he confronts Satan “body to body”, He
unmasks his temptations and conquers him. And
through Him, we have all conquered, but we must
protect this victory in our daily lives.
The Church reminds us of that mystery at the
beginning of Lent, so that it may give us the
perspective and the meaning of this Time, which is a
time of combat. Lent is a time of combat! A spiritual
combat against the spirit of evil (cf. Collective Prayer
for Ash Wednesday). And while we cross the Lenten
“desert,” we keep our gaze fixed upon Easter, which
is the definitive victory of Jesus against the Evil One,
against sin and against death. This is the meaning of
this First Sunday of Lent: to place ourselves decisively
on the path of Jesus, the road that leads to life. To look
at Jesus. Look at what Jesus has done and go with Him.
Lent is a time of combat! A
spiritual combat against the
spirit of evel. And while we
cross the Lenten "desert," we
keep our gaze fixed upon Easter,
which is the definitive story
of Jesus against the Evil One,
against sin and against death.
This path of Jesus passes through the desert. The
desert is the place where the voice of God and the
voice of the tempter can be heard. In the noise, in the
confusion, this cannot be done; only superficial voices
can be heard. Instead we can go deeper in the desert,
where our destiny is truly played out, life or death.
And how do we hear the voice of God? We hear it
in his Word. For this reason, it is important to know
Scripture, because otherwise we do not know how to
react to the snares of the Evil One. And here I would
like to return to my advice of reading the Gospel every
day. Read the Gospel every day! Meditate on it for a
little while, for 10 minutes. And also to carry it with
you in your pocket or your purse.... But always have
the Gospel at hand. The Lenten desert helps us to say
‘no’ to worldliness, to the “idols”, it helps us to make
courageous choices in accordance with the Gospel and
to strengthen solidarity with the brothers.
Now let us enter into the desert without fear, because
we are not alone: we are with Jesus, with the Father
and with the Holy Spirit. In fact, as it was for Jesus, it is
the Holy Spirit who guides us on the Lenten journey;
that same Spirit that descended upon Jesus and that
has been given to us in Baptism.
Lent, therefore is an appropriate time that should
lead us to be ever more aware of how much the Holy
Spirit, received in Baptism, has worked and can work
in us. And at the end of the Lenten itinerary, at the
Easter Vigil, we can renew with greater awareness the
Baptismal covenant and the commitments that flow
from it.
May the Blessed Virgin, model of docility to the Spirit,
help us to let ourselves be led by Him, who wishes to
make each of us a “new creature”.
To her I entrust, in particular, the week of Spiritual
Exercises, that will begin this afternoon, and in which
I shall participate with my collaborators of the Roman
Curia. I ask that you pray for us, that in this “desert”
of the Spiritual Exercises, we may listen to the voice
of Jesus, and also correct the many defects that we
have. And also to confront the temptations that attack
us every day. I ask you therefore to accompany us with
your prayers.