LENTEN CYBER RETREAT - WEEK VI (4/9)
Lent Week VI - Holy Orders
http://ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/catechism/index.html#400
Overall Petition for the Cyber Retreat
That faithful sharing in the Sacramental Life of the Church may form us all to be a clear witness of the truth of the Gospel and of the power of the Spirit of Jesus to bring light and healing to our world.
Focus on the Sacrament: Holy Orders
Image of St. Joseph: Foster Father of Jesus
Of all the titles of Joseph, the name “Father” is the most important. It was the role that gives him the greatest honor. His human life served for Jesus as the clear image of the Father. When Jesus spoke to Joseph, He called him “abba.” When Jesus spoke of His Heavenly Father, He chose to use the same word, calling God “Abba” and inviting us to do the same. Joseph’s vocation was to be the foster father of the Son of God in the flesh. He gave Jesus all that an earthly father can give – love, protection, education in the ways of the world and in the ways of Faith – and in so doing, he mirrored the Love of God. Each of us has a unique part to play in the unfolding of Salvation History. Joseph’s role and his willing fulfillment of all that God asked of him is a model for us. May we all respond as Joseph did and mirror God’s Love to all we meet!
Petition for Week VI – That all who approach the Easter Sacraments may be filled with joy and become a reminder to the whole world that Jesus is alive in us.
Questions to consider:
How do the Sacraments form me as a witness to the Gospel?
What new insights do the Sacraments offer me as I seek to know God better?
Where do I experience healing in the Sacraments?
Who is waiting for my invitation to share the Sacramental Life of the Church?
What new commitment is the Lord asking of me through the Sacraments I live?
How do the witness of St. Joseph and model of the Holy Family encourage me to persevere?
What Mystery of the Rosary touches me in a particular way this week?
What Mystery of the Rosary touches me in a particular way this week?
Resources for Lent from the US Catholic Bishops:
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/
Pope Francis’ Lenten Message:
https://zenit.org/articles/popes-message-for-lent-2017/
Holy Week - Passion Sunday, April 9, 2017
Year A Readings - Procession & Mass
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040917.cfm
Find out when your Diocese/Archdiocese celebrates the Chrism Mass this week. It is properly a Mass of Holy Thursday Morning, but may be celebrated earlier in the week so that the whole people of the Local Church may attend – clergy, religious and laity.
Mysteries of the Rosary for Each Day
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/rosaries/index.cfm
4/10, Monday: The Joyful Mysteries
The Annunciation, Visitation and Birth of Jesus speak to us of Mary’s response to God’s grace. Mercy is received for the human race in its fullness and she shares it with the world.
4/11, Tuesday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar and the Crowning with Thorns point to the willingness of Jesus to do His Father’s Will, whatever the cost, and of our rejection of Him through sin.
4/12, Wednesday: The Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection, the Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit show us the power of God to raise our human nature to a sharing in His Glory.
**THE EASTER TRIDUUM**
4/13 Thursday: The Luminous Mysteries (The Mysteries of Light)
The Baptism of the Lord, the Wedding Feast of Cana, the Proclamation of the Gospel and the Call to Conversion, the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper show us the way in which Jesus revealed the Sacramental Life He has given to the Church. Divine Life is shared in human experiences.
HOLY THURSDAY - ATTEND THE EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Chrism Mass:
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041317-chrism-mass.cfm
Mass of the Lord’s Supper:
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041317-lords-supper.cfm
4/14 Friday: The Sorrowful Mysteries
The Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion bring to conclusion Jesus’ full embrace of our human experience. We are invited to imitate Him as we experience our own burdens and sufferings in the earthly journey.
GOOD FRIDAY - ATTEND THE LITURGY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041417.cfm
A Day of Fast and Abstinence from meat with the whole Church.
The Divine Mercy Novena Begins today.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm
Pray today for All mankind, especially sinners
4/15, Saturday: The Joyful Mysteries
The Presentation of Jesus and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple both show the importance of bringing our children into an awareness of their relationship with God.
HOLY SATURDAY - ATTEND THE EASTER VIGIL
How do you experience being set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness?
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041517.cfm
Pray for those newly initiated into the Sacramental Life of the Church.
Pray today for the souls of priests and religious.
4/16, Sunday: The Glorious Mysteries
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth make known to us that we are already sharers in the Divine Life that will be ours in Eternity. Mary is our Mother in the order of Grace. She prompts us to open our hearts to her Son.
EASTER SUNDAY: Worship with the community.
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041617.cfm
Pray for the Neophytes, those newly baptized and received into Full Communion in the Church.
Note that the Cyber Retreat continues until Divine Mercy Sunday.