40 Days

You do not want to miss Pope Benedict's message for Lent of 2009. Recalling that the first command given to us was a command of fasting ("You shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil") in which we crashed and burned, Benedict shows that fasting becomes one of the key ways of repairing what was lost through sin. Insightful and invigorating, the Holy Father's message is an excellent way to launch into this new season.

For those of you who followed with joy last year's Station Masses and are grieved that my current Lenten pilgrimage leaves me far from the churches of Rome, Fear Not! This year's coverage has been upgraded and improved by Father Tim Laboe, who is chronicling each day's visit on his blog, not merely with dreary text, but with video! Complete with commentary and glimpses into history, you can see the first of the installments here--and be sure to bookmark it to return for each day's addition.

Many blessings in this new season!