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Tuesday, February 12, 2013
  • Pope Benedict Announces He Will Resign
    VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of the month. "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have ...
    FULL STORY         		(CNS photo/Paul Haring)
    Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he will resign at the end of the month.
  • Pope's Pontificate Marked by Teaching, Call to Return to Faith
    VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During his almost eight-year pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI impressed the world as a teacher, guiding Catholics to the sources of the faith and urging modern society not to turn its back on God. Citing his age and diminishing energy, the 85-year-old ...
    FULL STORY         		(CNS photo/Reuters)
    Pope Benedict XVI pictured during the 2005 World Youth Day in Germany.
  • Holy Land Catholics, Orthodox to Celebrate as One
    JERUSALEM (CNS) — Ghassan Rafidi, 53, remembers enjoying celebrating Easter twice as a child in his village of Jifna. "We had two times to celebrate and two vacations. My father's family gave us gifts on the Greek Orthodox date, and my mother's family on the ...
    FULL STORY         		(CNS photo/Debbie Hill)
    Christian pilgrims carry palm branches during the Palm Sunday procession in 2012 in Jerusalem.
  • Jesus' Command: 'Give Them Some Food'
    By mid-February, Catholics everywhere will be thinking Lent. It’s a time of the year when we aren’t squeamish about being Catholic, whether it’s wearing ashes on Ash Wednesday, observing meatless Fridays, or giving up something special and not fretting if people know about it. It’s a ...
    FULL STORY         		Photo by John Feister
  • Released Files Focus Attention on LA Church's Abuse Response
    LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The release of thousands of pages of personnel files by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles detailing allegations of clergy sexual abuse has focused new attention on the roles of church leaders and their handling of the cases over four decades. A ...
    FULL STORY         		(CNS photo/David McNew, Reuters)
    People hold quilts at a press conference outside of a L.A. cathedral for victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Got Lent Questions?


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Join Franciscan Father Don Miller at 10 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 13, as Franciscan Media presents its first-ever free online event!
  Click here to register.
  Visit our Lent FAQs
  More Lent features
AMERICAN CATHOLIC BLOG
Pope Benedict XVI Resigns
This will be a print-social-media-first....within minutes of Benedict's announcement the net lit up with Twitter feeds and Facebook posts.
 
Lent is Almost Here
Lent starts on Wednesday. Are you ready for a 40-day spiritual workout?
 
A Bronzed Faith?
Genuine relationships cannot remain stagnant.
 
Visit Our Blog
Apollonia: The persecution of Christians began in Alexandria during the reign of the Emperor Philip. The first victim of the pagan mob was an old man named Metrius, who was tortured and then stoned to death. The second person who refused to worship their false idols was a Christian woman named Quinta. Her words infuriated the mob and she was scourged and stoned. <p>While most of the Christians were fleeing the city, abandoning all their worldly possessions, an old deaconess, Apollonia, was seized. The crowds beat her, knocking out all of her teeth. Then they lit a large fire and threatened to throw her in it if she did not curse her God. She begged them to wait a moment, acting as if she was considering their requests. Instead, she jumped willingly into the flames and so suffered martyrdom.</p><p>There were many churches and altars dedicated to her. Apollonia is the patroness of dentists, and people suffering from toothache and other dental diseases often ask her intercession. She is pictured with a pair of pincers holding a tooth or with a golden tooth suspended from her necklace. St. Augustine explained her voluntary martyrdom as a special inspiration of the Holy Spirit, since no one is allowed to cause his or her own death.</p> American Catholic Blog Lord, help me to respond to your great love for me with true gratitude and trust. As Lent begins, I want to deepen my understanding of what it means to be part of your covenant family.
 
PICKS OF THE WEEK
New for Lent!
Take a fresh look at Lent with St. Francis as your guide.
New for Lent!
Make the most of Lent and experience it through the lens of discipleship. 
New for Lent!
Scott Hahn brings you Lenten reflections from a Father who keeps his promises.
New book
Learn what the New Evangelization means for you!
New book
Discover the Bible's stories and mine its wisdom.
The Pope Who Quit
Jon Sweeney's fascinating account of the true story of Pope Celestine V.
Click here for the audiobook.
More on Pope Benedict's resignation

FRANCISCAN REFLECTIONS
Brother Al, once a New Yorker, remembered the vendor carts plying their goods in New York and the well-known Passover song ...
"That which seemed bitter to me was changed for me into sweetness of soul and body."
 
ST. ANTHONY MESSENGER

The Journey Through Grief
Jesus’ resurrection points the way.

 
CATHOLIC GREETINGS
Mardi Gras
Promise this Lent to do one thing to become more aware of God in yourself and in others.
Our Lady of Lourdes
Celebrate our Blessed Mother who never tires of interceding on our behalf.
World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Use this economical service anytime to communicate with housebound friends and relatives.
Carnivale
Create a festive atmosphere and invite friends over for one last party before the Lenten fast.
St. Josephine Bakhita
Today we honor the first saint from the Sudan, who was a model of piety and humility.

BIBLE REFLECTIONS
Sharing the Word - Franciscan Media Productions
Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Bringing Home the Word
Nothing and Everything Before God
Sunday, February 10, 2013
When we’re in right relationship with the God of the covenant, the rest of our priorities fall into place.
More Bible Reflections
 
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