Lent

In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living one’s life as a constant journey of conversion, choosing to walk in peace and hope aside one’s fellow humans. “May the hope that does not disappoint, the central message of the jubilee, be the focus of our Lenten journey toward the victory of Easter,” the pope said in the message, released Tuesday.  He also quoted St. Paul’s exclamation in the first letter to the Corinthians: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? W...

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Ash Wednesday is the first day of the 40 days of Lent dedicated to prayer, fasting, and reflection in preparation for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum. We pray that this day marks the beginning of your spiritual renewal.  Bookmark the link below and visit it often as you observe the wonderful season of Lent!  Feel free to share this link on social media NorwichDiocese.org/Lent

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The Way of the Cross The Diocesan Office of Faith Events invites you to join us virtually Friday nights during Lent as we pray together the Stations of the Cross with a different focus/lens each week.   ❖ March 7: Through the eyes of social justice ❖ March 14: Through the eyes of the suffering, ill and disabled ❖March 21: Through the eyes of immigrants, refugees ❖ March 28: Through the eyes of seniors ❖ April 4: Through the eyes of the bereaved ❖ Aprill 11: Through the eyes of Mary ❖ April 18: Through the eyes of Jesus The stations will begin at...

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An Unforgettable Speech I had the privilege of working at ESPN for 13 years, and during that time, I witnessed some incredible moments that transcended sports. One of the most powerful was Jim Valvano—Jimmy V—delivering his unforgettable speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards. Battling cancer, he spoke about what makes a good day: “Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you lau...

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A special mission at a Derby parish will include veneration of a first-class relic of St. Jude Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.  The relic, an arm bone of St. Jude’s right hand, can be venerated during the “St. Jude Mission, Mass and Veneration” from March 10 to 12 at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church, part of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish.  Born around the year 5 A.D., St. Jude is venerated as the patron saint of lost causes and desperate situations. His intercessions have inspired devotions for centur...

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As we approach Lent, please allow me to speak to all who carry the unbearable sadness and guilt of an abortion experience. Be assured that Jesus keeps on loving you, no matter what. The blessed ashes distributed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday remind us that we are all sinners; broken, imperfect, yet very precious in the eyes of God and so well loved by Him. The ashes are both a reminder of our need for repentance and the graces that flow from our Lord’s death and resurrection. Some stay away from the Church because they fear judgment of past sins. Yet as Pope Franc...

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