Daily Archives: February 18, 2026

I did not have a big, splashy post ready to roll out at midnight this year. I figured the five of you who read this blog already know what to do for Lent. Nevertheless, I did want to post a few thoughts if they might in any way by beneficial to you.

Right off the bat, this Ash Wednesday has come upon me with many clear signs of Spring. I like to take these signs as a taste of hope from God. First, we have this:

As if that wasn’t enough, the Carolina wrens who have made their home in my mailbox seasonally for the past six years – yes, it is the same damn bird, I am sure – have once again decided to take up residence. How do I know? Well, I was walking out the front door and one of the little warblers scared the living daylights out of yours truly by flying frantically out of the partially ajar lid. I hate them and I also love them. Regardless of my feelings toward them, their actions indicate there will soon be eggs and hatchlings, and the like.

Also, it’s almost 80 degrees here so there’s that.

But now regarding the Holy Season directly…

Here’s what I’m doing. This is now the fourth year for me. It IS possible to do this and not die. And it’s really simple.

FAST.

Today it’s a complete fast. No food midnight to midnight. Tomorrow and following, it goes as follows. Sourdough bread at 3:00 and usually a little (smaller) bit more at 6:00. Occasional broth. Water, black coffee, black tea. That’s it until Holy Thursday when I return to a strict fast for 72 hours leading up to the Vigil.

I share all of this not out of pride. This is not my doing in any way. There is an abundance of grace available to all who attempt this simply because Our Lord promised it to us for this time. I’m not going to dig up the citations but you can find them for yourself. Lent is the time He asks us to give back to Him; so clearly He will make it possible. My own experience the past few years has shown me that. Side note: it is much more difficult for me to attempt a strict fast even one week after Easter. Trust in Him.

PRAY.

If you attend daily Mass, that’s wonderful. If you do not usually attend daily Mass, consider trying for Lent. I know this part can be the most difficult for many of us who do not live near a parish with a schedule matching our own. Make the effort, though, and you will be rewarded. Rosary? We all should be doing this every day anyway. ‘Nuff said. Morning prayers? Bedtime? We, I, have to take this seriously as death. Spiritual reading? Let’s get going. Lay out a structure and stick to it. If you fall, get back up. Speaking of spiritual reading, yesterday I posted a link to daily meditations. Here’s a gem from today’s.

Mortifications raise the soul to God. St. Francis de Sales used to say that a soul cannot ascend to the throne of God unless the flesh is mortified and depressed. There are many beautiful remarks on this subject in the Works of St. Teresa: “It would be a folly,” says this great Saint, “to think that God admits to His familiar friendship those who seek their own ease. Sensuality and prayer are incompatible. Souls who truly love God cannot desire repose.”

Death will come for each of us. Prepare now by your penances and mortifications to meet your Judge.

ALMSGIVING

I always struggle with this one. This year, I took advantage of an email that I kept receiving from the Discalced Carmelite Hermits of Fairfield, PA. I made a donation to them and in exchange I enrolled a few friends (and my own family) in 40 Masses, 40 days of prayer and vigils, and 40 days of penance. Here’s the link. It is not too late to enroll. I am certainly glad to know others are praying and mortifying themselves for my sake. I also, must do the same.

If there are other noble spiritual things I come across over these next six weeks I will certainly share them. I ask your prayers for me. Know that you are all in mine.

I would also like to share something that was just passed on to me. It’s from Dom Gueranger from around 140 years ago.

“…how few Christians we meet who are strict observers of Lent… even in its present mild form. And must there not result from this ever growing spirit of immortification a general effeminacy of character which will lead at last frightful social disorders. Those nations among whose people the spirit and practice of penance are extinct are heaping up against themselves the wrath of God and provoking His justice to destroy them by one or other of these scourges: civil discord or conquest. There is an inconsistency which must strike every thinking mind: the observance of the Lords Day on one hand, the observance of days of penance and fasting on the other. The Word of God is unmistakable: unless we do penance, we shall perish.

“May God in His Mercy and Goodness grant to each of us a holy Lent. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray that we may be made worthy of the Promises of Christ!”