There is more to this saint than the holiday celebrations which include traditional Irish foods and parades. Listen to his story. This month, in honor of St. Patrick (patron saint of Ireland) pray a traditional Irish Blessing at the end of a visit or when saying good-bye to friends.
Traditional Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you; May the wind be always at your back; May the sun shine warm upon your face; May the rain fall soft upon your fields; And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
Lent
What is Lent?
Lent is our time of preparation. A 40-day journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, Lent is a journey that spans Ash Wednesday through Holy Week, culminating in the great celebration of Easter. As Catholics, the spiritual pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving guide us in daily reflection on our own lives as we strive to deepen our relationship with God and neighbor—no matter where in the world that neighbor may live.
Lent ultimately leads to Easter—and the hope of the Resurrection. And as Catholics, we are called to share that hope with every member of our global human family.
Meet Annet, a 16 year old from South Sudan. She has cared for her younger siblings since her parents’ deaths four years ago. Life is hard at the refugee camp where they live. Learn more about Annet here.
What should I give up for Lent?
The Catechism invites Catholics to abstain from meat during the Fridays in Lent. Preparing meatless meals—like the ones we collect from countries around the world—is a great Lenten activity for families, offering an experience of global solidarity without ever needing to leave the kitchen! In addition to meatless Fridays, Catholics are also invited to offer daily sacrifices. By giving up little things—coffee, candies and more—we make room for God to act in our lives in new ways, and have the opportunity to give the money we save to those most in need by putting it in our rice bowls. Then, we return the rice bowls on Holy Thursday or during the Easter season, and the money is sent to CRS, where it is used to feed the hungry of the world.
Lenten Alms Change Lives Our almsgiving has the power to transform the world. During Lent, CRS Rice Bowl invites you to reflect on some of the lives that are changed through Lenten almsgiving. Read stories of hope from Guatemala, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Gaza—and be sure to reflect with your family using our Lenten Family Resources.
Want more Lenten reflections?
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Continue Jesus' Work of Healing
This month at Faith Formation, we considered the Sacraments of Healing. Jesus calls all of us to continue his ministry of healing in our lives. Work together in small groups to think of some of the things young people your age might do to carry on his spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer.
A few ideas are listed here to get you started as you carry on Jesus’ spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer:
Plant a vegetable garden and give some to the produce to the poor.
Babysit for a sick child to give the child’s mom a few hours to rest or shop.
Go with the adults in your parish who bring communion to the sick.
Offer to read to a blind, homebound person.
Help an elderly person with the weekly shopping.
Attend the wake and prayer service for a relative of one of your friends.
Bring flowers to the grave of a diseased parishioner who doesn’t have a family.
Help with a program for special needs children.
Think about joining a religious order of sisters or brothers who are dedicated to the care of the sick poor