"Memento Homo..."

 Meménto homo, + quia pulvis es, et in púlverim revertéris.
 Remember, man, + that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.

Blessing the ashes

We begin the holy season of Lent bearing a striking reminder of our mortality on our very bodies. The ashes of last year's palms point us to the fragility of this passing life. One day, perhaps today, we will be called to give account of our lives. Then our perfection will be measured "neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them” (St. John of the Cross). Holy Mother Church offers us the season of Lent to prepare for this day - to repent, to do battle with our own inclinations, to keep company with Christ.

In his Angelus remarks preparing for Lent 2010, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said:

​"(Lent) is a period of spiritual 'combat' which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism."

May this holy season be truly one of conversion and renewal for each of us. May Mary, Model of Faith, share with us her own faith and bring us ever closer to the Heart of Jesus!