Missive (2/28): Fasting & Abstinence

I’d like to review some basics of Christian discipline, especially during Lent.  It seems good to start with the discipline of fasting and abstinence.  We know the Church teaches we must fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; we also recall that every Friday throughout the year is a day for abstaining from meat (yes, outside of Lent one may choose to replace abstaining from meat with another penance).  But, why?

It is first of all good for us to recognize the biblical foundations of fasting and abstinence.  We see the people of Israel fasting in preparation for great feasts and individually for momentous occasions in a person’s life.  We also see fasting in connection with prayer.  Indeed, Christ Himself fasted for forty days after His baptism in the Jordan and before beginning His earthly ministry.  Recognizing the witness of holy scripture and the example of Christ and His disciples, especially the apostles, the Church has continued to profit by this witness and example as well as teach Her children (the baptized) to do the same.

We recognize fasting and abstinence as an important witness to what is most important in our lives, such that we give up the good of nutrition from time to time in favor of greater prayer which is an act of love for God, and charity which is an act of love for neighbor.  We don’t always understand the connection between love and fasting beyond this except that we recognize through scripture and the experience of the Church that it works.

One point that does bear recognition however is, with regards to abstinence, we abstain from meat on Fridays in witness of, and sorrow for, the passion and death of Christ: Because Jesus gave up His flesh on Friday for our salvation, we give up flesh on Friday in witness and gratitude.

So, why does the law of fasting kick in at the age of 18 and end at age 59?  The Church is a loving Mother.  As such, She recognizes that children are growing and are in need of nutrition so that they may develop fully.  Good nutrition ensures full and proper health as well as greater defense against disease.  In older age, the Church recognizes that we don’t metabolize food as well as we did in the prime of life, and again, good nutrition is a defense against sickness and disease, but also allows one to function more fully at this stage in life.  Makes sense, doesn’t it?  This is also why the law of abstinence from meat doesn’t kick in until age 14.  But, of course, most people in our neck of the woods are not faced with the choice between eating meat and going hungry.  Thus, it is best, from a child-rearing point of view, to include children in the practice of abstinence from their youngest age as well.  This reinforced by abstinence from candy, sugary drinks, and desert during Lent and even on Fridays throughout the year.

This went a little long, but it is an important part of our Lenten discipline as well as our Christian discipline throughout the year.  So…

“May Christ our Lord help us all with His bountiful grace, so that we may know His holy will and perfectly fulfill it.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

Important Legislation Explained By The Incomparable Msgr. Charles Pope

Congress Is About to Vote on the ‘Equality Act,’ a Grave Threat To Religious Liberty — Please Take Action Now| National Catholic Register: Either we are going to fight for our religious liberty and freedom of speech — and ultimately, freedom of thought — or they will be taken from us.

I urge all to read this article and then act.  Write, call, whatever!  Contact your representative and senators (even if they aren't likely to vote as we would wish).  They need to know what their constituents think and that this legislation will affect real people.  And the pray up a holy storm.

Important Primary Election in Wisconsin - February 16

Brothers & Sisters,

Tuesday, February 16, is an important primary election in Wisconsin.  There are, currently, 7 (at last count) candidates for the Superintendent of the state's Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

This is a very important post in our state government whether your children go to a public school, a parochial or private school, or even for those who home school.  The state department of public instruction touches all of us who are about the education and formation of young people in every format.

The information available is relatively thin, but there has been some fora which have revealed answers to significant concerns which may give some insight into the candidates' attitude towards non-public education generally.

Here is an article which may be of interest from the Wisconsin Examiner and an overview from the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS).

Having reviewed these, as well as 

The Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC-the state teacher's union) is recommending Dr. Jill Underly.  I have serious concerns about her platform.  Here is a link to her League of Women Voters questionnaire.

A regional educational professional who has been very friendly to Catholic education has said that Deborah Kerr has worked very well with him in the past.  There isn't a lot there to suggest she would be a "friend" to Catholic education or home schooling, but (and this is significant to me) there are not the red flags one finds on the websites and the news articles about many of the others.  Here is a link to her League of Women Voters Questionnaire.  I would point out she is the only candidate with bi-partisan support.

Another possibility is Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams.  She has some good qualities and positions.  Here is her League of Women Voters Questionnaire.

None of these are perfect, but a couple of them are better than the rest, possibly even helpful once in office.

Blessed Br. James Miller

 

Today is the feast day of Blessed Brother James Miller, Martyr.  Read the linked Wikipedia article on the native son of the Diocese of La Crosse, as well as the page with YouTube videos from his alma mater - St. Mary's University - Winona, MN.

Consecration to St. Joseph (7)

 

Next week, the last Sunday before the start of Lent, we will consecrate our parishes to the Purest Heart of Joseph, and on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday we will consecrate our parish school to him as well.  We have, through prayer, reading, and contemplation, come to know of God’s plan for the part St. Joseph has and will play in the salvation of the world.

Over the past few weeks we have recognized the unique circumstances which have brought the virginal father of Jesus to the fore in these times.  We have seen how St. Joseph is given a particular part to play, and we are given a particular gift, necessary for navigating the particular evils which infect our culture, our world, and our families.

This week I would like to focus on some practicalities concerning our devotion to the Purest Heart of Joseph.  During this year of St. Joseph within the Diocese of La Crosse (which has been extended to close on December 8, 2021, to coincide with the close of the universal holy year) holy cards have been printed with a beautiful picture of St. Joseph and the Child, Jesus, on the one side and the Memorare of St. Joseph and a portion of the Litany of St. Joseph on the reverse.  I hope that by now every home, every person in our parishes has one of these holy cards in their possession and in a place of honor.  Now, what to do with them?  It would be good to pray one or the other (or both!) of these prayers daily, or even another of the many prayers, approved by the Church, to St. Joseph.  Many of these prayers have been included in the novena that is available in the places where prayer cards are made available in each of our churches.  They cover many of the daily concerns of life including our children, our work, the Church, and the world.

The First Wednesday of the month is the day that is designated as special to St. Joseph, just as First Fridays are times of particular devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and First Saturday’s are times of particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Of course, just as we extend devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to all Fridays, and of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to all Saturdays, so devotion to the Purest Heart of Joseph is extended to every Wednesday.

Within our parishes we have already, for nearly two years now, prayed a novena to St. Joseph before the daily Mass.  We have also celebrated the votive Mass of St. Joseph when not impeded by an obligatory memorial or other feast.  Many also follow the custom of fasting and / or abstinence on Wednesday in reparation for sins, for the restoration of marriage and family life, and for growth of the faith in the hearts of all.

As we come to the end of our time of preparation, and make our consecration to the Purest Heart of Joseph, may we all deepen daily our devotion to his purest heart and come to know the graces promised.

Here is another YouTube video by Fr. Boniface Hicks on Devotion to St. Joseph.  Enjoy!

Consecration to St. Joseph (7)

 

Between Covid-19 and the weather it's been a rough week, but here is another YouTube video featuring Fr. Boniface Hicks discussing the Virginal Fatherhood of St. Joseph.  There is also an article from the National Catholic Register discussing the approval of an apparition of St. Joseph in Brazil.  Enjoy!