As we begin Lent with Ash Wednesday,
we’re reminded that we cannot control everything in our lives, but we pray with confidence that God hears us. Pope Francis believes that the pandemic has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble St. Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” The Pope has proclaimed 2021 the “Year of St. Joseph.” A man who teaches the value, dignity, and joy of work, St. Joseph has been named the Protector of our Congregation. As it is written in the Fundamental Principles, we “share the love of God with the world through our own giftedness” by giving of ourselves through service as we draw closer to the heart of Jesus we move closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Over the next 40 days of Lent, we invite you to take some time to reflect and pray with us as St. Joseph guides our journey, for the unique mission of the Xaverian Brothers. The suffering caused by the pandemic has given us more reasons to seek together consolation in prayer. The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers remind us to make “God’s Word our Home.” We turn to God in prayerful gratitude for the many ways our mission “manifests God’s care and compassionate love” to our neighbors, near and far. Beginning today we will post a reflection which will “reveal the mysterious ways of God” in our mission. We hope you will share these places where we find God with your social media friends.
We are especially grateful for you and all who are part of the Xaverian mission, and pray that you know God’s mercy this Lenten season.
Day 1 – February 17, 2021: Ash Wednesday
Day 2 – February 18, 2021: Thursday After Ash Wednesday
Day 3 – February 19, 2021: Friday After Ash Wednesday
Day 4 – February 20, 2021: Saturday After Ash Wednesday
Day 5 – February 21, 2021: First Sunday of Lent
Day 6 – February 22, 2021
Day 7 – February 23, 2021
Day 8 – February 24, 2021
Day 9 – February 25, 2021
Day 10 – February 26, 2021: Friday of the First Week of Lent
Day 11 – February 27, 2021
Day 12 – February 28, 2021: Second Sunday of Lent
Day 13 – March 1, 2021: Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 14 – March 2, 2021: Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 15 – March 3, 2021: Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 16 – March 4, 2021: Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 17 – March 5, 2021: Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 18 – March 6, 2021: Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Day 19 – March 7, 2021: Third Sunday of Lent
Day 20 – March 8, 2021: Monday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 21 – March 9, 2021: Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 22 – March 10, 2021: Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 23 – March 11, 2021: Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 24 – March 12, 2021: Friday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 25 – March 13, 2021: Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
Day 26 – March 14, 2021: Fourth Sunday of Lent
Day 27 – March 15, 2021: Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Day 28 – March 16, 2021: Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Day 29 – March 17, 2021: Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Day 30 – March 18, 2021: Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Day 31 – March 19, 2021: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Day 32 – March 20, 2021: Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Day 33 – March 21, 2021: Fifth Sunday of Lent
Day 34 – March 22, 2021: Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Day 35 – March 23, 2021: Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Day 36 – March 24, 2021: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Day 37 – March 25, 2021: Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Day 38 – March 26, 2021: Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Day 39 – March 27, 2021: Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent
Day 40: March 28, 2021: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
Proficiat to our newly professed Brothers!
Recent Prayers and photos of our our 4409 ‘brothers/sisters’ are most appreciated, especially today, March 21, of our XBSS leaders, Bro. Richard, Dr./”bro.” Patrick, and Mr./’bro.’ Ben. Adds a dimension to the faceless contacts we see in the Xaveriana and messages from 4409. Suggestion: ALL staff of 4409 deserve a photo for us spread far and wide.
I was impressed with today’s 3/4 prayer. In this Women’s History Month, I read about the Furaha Institute in the Congo. It spoke of Sr. Lord whose role is “to ensure the direction, management and discipline in the school” while our two Brothers serve as Headmaster and instructor. Sr. Lord continues to make “woman’s history’
I look forward every day for Lenten prayers…and travel with you to your many missions…we have all grown to “ fields afar” from where we started…God bless you and your works.