Devout Adress to the Holy Face
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 12:00AM in Poetry
O Face Divine!
O Face most sorrowful yet so benign!
So beauteous still in grief, towards me incline!
O Sacred Eyes!
On which the weight of dreaded anguish lies,
That look must break the heart which Christ denies.
O Lips so meek!
Unless their all absolving word I seek,
Those lips one day eternal doom will speak.
O Sacred Face!
Which mortal hand has dared with prayer to trace,
Thee on my heart with throbs of awe I place.
O Face Divine!
Give me of love returned some blissful sign;
O Face Divine, in grief towards me incline.
Source: Sister Saint-Pierre and the Work of Reparation, Rev. P. Janvier
Shrove Tuesday: Feast of The Holy Face
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 12:00AM in Tradition
The Feast of the Holy Face – Shrove Tuesday On April 17th, 1958, His Holiness Pope Pius XII approved the observance of a Feast of the Holy Face of Jesus on Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).
A Prayer for the Church
O God, by Thy Holy Name have pity on us, protect us, and save us.
O good Jesus, in the sweet Name guard our Sovereign Pontiff; breathe into his
soul the spirit of the Comforter.
Jesus, thy Church is menaced with great trials! Holy Father, by the virtue of
thy salutary Name protect the Church of Jesus Christ. This was the last will of
thy Divine Son; it is the holy prayer which love prompted towards the end of his
life. Holy Father, keep in thy Name those thou hast given me (St. John chap. xxxvii. 11)
O most holy and worthy Mother, refuge of the Church, intercede for us and save us by
the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Michael and the Holy Angels, guard the bark of Peter; disperse its enemies
by the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Source: Sister Saint-Pierre and the Work of Reparation.
Manual of the Archconfraternity of the Holy Face
I salute, adore, and love Thee, O Jesus, my Savior, covered anew with outrages by blasphemers, and I offer Thee, through the heart of Thy blessed Mother, the worship of all the Angels and Saints, as an incense and a perfume of sweet odor, most humbly beseeching Thee, by the virtue of Thy Sacred Face, to repair and renew in me and in all men Thy image disfigured by sin. Amen
Source: Veronica, or the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ 1871St. Theodulus, Martyr, A.D. 309.
by VP
Posted on Tuesday February 17, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
"THEODULUS was an old man of eminent virtue and wisdom, who enjoyed one of the most honourable posts in the household of Firmilian, the governor of Palestine, and had several sons. His personal merit gained him the love of all who knew him; and the governor had a particular esteem for him. This holy man had seen the invincible courage and patience of the martyrs who were put to death by his master's order, and believed in Christ. Going to the prisons, he made use of the example of the martyrs whom he had seen, to encourage the other confessors, and prepare them for the like battles. Firmilian, vexed at this conduct of an old favourite servant, sent for him, reproached him strongly with ingratitude, and without hearing his defence, condemned him to be crucified. Theodulus received the sentence with joy, and went with transports to a death which was speedily to unite him to his Saviour, and in which he was thought worthy to bear a near resemblance to him. He suffered a glorious martyrdom, rejoicing in the honour that was done him, and praising God for those charitable offices, which had brought him to this happy end.
It is often so ordered by Providence, that the best undertakings fall with an unexpected weight on those who engage in them; and that Christians, by doing good to others, draw great inconveniencies upon themselves. The apprehension of such consequences discourages many from executing very pious designs, and their being once disappointed, makes them shrink from the most commendable undertakings. But this is nothing better than impatience and cowardice, disguised under the name of discretion, and therefore not to be consulted. The better rule is to embrace the present occasion offered for doing good; and then to depend so much on the divine conduct, as to leave the consequences to Providence. If all succeed well, bless God for it; and if otherwise, embrace the inconvenience.
If this be done with submission and patience, your disappointment will
be no loss. Thus you may come to be called a fool by the world; but it is a folly more valuable than the wisdom of those who are too cautious in doing good." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
Saint Juliana, Virgin and Martyr, About 300 A.D.
by VP
Posted on Monday February 16, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
Domenico Fetti: St. Juliana
"In prison, she was said to have been exposed to a vision of a demon who
pretended to be an angel of light and asked her to sacrifice to the
pagan gods. Juliana recognised the deception and shouted: “Lord God of
heaven and earth, do not leave me and do not allow your maid to perish.”
She defeated the tempter who admitted to her that the devils suffer
especially when Christians assist at Mass." Prayer for Reparation
"A holy virgin of Nicomedia, who in the persecution of Galerius Maximianus, not consenting to marry a certain governor, who was a heathen, drew upon her the fury of her idolatrous father, and likewise of him whom she had refused to marry. Finding her not to be prevailed upon by all the flatteries they could propose, they commanded her by order of justice to be hung up by the hair, to be cruelly scourged, to be tormented with hot plates of iron, to be cast into a furnace, and into boiling oil; and being miraculously preserved, she was at length beheaded, and so brought to the possession of her heavenly spouse.
Are you not here taught how much you ought to value your faith, and not to put this to the hazard upon any consideration which this world can offer you? Is not here a condemnation of those, who in disposing of themselves or of their children, look about for worldly advantages of titles, state, or preferments, and let these determine their choice as to marriage, profession, or service, without any regard to the hazard they run of that which is most valuable, and is the only thing above all to be considered? This is not according to the Gospel, which commands, before all things, to seek the kingdom of God and His justice, and to venture everything else for securing this. Resolve to make this your rule for yourself, and all that belong to you. If you are a loser by it, remember that such loss will be your greatest gain. It is the loss of the martyrs, and will not your gain be the same as theirs. It is a loss for time, but it will be gain for eternity.
Pray for all who are under troubles, whether temporal or spiritual; that God would be their protector and comforter, and strengthen them against all temptations of impatience and distrust. Your charity to them now may bring relief to you when it comes to your turn. Pray to this holy virgin and martyr, to intercede in your behalf." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother
The Attacks Made by Heretics upon the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 15, 2026 at 01:00AM in Books
"The persecutions which the evil enemy has stirred up at various times against the most holy sacrifice of the Mass are a proof how sacred a thing it must be, and how obnoxious to the devil; otherwise he would not attack it with such violence. (...)
From the days of the apostles until the present time the holy sacrifice of the Mass has had no more vehement opponent than the unhappy Martin Luther, who not only attacked but decried this divine mystery. He did not do this of himself, nor when he first apostatized, but at a later period, and at the instigation of the devil. In fact the deluded man himself acknowledges in his writings that his teaching comes from the devil, and only at the suggestion of the evil one has he abolished the Mass as an act of idolatry, although he must have known full well that the devil is the hater of all that is good, and teaches mankind naught but what is evil."
(...)
If the people are ignorant of the great value of holy Mass they do not love and esteem it as they ought; they never go to Mass on week-days, and on Sundays and holidays they are too often indifferent, irreverent, superficial; they absent themselves on a mere pretext, and without the slightest scruple of conscience.
But if they understand the vast efficacy and value of the holy Mass, they cannot fail to prize more highly this costly treasure, to love it deeply, and assist at the divine oblation with greater reverence. There is in the Catholic Church no mystery more important, more consoling, more salutary, than this sublime mystery of the altar. If this truth were recognized aright, we should certainly see a larger attendance at Mass on week-days."
Source:Cochem's Explanation of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Repentance (Quinquagessima)
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 15, 2026 at 12:00AM in Sunday Sermons
"Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."-LUKE Xviii. 38.
1. To repent, God's mercy is needed.
2. Sin, in regard of ourselves; of God; of our eternal welfare.
3. God willing and ready to forgive.
4. Our gratitude for forgiveness.
"THE holy time of Lent, upon which we enter this week, is given us once again by the mercy of God, in which to repent and put our souls in order. No one can afford, can dare to despise this fresh opportunity of having their sins forgiven. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John i. 8).
Then in what does repentance of sin consist? A thorough change of heart, by which we turn from our sins and break with them: confess them with true contrition of heart for having committed them. But can we ourselves do this? Can we shake ourselves free from the bonds of sin? Can we, the slaves of sin, gain liberty for our souls of our own power? No, we need the grace of God; hence our earnest prayer should be," Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me."
If the blind, the lepers, all the poor sufferers were so earnest in seeking a cure, a freedom from their afflictions, and were mercifully healed by our Blessed Lord, how much more earnest should we be in seeking forgiveness of our sins! For sin is the leprosy of the soul; sin blinds us and leads us astray from the path to heaven; sin is the palsy that paralyses all our powers. Mortal sin, alas! is the death of our soul, the forfeiture of eternal life, the condemnation to eternal misery. All this is sin; for we are the slaves of that in which we have sinned.
And what is sin as regards Almighty God? A defiance, a rebellion, an insult and ingratitude of the vilest kind. By sin we dare to disobey the Almighty Master; by sin we insult the all-holy God, by preferring vile things to Him, by choosing the indulgence of our passions to doing His holy Will. By sin we ignore and despise all that an infinitely loving Father has done for us.
He has given us an immortal soul, destined to be happy with Him for ever, and we sell this soul for a paltry or shameful pleasure. He has pardoned us so many times, and we have added iniquity to iniquity by returning to our evil ways. And that pardon, that our heavenly Father has granted so often-what was the price of it? What was the ransom that was paid to rescue us from the thraldom of the devil? The precious Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who died on the Cross for us.
Alas! in the past when we have sinned we thought little of the dreadful evil of our sins. Yet, without exaggeration sin is this appalling evil, the calamity with eternal consequences for our poor soul. How the tempter has fooled us and ruined us time after time! When we gave way to our passions-jealousy, pride, avarice, impurity-he skilfully hid the malice from us. When we disobeyed the commandments of God and the Church, we did not realize the cruel contempt and ingratitude towards our divine Lord.
Then let us treasure this opportunity of repentance during the sacred time of Lent; let the prayer of our heart-earnest and constant-be, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." But can it be that God will hear our prayer and grant us forgiveness after all our falls, our relapses, perhaps our long continuance in sin? So many times have we made half-repentances and fallen again with scarce a struggle against temptation. Is not the patience of God worn out? Will He trust us and try us once again? In this anxiety and doubt, how consoling for us to recall the words of ScriptureGod's own inspired words--" Hear me, O Lord, for Thy mercy is kind," says the Psalmist, "look upon me, O Lord, according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies" (Ps. lxviii. 17). "Thus saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart . . . turn to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy" (Joel ii. 12).
Surely, then, with all confidence we may trust in the mercy of our heavenly Father! It is He Who turns our hearts to wish to repent. It is He Who prompts the prayer to our Saviour, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." And that mercy will be poured down upon us to enlighten us to see our sins; to have the good will and the courage to break with them; to confess them; to have loving and sincere sorrow and compunction of heart for having committed them.
Finally, what gratitude should fill our hearts that we have so forgiving, so tender a Father: "Who forgiveth all thy iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases, Who redeemeth thy life from destruction, Who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion" (Ps. cii. 3, 4). "For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild, and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon Thee. Thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and merciful, patient, and of much mercy and true" (Ps. lxxxv. 5, 15). This is the Father, rejoicing when He hears our prayer for mercy, blessing the poor sinful heart resolving to come and ask for pardon.
This is the holy work of Lent. This blessed work of repentance has peopled heaven! Pray to that multitude of redeemed and glorious souls who have prayed the same prayer for mercy; who have received the same grace of contrition and absolution; who can look back to some Lent when they turned to God with all their hearts. They persevered faithfully, and may we do the same in the service of that good God “ Who is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy."
Short Sermons on the Epistles & Gospels of the Sundays of the Year By Fr. Francis Paulinus Hickey
Saint Zachary, Pope (91rst pope)
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 15, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
"St. Zachary succeeded Gregory III., in 741, and was a man of singular meekness and goodness. He loved the clergy and people of Rome to that degree that he hazarded his life for them on occasion of the troubles which Italy fell into by the rebellion of the Dukes of Spoleto and Benevento agaisnt King Luitprand. Out of respect to his sanctity and dignity, that king restored to the Church of Rome all the places which belonged to it, and sent back the captives without ransom. The Lombards were moved to tears at the devotion with which they heard him perform the divine service. The zeal and prudence of this holy Pope appeared in many wholesome regulations which he had made to reform or settle the discipline and peace of several churches. Saint Boniface, the Apostles of Germany, wrote to him against a certain priest named Virgilius, that he labored to sow the seeds of discord between him and Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, and taught, besides, many errors. Zachary ordered that Virgilius should be sent to Rome, that his doctrine might be examined. It seems that he cleared himself; for we find this same Virgilius soon after made Bishop of Salzburg. Certain Venetian merchants having bought at Rome many slaves to sell to the Moors in Africa, Saint Zachary forbade such an iniquitous traffic, and, paying the merchants their price, gave the slaves their liberty. He adorned Rome with sacred buildings, and with great foundations in favor of the poor and pilgrims, and gave every year a considerable sum to furnish oil for the lamps in Saint Peter's Church. He died in 752, in the month of March.
Reflection: Oh, That we realized the omnipotence of prayer! Every soul was created to glorify God eternally; and it is the power of every one to add by the salvation of his neighbor to the glory of God. Let us make good use of this talent of prayer, lest our brother's blood be required of us at the last."
Source: Lives of the Saints, with reflections for every day in the year.
To God the Father.
Be mindful, O Eternal Father, of Thy Church, which Thou hast possessed
from the beginning; recognize in her the unspotted bride, for whom Thy
Adorable Son shed His Precious Blood. Vouchsafe to exalt her, to
sanctify and replenish her with such an abundance of Thy graces, that
she may be worthy of her Divine Spouse, and that her children may
confess Thee with a lively faith, call upon Thee with a firm hope, and
love Thee with a perfect charity. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
To God the Son
O Lord Jesus, the True Light, that enlightenest every man coming into
the world, dissipate, I beseech Thee, the darkness of heresy and schism.
Open the eyes of those in error, that they may perceive the brightness
of Divine Faith, and embrace the doctrines of the true and only Church,
so that, for the future, there may be but one fold and one flock. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
To God the Holy Ghost.
O Holy Ghost, Spirit of Peace and Love, enkindle in the hearts of
princes, the fire of divine charity, which Thou camest to cast upon the
earth! Teach them not to meditate any enterprise subversive of Thy Glory
of They Church's peace, but to seek by every means in their power to
attain for themselves and those confided to them the enjoyment of
eternal repose. Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary.
To the Most Holy Trinity
Adorable Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Who didst create the souls
of infidels after Thine own image and likeness, hear the prayers of
pious Christians, and the supplications of Thy Church; disperse the
blindness of idolaters; send among them men truly apostolic, who may
teach them the only saving faith; and grant them the grace to know and
adore Thee for evermore. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
Prayer for our Holy Father the Pope
O God, the Pastor and Governor of all the faithful, look propitiously on
Thy servant N., whom Thou hast constituted Head of Thy Church; grant
him grace to form to virtue and religion, both by word and example, the
flock committed to his charge, so that they may, with him, attain the
rewards of eternal life. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary.
May the Almighty and Merciful God graciously hear us.
And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
SS. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs, A.D. 121.
by VP
Posted on Sunday February 15, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
Vincenzo Foppa
(–1515)
"Two brothers, who by their zealous labours in converting many infidels to the Christian faith, drew upon themselves the fury of unbelievers. They were apprehended, exposed to wild beasts, and cast into the fire and sea. But being miraculously delivered, after many torments, they were at length beheaded, and thus finished a glorious martyrdom, in the year 121.
Pray for their constancy,
courage, and patience: and since God leads his most faithful servants
through so difficult ways, ought you not to offer yourself with patience
to go through those difficulties which he appoints for you? What are
all your troubles, if compared with theirs? You would willingly come at
length to the same crown; but you would have it at an easy rate. And what is this but the effect of self-love, a love of ease and quiet here, without a true sense or faith of that eternal rest that is come? And can this self-love ever bring you to the possession of Him,
who requires self-denial as an indispensable condition in all those who
pretend to follow Him? Consider then seriously to what you pretend; and
if it be to heaven, remember that patience, humility, and submission to
the will of God are the Gospel way to it. The time
for practicing these, is in provocations, persecutions, troubles
difficulties, disappointments, and distress. If in these circumstances
you regard little what God requires, but indulge your own passions, is
not this putting yourself out of the way of heaven, and neglecting those opportunities which He puts into your hands, and which, if well made use of, might be the purchase of it? Resolve now on a better method, on a method of suffering with humility and patience, as often as God shall call you to the trial. Trust in Him; and be confident that He who strengthened the martyrs will also be your helper, either in delivering you from your troubles, or giving you grace to go through them and leave it to Him to do what He knows best for you." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Saint Valentine, Priest and Martyr
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 14, 2026 at 12:00AM in Saints
Saint Valentine, Kneeling in Supplication. 1677, David Teniers
"He was a priest, and lived at Rome in the third age after Christ, under the Emperor Claudius II. Having employed his charity in instructing the ignorant, helping the sick, and assisting the martyrs in the persecution, he was apprehended. The emperor sent him to the prefect of Rome; who, on finding all his promises to make him renounce his faith ineffectual, commanded him to be beaten with clubs, and afterwards to be beheaded; which was executed on the 14th of February, about the year 270. Pray for all of his sacred character: they have a great charge, and require a powerful assistance of heavenly grace to be faithful in it. Pray that those, who have undertaken it, may follow the charity of this saint, and spare no pains in the discharge of their sacred duties. The corruption and ignorance of the world make their labours endless. Beg therefore for them, patience, zeal, longanimity, and perseverance; for they want all that you can ask for of this kind.The heathens had a lewd superstitious custom of boys drawing the names of girls at this time, in honour of their goddess, Februata Juno. In order to abolish this profane and dangerous practice, several zealous pastors substituted the names of saints in billets which were given on this day. St. Francis of Sales severely forbade the customs of valentines; and to abolish it, he changed it into giving papers with the names of certain
saints, to be particularly honoured, and as an encouragement to imitate
their virtues. This pious custom prevails in many religious houses; and
is to be commended. But there are great abuses in the common practices on this day, which should be condemned and abolished as unworthy of true followers of Christ. Evil is often the more dangerous, when the occasion of it
is less suspected. In this way many Christians are brought into great
snares, while they unwarily strengthen their own passions, and beginning
with the spirit, too often end in the flesh. Be charitable then to all, but familiar with none. This is the advice of the pious author of the Following of Christ; and will prove your best security." The Catholic Year by Rev. Fr. John Gother
Prayer: Antiphon: This Saint fought, even unto death, for the law of his God, and feared not the words of the wicked, for he was set upon a firm rock. Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we who solemnize the festival of Blessed Valentine, your martyr, may, by his intercession, be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Don Gueranger.
A HUSBAND'S PRAYER: O GRACIOUS Father, Maker and Preserver of heaven and earth, who in the beginning didst institute matrimony, thereby foreshadowing the mystical union of the Church with our Saviour Christ, who, in the time of His ministry upon earth, did honor marriage with His first miracle: enable me, I pray Thee, by Thy grace to live in holiness and purity with the wife whom Thou hast given me. Mortify in me all violence of earthly passion, all selfishness and inconsiderateness (here name any besetting sin which may be a hindrance to you), that I may love her as Christ loved His Church, cherish and comfort her as my own body, and have as great care for her happiness as for my own. Grant that we may live in peace, without contention; in unity, without discord. [Give us, O Lord, discreet hearts and understanding minds, to bring up our children in Thy faith and fear, that they may be obedient to Thee and to Thy commandments, and to all that Thou requirest of them in duty towards their parents.] And give us, O Lord, a competency of estate, to maintain ourselves and our family according to that rank and calling wherein Thou hast placed us, without excess or vainglory, in singleness and pureness of heart. Grant this for Jesus Christ's sake, to whom, with Thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
A WIFE'S PRAYER: MERCIFUL Lord God, who in the beginning didst take Eve out of the side of Adam and didst give her to him as a helpmate: give me grace to live worthy of the honorable estate of matrimony to which Thou hast called me, that I may love my husband with a pure and chaste love, acknowledging him as my head, and truly reverencing and obeying him in all good things; that thereby I may please him, and live with him in all Christian quietness. Keep me from all worldliness and vanity. Help me, O Lord, that I may, under him, prudently and discreetly guide and govern his household. Let no fault of mine aggravate any sins by which he may be especially tempted; enable me to soothe him in perplexity, to cheer him in difficulty, to refresh him in weariness, and, as far as may be, to advise him in doubt. [Give me understanding so to fulfil my part in the education of our children, that they may be our joy in this world and our glory in the next.] Grant that our perfect union here may be the beginning of the still more perfect and blissful union hereafter in Thy kingdom; and this I pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A PRAYER TO BE SAID BY HUSBAND OR WIFE: MERCIFUL God, we humbly beseech Thee to send Thy
blessing continually upon us, and to make us thankful for all that Thou
hast already vouchsafed unto us; and as Thou hast made us one in the
mystical grace of matrimony, grant that we may be also inwardly of one
heart and of one mind, paying due honor one to another, united in love
to Thee and to each other in Thee; living together in peace and
holiness, as faithful members of Thy Church, denying ourselves, and
being a mutual help, comfort, and support to each other, all the days of
our life. [Give us grace to train our children in Thy faith and fear.]
Bless us with health and strength, if it be Thy will, and with whatever
else Thy good providence shall see to be best for our souls and bodies.
Fit and prepare us day by day for our departure hence, that we may
together inherit eternal life in Thy heavenly kingdom. Through the
merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
A PARENT'S PRAYER: ALMIGHTY God, the Father and Maker of us all, who of Thy blessing and goodness hast vouchsafed to make me a father [or mother] of children: be pleased to accept my hearty thanksgiving and devout praise for the same; grant me Thy heavenly grace and assistance so to train up my children in Thy faith, fear, and love that as they advance in years they may grow in grace and may hereafter be found in the number of Thine elect. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Source: A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity: The Official Prayer Book of the Catholic Church by the Third Plenary of Baltimore 1896
PRAYER OF PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN: O heavenly Father, I commend my children unto thee. Be thou their God and Father; and mercifully supply whatever is wanting in me, through frailty or negligence. Strengthen them to overcome the corruptions of the world, to resist the solicitations of evil, whether from within or without; and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy.
Pour thy grace into their hearts, and confirm and multiply in them the gifts of thy Holy Spirit, that they may daily grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; and so, faithfully serving thee here, may come to rejoice before thee hereafter; through the merits of the same our Lord Jesus Christ who with Thee and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest. Amen.
Source: The garden of the soul, or, a manual Devotions By Bishop Richard Challoner 1874
On Shrove tide
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 14, 2026 at 12:00AM in Tradition
"The three days of Quinquagesima, or Shrove-tide, are the immediate preparation for Lent. Whence in them religious persons redouble their fervour in their compunction and penitential exercises. How much this spirit is recommended by the church to all her children at this time, appears in the whole tenor of her holy office. In this week of Quinquagesima, anciently all the faithful made a confession of their sins, and sanctified it by preparatory practices of holy penance.
(...) Origen, one of the earliest and most learned masters of the most illustrious of the Christian schools, established at Alexandria in the second and third ages, writes as follows: "Look about very diligently "to whom you ought to confess your sins. Try first the physician "to whom you are to lay open the source of your disorder; who "ought to know how to sympathize and condole; that if he who "has shown himself a skilful and tender physician shall give you any “advice, you carefully follow it."
The same maxim is inculcated by the most zealous pastors of the church through all succeeding ages. Shrovetide was the most solemn and general time in which all the faithful anciently approached the sacred tribunal of confession with the greatest compunction and fervour. This its very name in our language implies: for our English Saxon ancestors, from this universal custom, called it Shrovetide; that is, the time of confession.
The preparation for Lent by a careful sacramental confession of sins, is most salutary and expedient; nay often indispensably necessary, especially to persons engaged in a state of mortal sin: above all, if this be habitual; if the bands of this dismal slavery be not broken, the fasts and devotions of Lent lose the greater part of their advantages; for no good works can be satisfactory or meritorious, through the infinite price of our redemption, and the most gracious divine promise, unless performed in the state of grace, or in holy charity, by which they are grafted in Christ, as branches in the trunk of the vine. They are sanctified, and find acceptance of God, by this condition of holy charity in Christ, and by the dispositions of sincere repentance and compunction, and the fruit of the sacrament of penance worthily received, before entering upon this holy penitential course." The Moveable Feasts, Fasts, and Other Annual Observances of the Catholic Church By Rev. Fr. Alban Butler
