Septuagesima Sunday just passed. Fr Hartley says we should be treating this period (between Septuagesima Sunday and Ash Wednesday) as a mini-Lent, or a time to prepare for Lent, both exteriorly and interiorly. In the traditional calendar, preparation for Lent starts the day after Septuagesima Sunday, which is why in the traditional rite the priest starts wearing purple - to signify great solemnity, penance and mourning - just like Fr did last night.
I'm trying so hard to get into the mode, not just for my own benefit, but moreso for the kids' sake. I know this is also the time to brainstorm and plan what activities we can adopt to help us achieve some spiritual growth through Lent and aspire for a new and better life with Christ by Easter. Thank God, indeed, that there are several excellent books and resource materials available, not to mention sites and blogs online containing LOADS of great ideas!
The only thing I don't seem to have? Time. Not lots of it, anyway. But until such time when I'd get some to initiate the required preparations, I shall be praying..
PRAYER FOR HOLY PERSEVERANCE
Eternal Father, I humbly adore Thee, and thank Thee for having created me, and for having redeemed me through Jesus Christ. I thank Thee most sincerely for giving me the true faith, and by adopting me as Thy son, in the sacrament of baptism. I thank Thee for having, after the numberless sins I had committed, waited for my reentance, and for having pardoned (as I humbly hope) all the offences which I have offered to Thee, and for which I am now sincerely sorry, because they have been displeasing to Thee, who art infinite goodness. I thank Thee for having preserved me from so many relapses, of which I would have been guilty if Thou hadst not protected me. But my enemies still continue, and will continue til death, to combat against me, and to endeavour to make me their slave. If Thou dost not constantly guard and succor me with Thy aid, I, miserable creature, shall return to sin, and shall certainly lose Thy grace. I beseech Thee, then, for the love of Jesus Christ, to grant me holy perseverance unto death. Jesus, Thy Son, has promised that Thou wilt grant whatsoever we ask in His Name. Through the merits, then, of Jesus Christ, I beg, for myself and for all the just, the grace never again to be separated from Thy love, but to love Thee forever, in time and eternity. Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me. (adapted)
Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genitrix, ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi!
