Due to my spiritual wakeup call in November, for the first time I’m taking Lent really seriously this year. On Ash Wednesday, I committed to a rigorous program based on the book, Let Freedom Ring—A 40-Day Tactical Training for Freedom from the Devil, by Frs. James Altman, Richard Heilman, and William Peckman.
My eucharistic miracle two weeks ago makes me want to redouble my efforts to increase my faith and holiness. The book is a virtual Catholic bootcamp. Every day has a reflection, for example, “Freedom from Jealousy,” or “Freedom from Gluttony,” and a whole bunch of prayers: one Rosary, one Divine Mercy Chaplet, one litany, and some more short daily prayers. Add to that a daily spiritual or corporal work of mercy, exercise (which, as the couch potato that I am, I’m usually skimping out on), only one hour of social media (ugh), fasting (double-ugh), and the examination of conscience.
I’ve also started to add Daily Masses to my schedule. I used to think of those people who’d go to church every day as whack jobs, but now I find myself craving the experience. If you know that it’s really Jesus in the Eucharist, how can you not want to be near him all the time? How can you not want to look at him and talk to him? How can you not want to receive him as often as possible, for that blessed 15 minutes of his Body and Blood merging with yours?
Next week is Holy Week, and I’m planning to be there for all of it.
In 2021 I started attending daily mass and adoration. It became the second greatest grace in my life. When I’m travelling or can’t go to daily mass for some reason, I’m off kilter until I resume.