Volume 4, Bonus Issue 1 Lent 2016

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Lent 2016
Saint U News
Volume 4, Bonus Issue 1
Continuing the Mission
3937 Kirk Avenue + Allison Park + Pennsylvania + 15101
The Rosary Series:
Sorrowful Mysteries
As we are entering into the
season of Lent, this
issue focuses on the Sorrowful Mysteries. And so, for Lent, consider
this: meditation helps us to “see for the first time.” When we pray
the rosary, we are engaging in the practice of mediation, a step along
the way to true knowledge of the Lord and personal union with Jesus.
As GK Chesterton said, “If you look at a thing 999 times, you are
perfectly safe; if you look at it for the 1000th time, you are in danger
of seeing it for the first time.” As we pray with Mary, it helps to help us
see Jesus for the first time, to fall in love with Him reflecting upon His life.
Some special events for Lent:
 March 10th – Christian Mothers Guild “Meager Meal” 6:30pm, Sr. Shelly Farabaugh, OSB talks on Humility
 March 16th – Fr. Scott Seethaler: "An Overview on Islam from Mohammed to the Present" at 7:00pm
 March 17th – Penance Service
 Tuesdays – 6:30pm Mass
 Fridays – Stations of the Cross at 2:00 pm and 7:00pm
Lenten Practices
by Fr. Aaron Kriss
Once again, Lent is upon us. It is a spiritual time to reflect on the tremendous love our
Savior, Jesus Christ, shows us by His willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sins and for our salvation.
Thus, we as God’s people strive to engage ourselves in practices that aid us in identifying
with the suffering servant Jesus Christ. We pray – personally by talking directly to God from
our minds and hearts about what is happening in our lives, the lives of others, and the world –
whatever it may be, happy or sad, positive or negative, good or bad. We meditate by studying
and reflecting on the scriptures, perhaps those that are tied to the practice of the Stations of
the Cross. The Stations of the Cross can be prayed every day during Lent, not just on Fridays.
Also, we pray communally when we participate at Mass and other Liturgy of the Word services like Penance services.
Connected with this is our taking the time to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We also fast as did Jesus. We, by fasting, try not to concentrate on satisfying bodily desires, but rather on the spiritual
build-up of our souls. We regulate our amount of food and drink intake as well as sensual pleasures. As Jesus is always the
giving, loving Savior, we imitate Him by our participation in alms giving. We strive to aid the needy and poor around us, in our
church, and in the world by giving of our time, talent, and treasure. We strive to do charitable works of all kinds for others.
For Lent, in addition to praying the Stations of the Cross, we may want to pray the rosary, especially the Sorrowful Mysteries.
When we do, may we strive to put ourselves in each of the mysteries as we struggle and suffer along with Jesus and Mary. We
can relate when we, like Jesus, have agony or pain, or know others who are carrying the crosses of life and are being weakened
by them, and when we and others have to die to our selfishness and sin.
May our Lenten experience enable us to find God’s grace at work so we can ultimately experience the joy of Easter and
Jesus’ resurrection! Peace, Fr. Aaron

© 2016 St. Ursula Parish Communications Committee
Borgianni (detail) Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
the
The First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray, entering the garden with Peter,
James and John. Seeing the sins of mankind, whose guilt he has taken upon
Himself, Jesus prays, “My soul is sorrowful unto death.” He sees the wrath
of the Father which His sufferings must appease. So great is His anguish
that His sweat becomes as drops of blood falling to the ground. An angel
appears from heaven to strengthen Him. “My Father, If it is possible, let
this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt 26:36-46)
Jesus is betrayed by Judas, cruelly bound and led away.
Heinrich Hofmann (1890) Christ in Gethsemane
The Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging at the Pillar
Jesus is taken before the High Priest where He is falsely accused,
buffeted and insulted. The Chief priests with the elders and the scribes hold
a council. They bind Jesus, lead him away, and hand Him over to Pilate.
Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, has Jesus scourged and hands Him over
to be crucified. The prophesy of Isaiah is fulfilled: “He was wounded for our
iniquities, He was bruised for our sins.” (Mk 15:1-16)
Rubens Flogging
The Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning with Thorns
Pilate asks, “Are You a king?” Jesus answers “I am King, but My
kingdom is not of this world.” They strip off His clothes and braid a crown
out of thorns, they place it on His head, putting a reed in His right hand.
Then kneeling before Him, they mock Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Pilate brings Jesus before the people, hoping His pitiful sight will soften
them: “Behold the man!” Their response: “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
(Mt 27:27-31)
Titian Crowning With Thorns
The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross
One condemned to death by crucifixion is forced to carry the cross
to the place of execution. Jesus falls under the weight of the cross. Jesus,
weak from being beaten, is unable to carry His cross to Golgotha (the Place
of the Skull) alone. Fearing Jesus might die on the way, Simon, a Cyrenian, is
pressed to help Him. Jesus speaks to weeping women “Weep not for me, but
for yourselves and your children.” (Mk 15: 20-22)
Titian Christ Carrying the Cross
The Fifth Sorrowul Mystery: The Crucifixion
When they come to the place called the Skull, they crucify Him
and the criminals – there, one on His right, the other on His left. The hands
and feet of Jesus are nailed to the cross in the presence of His afflicted
Mother. Jesus says, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do. ...
My God, My God why have you forsaken me? ... I thirst, it is finished.”
and “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.” (Lk 23:33-46)
Titian Christ and the Good Thief
Sources: (1) Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), (2) The Family Rosary [Online] Available http://www.familyrosary.org/TheRosary/HowToPrayTheRosary/
Mysteries%20of%20The%20Rosary.aspx, (3) New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia [Online] Available http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10662a.htm.
(4) Catholic Online. [Online] Available https://www.catholic.org/prayers/mystery.php?id=1#1, (5) Regnum Christi, Mini Meditations on the Sorrowful Mysteries [Online]
Available http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/ October 31, 2014, (6) The Catholic Company [Online] Available http://www.thecatholiccompany.com/
content/Sorrowful-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary.
© 2016 St. Ursula Parish Communications Committee