Fr. Scott Haynes Meditation on Jeremiah 17:9 “More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it?” The prophet Jeremiah speaks with startling honesty about the human condition. He does not flatter us with comforting illusions. Instead he reveals a truth that every thoughtful person eventually discovers: the human heart is mysterious, complicated, and often deeply divided. “More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can

Hasse's setting of the penitential psalm of David is moving.

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus has its literal meaning, but the Fathers of the Church also have read it with allegorical meaning.

Ave Regina by Stopford is a moving motet for Lent.

Fr. Scott Haynes A Meditation on 3 Kings 17:8-16 In those days, the word of the Lord came to Elias the Thesbite, saying, Arise, and go to Sarepta of the Sidonians, and dwell there: for I have commanded a widow woman there to feed you. He arose, and went to Sarepta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her, Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And when she was going to fetch it, h

Fr. Scott Haynes The Trial of St. Joan of Arc A Meditation on Psalm 31 “You will free me from the snare they set for me, for you are my refuge… Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Psalm 31 is not a quiet prayer written from the safety of a peaceful chapel. It is the cry of someone hunted, slandered, encircled by enemies who whisper and conspire. The psalmist hears the murmurs before he sees the danger. He senses that forces are gathering against him. His name is being discu

Fr. Scott Haynes A Meditation on 2 Samuel 11 “At the turn of the year, when kings go out on campaign… David remained in Jerusalem.” The fall does not begin with desire. It begins with absence. David is not where he should be. The text does not excuse him, nor does it dramatize the moment. It simply states it. Kings go out to battle. David stays home. The first crack in the soul is often quiet. No rebellion. No hatred of God. Just a small withdrawal from duty. A spiritual sies

Fr. Scott Haynes Lent does not begin in comfort. It begins in the desert. The ashes are still fresh upon our foreheads. The Alleluia has fallen silent. The Church leads us away from noise and into the wilderness with Christ. On this first Sunday, we stand beside Him in the desert wind, beneath a sky that burns by day and chills by night. Hunger sharpens the senses. Silence grows heavy. The tempter waits. And it is here, in this stark landscape, that we hear the promise: “He h

Composed in 1598 upon the death of Philip II, Versa est in luctum is a suitably majestic motet for six voices - the music conjuring the heavenly harps, organs and voices referred to in the text. Filmed at St Bartholomew the Great, London. My harp is turned to grieving and my flute to the voice of those who weep. Spare me, O Lord, for my days are as nothing.

On Fridays during Lent, there is a beautiful way to obtain a plenary indulgence: reciting the Prayer Before a Crucifix. The Prayer Before a Crucifix to Jesus Christ Crucified ( En ego, O bone et dulcissime Iesu ): Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in thy sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech thee that thou wouldst impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, with true contrition for my sin

Ash Wednesday calls us into that secret room of the heart, the holy place where God wants to dwell. The ashes placed upon our foreheads are visible, but their meaning is inward. They remind us that the Christian life is not about appearances. It is about conversion of heart.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the model penitent. As we follow Jesus into the desert for 40 days, let us pray, fast and give alms.

Fr. Scott Haynes A Shrove Tuesday Meditation A Shrove Tuesday Meditation Saint Paul tells us, “We see now through a mirror in an obscure manner, but then face to face.” These words describe the whole of our earthly life. We know God, but imperfectly. We love Him, but not yet with a pure heart. We walk in faith, not yet in vision. How fitting that these words echo on the eve of Lent. Shrove Tuesday has always been a day of clearing the mirror. The word “shrove” comes from t

The Solemn Days of Lent February 18 - April 4 From Ash Wednesday (February 18) through April 4 (Holy Saturday), we follow the Solemn Days of Lenten penance. You are welcome to enroll your prayer requests to be remembered in the Masses of the sacred season. Daily meditations based on Scripture and the Lives of the Saints have been written to guide you each day, which are available here: The Saints' Journey Through Lent by Fr. Scott Haynes. ​ ​ Submit Your Prayer Request D

As we begin the season of Lent, we begin with Ash Wednesday and the imposition of blessed ashes. We remember the account we must render.

After the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption, Catholics may practice the devotion of St. Michael's Lent.

Let us follow Christ into His Sacred Passion.

In Passiontide, we behold the covering of the Crosses and sacred images, reminding us how Christ hid from his persecutors, as he prayed.

Fr. Scott A. Haynes On the night of His betrayal, the Lord Jesus Christ warned Peter that he would deny Him thrice; and this before the...

As we continue our Lenten journey, may Laetare Sunday rekindle in us the joy of our redemption.