RESOURCES

• Letter from Cardinal Gugerotti
• A summary of the works of the Custody of the Holy Land
• Watch video "Good Friday collection for the Holy Land is a concrete sign of communion and hope"

“May the Lord give you peace.”

Pope Leo highlights this famous greeting of St. Francis of Assisi and places the notion of “Peace” at the heart of this Jubilee year of grace. In his prayer to St. Francis asking for his special intercession, the Pope recalled that St. Francis was a person who sought and lived peace:

“Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man of peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucified of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all Reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries. In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen”

This Jubilee year of grace invites us to find inspiration in the life and witness of St. Francis for our own journey of faith, so that we, too, become models of holiness and constant witnesses of peace.

Francis was a particular witness of peace in his time: born into a life of privilege, he renounced all to follow the way of the Crucified Saviour, allowing Christ to be his source of peace. In humility and simplicity, he became detached from all desire for power, possessions or social status. Not needing to defend or protect anything, he went to the margins of society and served those in whom he recognized the face of the suffering Christ. Desiring to proclaim the message of reconciliation and peace to all people, he crossed boundaries and, through his respectful witness, engaged with Sultan Malik Al-Kamil, earning the Sultan's high regard and favour.

It is fitting in this Jubilee year that the Pilgrim Church of Christ be reminded that we, too, follow in the footsteps of Jesus and are called to conform our lives to his, just as St. Francis did. As Francis told his followers as he was close to death, “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.”

And what does Christ teach us? How do we live from a heart filled with the peace that only Christ can bring? The first requirement is receive the Good News proclaimed by Christ and to do as Francis did: be receptive to the grace that changes our lives – metanoia. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1:15) We, like Francis, are called to cling no longer to that which does not lead to peace in Christ: greed, inordinate ambition, arrogance, self-righteous judgments against others, pursuing our own selfish interest and desires without due regard for the needs and dignity of others. At his lowest point, Francis recognized his poverty before God and opened himself to becoming a vessel that God could use to advance the kingdom of peace. We are invited to recognize our own poverty, placing all in the hands of Christ to do with us as God the Father wills for us – discovering our unique mission of peacebuilding and peacemaking.

St. Francis did not see himself as a saint. He, in fact, understood himself to be a sinner, forgiven and in constant need of God’s grace and mercy. The life of penance he embraced was motivated by his love of God and desire to be a willing instrument in God’s hands.

God’s mercy is a constant focus within Church teaching. Recalling God’s indulgent mercy, Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, which published a decree on God’s indulgence available this Jubilee year, reminds us that God’s grace can transform even our greatest weaknesses. God’s indulgence makes it possible to free the heart from the burden of sin and to purify and heal the harm sin causes.

The Church developed its teaching on indulgences from this notion of God’s mercy, which is more than we can fully take in or comprehend. In its essence, an indulgence reaffirms the forgiveness of sins and the healing and purification of the heart from the consequences of sin that comes as one allows God’s grace to transform one’s life. God’s indulgence is always available to us. “It is essential to understand that indulgence is first and foremost an encounter with God, and that its power lies not in our human efforts, but in the grace of God that transforms hearts… All penitential practices – such as confession, Communion, pilgrimage, prayer – are instruments of preparation that facilitate the encounter with God, but they do not replace the experience of grace itself. The authentic fruits of indulgence appear when a person consciously opens themselves to God’s transforming power, allows God to act in their heart, heals relationships, forgives, and is converted.” (Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, quoted from “Indulgence is an Encounter with God, not a Spiritual Shortcut,” by Fr. Marek Weresa, Vatican News, January 16, 2026)

While the Church has established common practices which give expression to one’s interior desire to detach from sin, surrender to God’s mercy and be receptive to God’s grace  – including sacramental confession and participation in the Eucharist and reception of Holy Communion – “at the heart of the practice of indulgences is God’s love, always calling us to grow in holiness. Living out indulgences is not just about fulfilling a list of requirements; it is an opportunity to open our hearts to divine grace and to the intercession of the saints.” (Bishop Lucia, “Indulgences Explained,” from The Catholic Sun, April 10, 2025)

God moves in our hearts at all times and everywhere. During this Jubilee year of St. Francis, we are invited to find meaningful ways to grow in our relationship with God and in the love of our brothers and sisters, which reflects the path of St. Francis. Some of the particular ways may include making a pilgrimage to a place of worship dedicated to St. Francis, praying with the same words he used before the crucifix at San Damiano – “O most high, glorious god, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me a right faith, a certain hope and a perfect love, understanding and knowledge, O Lord, that I may carry out your holy and true command”; praying the Way of the Cross which became associated St. Francis after he promoted this devotion on his return from the Holy Land; praying before the Blessed Sacrament, mirroring the same desire of St. Clare of Assisi of giving yourself totally to the One who gave himself totally to you; meditating prayerfully (Lectio Divina) on a passage that reflects the spirit of St. Francis; finding concrete ways to serve the poor Christ in the suffering and marginalized; becoming an unarmed and disarming peacemaker in your home, community and workplace; spending time contemplating creation and the many ways it reflects God’s goodness and beauty; praying the Seven Joys of Mary, a particular Franciscan rosary which honours the joyful mysteries of the Virgin Mary’s life. During Lent, the Seven Sorrows of Mary are prayed; uniting your personal suffering, difficulties, illness, and diminishment in the same spirit of St. Francis, who wrote the Canticle to the Creatures, which exhort God’s praise, all while blind and close to death.
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As you take advantage of this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, may you hear St. Francis’ blessing addressed to you: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He show His face to you and have mercy on you; May He turn his countenance to you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26)

Written by Susan Campbell, Mount St. Francis. 

I have procrastinated sharing my testimony. Not because it’s unimportant, but because I know that it is. I’ve started a handful of times, and then I stop because I’ve gone off track, or I’ve said too much or too little, or I don’t know where to go next. So what you are reading now may have grammatical errors or rambling, and it may not contain everything important, but what’s important is that you’re reading it. I come to you as a work in progress, not in perfection.
 
By the amazing grace of God, I was baptized last year on April 19, 2025. This event was a long time coming. From meeting my Catholic husband in my teens, to marriage prep in our 20’s, to our son born in 2020 – God (and my mother-in-law) were working to bring me here. Of course, God was working far before that. When I was conceived in a 13-year-old who had the option of abortion, but chose life (thank you, God). When I was a preteen and panicked because I knew that there was something far bigger than myself, but I couldn’t put a finger on it (and my firm atheistic household couldn’t confirm my feelings). When I was driving home through the mountains, my car almost took me over a cliff (and I knew someone had saved me). When I was severely but quietly struggling with my mental health, I had a plan to end my life, and a pair of headlights changed my actions (my God, you show up in so many ways). God was there, quietly working, quietly calling – waiting.
 
God’s call got me to RCIA the year before I was baptized. I left in February because I couldn’t commit to writing my name in the book to indicate baptism. I was worried about how my mom and my friends would react. I was worried because I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t know if I truly believed in God. 

I was okay with leaving for a while. It hadn’t felt right and so I floated, trying to see what did. I had already experimented with other religions – when my husband and I started marriage prep, I identified as Buddhist. Then in the summer, I decided “once and for all,” that I was getting off the fence and I was going to live life happily as an agnostic. I wouldn’t go back and forth with anxiety about what to choose, I could be free! … Well, I started RCIA again in September.
 
This time, RCIA was much different. I wasn’t trying to decide if there was a God. I was trying to get to know Him. I was running towards the Eucharist and the Living Water. My consistent prayer was, “Jesus, DO NOT let me go.” I had been back and forth so long that I was worried my motivation would fade yet again, and my doubt would creep back in. Over and over, forcefully and often tearfully, “Jesus, DO NOT let me go.”

A big obstacle I had to overcome was telling everyone in my life that I was leading a new life. Of course, my husband Damien’s family was thrilled, and Damien himself came back to the church. He went to confession and became my sponsor. My family and friends however, reflected the life I lived before. They have different values and perspectives that don’t align with the church. What if I told them and they left? What if I lost my village that I rely on in raising my son as a mostly stay at home mom? What if I tell my loudly atheistic mom and she doesn’t want to talk to me anymore? I had a lot to lose and I chose to risk it.

However, what came back wasn’t anger or abandonment, but love and understanding. I didn’t lose one relationship, but the one change that surprises me the most to this day, is my mom. She has asked me questions out of curiosity, but not one interrogation like I had imagined. She asks about church and even said she would come to a Christmas Eve Mass to watch our son in a choir.

With everyone supporting me, I moved forward. I had my feet washed by Father David, and a few days later, he poured the water over my head to change my life forever. I sobbed through the ceremony from, “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;” (Isaiah 55:1) to kneeling after the Eucharist. Kneeling, I heard a loud celebration in my head, “YOU ARE HERE,” over and over again. All I could say back was, “I KNOW! I KNOW!”

In discussions since, I’ve mentioned that I regret not committing earlier. If I had known all that this life would offer, I wish I had gotten here sooner. Yet every time, the person answers: “You got here right when you were supposed to.” I’ve prayed a lot on this: God’s timing. We have been experiencing infertility for almost 2.5 years, and honestly, it’s been one reason that I’ve procrastinated on this testimony. I imagined writing in here – ‘I gave my life to Christ, and we finally conceived!’ While I cannot give you that good news here yet, I can give you this news: God’s timing is never early, it is never late, but it is always on time. And no matter what you are going through – God is still good.

​“Do not fear, only believe.”  Mark 5:36

Written by Jade Hawkins, Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary.
Image: Google Gemini, Feb 23, 2026.

Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Renewal. Save the date: April 17-18 - Renewal Conference on Missionary Discipleship - with Bishop Scott McCaig - St. Michael's, Calgary. Details coming soon!

​On Wednesday of Holy Week, I walked into St. Paul’s Church in Gameti, NT, and found the Easter candle still burning after a funeral two weeks earlier. ​I thought of St. Paul’s wish for us..

When Fr. Kevin and I arrived in Yellowknife, Bishop Jon Hansen brought us to visit Jim Lynn in the hospital. His wife, Julia, sat faithfully by his side. Jim had served for many years as a priest before marrying and continuing his ministry as a chaplain in Yellowknife’s jail — a man who has truly emptied himself in service.

On Holy Thursday, I anointed Therese and her husband Louis, who is now diagnosed with terminal cancer. During the service, their children laid hands on them in prayer — a family who has spent their lives loving and serving one another.

Later, I visited Chantel, a young mother who chose life even when she knew her baby would have special needs. Cai, her little one, can now lift his head and eat soft foods. Though Cai’s father is no longer with them, Chantel continues to pour herself out, raising her four children with unwavering strength.

On Easter Sunday we renewed our baptismal promises and welcomed little Cai into the Church — into a life of walking the path of self-giving love. 

On Easter Monday, the community gathered once more — this time to honour Pope Francis, who had passed away. They drummed and sang honour songs, then lined up to strike the old church bell 88 times in his memory — another life fully spent in service of Christ and his people.

What an unforgettable week— a journey into the mystery of being emptied... so that Christ might fill us.
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"It is accomplished."

“We have been blessed to perform for the second time at the Cathedral,” said Fr. John Jwad, pastor of St. Mary’s Chaldean Catholic Parish. “I believe these types of events are very important to the Chaldean community because it gives parishioners a chance to meet fellow Catholics from different rites and also feel more at home at the Cathedral, which many don’t have a chance to visit often.”

Held on March 28 & 29, 2025, the Passion Play was presented by St. Mary’s Chaldean Catholic Parish and performed at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary. Directed by Stephanie Toma, the production told the story of Christ’s final hours with reverence and sincerity.  

The cast members—especially those from the St. Anne’s Women’s Group—played a key role in making the evening possible. The group gathers regularly for Bible study and fellowship and is actively involved in organizing parish events. “All the female actors of this year’s play are members of this active group,” Fr. John noted.

Unlike last year, this year’s presentation was part of a larger evening of prayer. On Friday, the night began with a Lenten reflection by Deacon Peter An. On Saturday, the play was followed by a reflection in Chaldean by Fr. John, along with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. 

“This year our Passion Play was designed to be part of a whole night of prayer and reflection rather than just a stand-alone event,” said Fr. John. “Our hope was that the performance was complimented with deep prayer and reflection.”

The Passion Play drew people from across the Diocese, including those attending a Chaldean-led event for the first time. Many were moved by the experience—not only by the performance itself, but by the chance to pray together across languages and traditions.

“Many people were very grateful and happy to be a part of such a beautiful night,” said Fr. John. “Many were moved to tears, many explained that this was exactly what they needed to prepare for Easter, and others shared that they were inspired to grow closer to Christ in these last weeks of Lent.”

​For the Chaldean community, religious plays are familiar and meaningful. “In Iraq, attending religious plays is a common practice in most Christian villages, especially during Easter,” Fr. John explained. “These performances bring back many good memories for many of our parishioners.”

Though the production was simple, the impact was strong. The Passion story has a way of drawing people in—especially when presented not just as theatre, but as prayer. Combined with the quiet moments of adoration and Benediction, the night offered something more than a performance: it became a time of encounter.

​As Lent gave way to Holy Week, the Passion Play served its purpose—not to entertain, but to lead hearts more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love. And for many, it was a reminder of the shared faith that unites the Church across cultures and languages.

“We hope it helped everyone who came to enter more fully into the spirit of Lent,” Fr. John said, “and to walk more closely with Jesus on the road to Easter.” 

Photos courtesy of St. Mary's Chaldean Parish, Calgary.

This Jubilee year our Share Lent theme is Turn Debt into Hope It is part of a worldwide campaign to cancel unjust debt and free some of the poorest people from its chains.
 
Lent is a time of conversion that invites us to draw closer to God. Now as we intensify our efforts at the approach of Easter, as we anticipate the joy of the resurrection, let us redouble our efforts to work for justice.
 
We still have time to respond to the call of Jesus, to Jubilee, and of Pope Francis, to seek the good for our sisters and brothers in the Global South. Pope Francis has called us to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in solidarity with those who are burdened with unjust debt, that they neither asked for or are benefitting from.

Written by Deacon Daniel Deck, Diocese of Calgary.

On Sunday, March 10, 2025, I had the privilege of being at St. Mary’s Cathedral to witness the Rite of Election.
 
The Rite of Election is a significant moment in the RCIA journey when catechumens preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist at the Easter vigil come forward and are officially welcomed into the community of believers.
 
These catechumens have been on a long journey, some for many years, as they seek to follow the heavenly calling in their lives. With their sponsors and catechists, they have been preparing and discerning God’s invitation to be faithful.

I have been involved with the Rite of Election for many years here in Calgary and have seen impressive numbers of people coming forward, responding to the heavenly calling, but this past Sunday, the walls of the cathedral almost split wide open.
 
The participants began gathering at the Cathedral just after 2 pm, making their way into the church and looking for their places. Each year, parishes submit the number of people they will be bringing so that pews can be reserved for the catechumens. This year, every pew in the Cathedral was filled to capacity, and the space behind the altar was filled with chairs to allow for even more attendees.
 
There were members from 35 parishes, as well as members of the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy, in attendance to support the 371 elect - a record number - at this major moment in their journeys to full admission. It was “deeply moving, I was fighting back tears much of the time,” as one member of the congregation observed. 

During his homily to welcome the elect, Bishop William T. McGrattan referred to the Letter to the Romans, where we are reminded “that when we confess on our lips that Jesus is born and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead,” we are witnesses to the great gift of faith given to us through grace.

We were reminded that our Diocese has embarked on a journey of renewal to touch the hearts of all the faithful in the. It is a journey to help us all respond to the Renewal call to be “missionary disciples in Christ, to become more of a church of encounter and witness, and to strengthen the family by strengthening the family, and strengthening the parish community.”
 
Bishop McGrattan observed, “This great number of people who are coming into the Church as catecumens and the elect throughout this diocese.. I believe that it is truly a sign of God's providence, God's hope that he continues to instill in us.”
 
We all should look to these elects and be inspired in our faith journey, embracing with the same courage that they have shown to live in a time, in a world in which sometimes this faith, this act of belief is not necessarily respected, nor is it understood, but is so important to bring hope to our world.  One of the priests in attendance offered this prayer for us all: “May the Holy Spirit lead all the elect to find the beauty of the Truth, that is Christ Jesus!”
 
The Rite of Election always falls on the First Sunday of Lent, when we are reminded of Jesus' forty days in the desert at the start of His sacred ministry. The forty days of Lent call us to reflect on our own lives and, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, open our hearts to prepare for the gift of salvation we celebrate at Easter.
 
I can only echo the beautiful words shared by one of the new elect: “It was emotional moment, bro, and glad I got to be part of it and be blessed by God’s calling!”

Lent is a sacred season of prayer, sacrifice, and renewal. For families, it’s an opportunity to grow in faith together through meaningful traditions and engaging activities. Below are ways to make Lent come alive for individuals, and families with children. Deepen your family's journey toward Easter.

Praying the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross allow families to walk with Jesus through His Passion in a meaningful way. 

• Swipe & Pray – Short Way of the Cross (Franciscan Mission tradition)
• ​Brother Francis - Stations of the Cross for children: Brother Francis: The Stations of the Cross - Stations of the Cross - FORMED
• Pray the Stations of the Cross with Hallow app on your phone
• Praying the Stations of the Cross at home
• For Teens & Children:
  • Stations of the Cross for Teens
  • Brother Francis: The Stations of the Cross (FORMED)

Family-Friendly Lenten Activities

Help children enter into the meaning of Lent through hands-on activities and traditions.

• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a family | Download Confession Card for Children
• Bury the ​Alleluia – A solemn way to say goodbye to a very joyous word until it is said again at Easter.
• Hang the Stations of the Cross in your home – Create a visual reminder of Jesus’ journey
• Try 79 Meatless Meal for Lent ideas 
• Create a Lenten Prayer Chain – Write prayer intentions or acts of kindness on strips of paper and link them together, adding a new one each day. Here's an example
• Start a Sacrifice Jar – Encourage children to place small tokens (beans, beads) in a jar each time they make a sacrifice. On Easter, replace them with treats to symbolize the joy of self-giving. Here's an example
• Follow a Children Lenten Calendar – Simple daily ideas of Lenten actions.
• Make a Lent Board - Display Lenten goals, sacrifices, and Scripture verses.
  Lenten Arts & Craft Ideas – Check out 40 Ideas for 40 Days for engaging activities that keep Lent meaningful.
• Engage in Daily Lenten Reflections – Set aside time each evening for a short Scripture reading and discussion.
• Pray the Rosary Together – Focus on the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent.
• Celebrate the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19th)
  • ​Set up a simple St. Joseph’s Altar with candles, bread, and flowers, and share a special family meal. 

Lenten Series for Children

Formed.org offers a wealth of Catholic content suitable for children, especially during Holy Week and Easter. 

• Brother Francis Series
  • The Bread of Life: Celebrating the Eucharist: This episode provides an engaging depiction of the Last Supper, making it ideal for Holy Thursday. ​
  • The Stations of the Cross: Guides children through the Stations with thoughtful meditations, suitable for Good Friday viewing.
  • He Is Risen! The Power of the Resurrection: Celebrates Jesus's Resurrection, perfect for the Easter season.
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• The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello
  • O Lamb of God, I Love You: A special episode dedicated to Holy Week and Easter, featuring a shadow puppet show of the Passion. ​
    
    
• The Witnesses Trilogy
  • God with Us: An animated film covering the life, death, and Resurrection of Christ​
  • The Messengers: The Birth of the Early Church: Explores the beginnings of the Church following Christ's Ascension.​
  • To Every Nation: Depicts the missionary journeys of the apostles spreading the Gospel.

Lent is more than a season—it’s a journey of the heart, a call to renewal, and an invitation to draw closer to Christ. Whether through prayer, reflection, music, or storytelling, these resources can help you enter into Lent more fully. Let them guide, challenge, and inspire you to embrace this sacred time with depth and purpose.

Playlist for Sacred Music during Holy Week & Triduum

​Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum invite us to walk with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. From the solemn chants of Holy Thursday to the sorrowful strains of Good Friday, the silence of Holy Saturday, and the triumphant hymns of Easter Sunday, these selections capture the essence of this most holy time.​

• Play/Listen now

Lenten Video Series
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• Daily Lenten Video Series with Fr. Josh Johnson: Set Free
  The Daily Lenten Video Series with Fr. Josh Johnson helps you recognize the seven deadly sins, prepare for Lent with specific fasts, and grow in discipline. It also guides you in prayer and provides a step-by-step examination of conscience for a deeper confession experience.​
  
  
• ​How to Lent
  How to Lent is a new series from the Augustine Institute that aims to equip Catholics with the tools to understand and practice the pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Guided by Solenne Santiago and with the help of priests and religious, this series will challenge our preconceived notions about Lent, laying out a roadmap for entering the season with a purpose. Don’t let Lent sneak up on you like it did last year. Instead, heed the call of St. John the Baptist by preparing for the Lord, using How to Lent to transform your spiritual life this Lenten season.
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• Triduum: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
  A beautiful, 30 minute contemplative documentary. This film cinematically walks through the locations of the Holy Week story, re-presenting the most important days of human history. Immersed in the real and sacred places of the Holy Land, the pilgrim faithful is brought tangibly nearer to the story, the landscape, and the reality of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
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• Lent – Formed Resources
  In this collection are resources to help the faithful deepen their understanding of various Lenten days, practices, and devotions. You can find resources on prayer, the mystery of Christ's Passion, the roots of Holy Week found in Judaism, and many things to help guide the faithful through the holiest days in our liturgical year—the Triduum.

 

​Shrove / Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras

• One of the great riches of the Catholic tradition is the way the year is marked with various days of feasting and fasting. One such feast day is Fat Tuesday (from French Mardi Gras), also called Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. On a practical note, it is a day to get rid of all the fats, meats, and desserts from your home before the Lenten fast begins. But on a spiritual note, Fat Tuesday is a day to rejoice in God’s abundance and generosity to us. So have an extra goody this Fat Tuesday, but when you do, give thanks to God for His goodness.
  
  

Ash Wednesday

• Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. It is a day of fasting and abstinence, reminding us of our need for repentance and our dependence on God. As we receive ashes on our foreheads, we are called to turn back to Him with open hearts.
  
  Fasting and Abstinence Requirements
  Catholics aged 18 to 59 are required to fast, meaning they may eat one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal, with no snacks in between. Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from meat. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1434) teaches, fasting is an expression of interior penance, helping us detach from worldly comforts and rely more on God.
  
  

Laetare Sunday

• The Fourth Sunday of Lent, called Laetare (Rejoice) from the first word of the Entrance Chant (Isaiah 66:10). It is a day where the more rigorous lenten practices are temporarily lifted, since it marks being past the half-way point of the Lenten Journey; we are now closer to Easter than we are to the beginning of Lent. Priests may wear rose (pink) coloured vestments as a sign of increased solemnity and joy. Keen listeners will note that the prescribed Entrance Chant’s melody resembles the Easter Vigil’s Alleluia, musically prefiguring the Easter Joy that is now so near.
  
  

Palm Sunday

• The Sunday before Easter is celebrated in a particularly solemn way, typically with the blessing of palm branches, processions and special music. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem where He is hailed as the Son of David, the Messiah. While certainly a joyous occasion, the Gospel for this day, St. Mark’s Passion, reminds us that Jesus enters Jerusalem ultimately to die on the Cross.
  
  

Holy Week

• As its name suggests, this is the holiest week of the year. Throughout this week, we journey with Christ through the profound events of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. 
  
  

Paschal Triduum

• Holy Thursday marks the celebration of the Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist
• Good Friday marks the solemn remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death.
  Fasting and abstinence requirements on Good Friday: Catholics aged 18 to 59 are required to fast, meaning they may eat one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal, with no snacks in between. Catholics aged 14 and older must abstain from meat. 
• Holy Saturday is a somber, silent, and strange day when the order of the universe is turned upside down. God is dead. The earth is gripped by a deep silence. It is the only day of the year where the Eucharist is not distributed.  ​

Easter Sunday
Christ is Risen from the dead, glorify Him!

Eastern Sunday is the holiest day of the Christian year, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the definitive centre of all of history. This day marks the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. This day is the culmination of the Paschal Mystery, bringing joy and hope as Jesus Christ opens the way to eternal life.

“I’m very good at Lent,” my friend confided, “but I’m not very good at Easter. I struggle with joy.”
​
My friend said this to me after I had spent most of the day reading Catholic works from the Middle Ages as part of our diaconal formation course from St. Mary’s University. When my friend confessed her struggle with joy, St. Anthony’s severe advice was fresh in my mind: “The fibre of the soul is sound when the pleasures of the body are diminished.” St. Anthony obviously loved the desert of Lent.   

St. Benedict’s rule includes not seeking after pleasure, hating one’s will, remaining aloof from worldly ways, and not provoking or loving laughter. Benedict was definitely a Lent-lover.

According to St. Bonaventure, the Holy Spirit whispered to St. Francis that “spiritual merchandise has its beginning in the contempt of the world,” and so St. Francis sought lonely places where he could voice groanings that could be uttered only to the Lord.

It is perhaps easy to see why some philosophers call Christianity sour, dour, and humourless.
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More confusingly, though, these statements are hard to reconcile when considering Jesus’ comments, “Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15: 9-12).
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Jesus is clear: if we keep his commandments to love one another as he loved us, to carry our cross daily, to feed his sheep, and participate in the Eucharist, we can partake in the same joy Jesus brings into the world when healing people or laying down his life for his friends. 

Joy should not be mistaken for a purely emotive state. Emotions are fleeting, whereas the joy Jesus describes is durable, independent of circumstance, and as much a part of what we will as what we feel. A resilient joy free from the vicissitudes of life is the only way we can make sense of comments from St. Paul that we might be “as sorrowful [as death] yet always rejoicing” (2 Cor. 6:10), or “I am overflowing with joy all the more because of our affliction” (2 Cor 7:4).
The next morning, I revisited the course readings from the Medieval masters looking for evidence of this durable joy, and I found a joy grounded in our creation.  

St. Bernard of Clairvaux points to the foundation of joy: “it is only right to love the Author of nature first of all… we should love Him, for He has endowed us with the possibility to love.” We love God because He created love and offers us the opportunity to love, to praise, to worship, and to rejoice in His work.   

God’s very being is an experience of loving intimacy, and this is the ground of our inmost self, as well. Julian of Norwich adorably describes this shared identity as a process of oneing: “He knit us and oned us to Himself.”

This oneing takes some effort; it takes work for Jesus’ joy to be complete in our lives. But in those rare moments when we are in harmony with Jesus and united to the Father’s will, the Holy Spirit will provide an unshakeable confidence that must be proclaimed because the only thing more wonderful than experiencing harmony with God is experiencing this oneing within a community. 

The Eucharist is the ultimate sharing of a commmunal presence with Jesus, and every time I accept his Body, I recall Mother Teresa’s prayerful declaration: “From now on, nothing can make us suffer or cry to the point of forgetting the joy of your resurrection!” Eucharistic participation provides a joy that is no longer just an emotion, but a permanent orientation to life itself.

My Sunday Missal for the Third Sunday of Easter translates Luke 24:41 as, “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.” The Apostles were full of joy and doubt. That’s the struggle. While I have experienced moments of ecstatic joy, most of my life is comprised of ordinary moments where I “cling to the naked promise of faith,” in Henri Nouwen’s words. In dark moments, all I have to cling to is the promise that Jesus told me the truth; that if I keep his commandments, I will remain in His love and my joy will be complete.

The cross protects us from a toxic positivity and a pollyannish view of life. But the cross is also the necessary means to joy, a fruit of the Spirit that, like all fruit, needs to ripen. Joy is still ripening within me, and the struggle of the Christian life is to create the ideal conditions for joy to grow.

Growing up, the Catholic Church was a feature in my life. My grandparents were regular Parishoners and my father, though lapsed in his own faith, made reference to the Church as a moral framework.

I attended a Catholic school in my formative years out of pragmatism, but was transfered to public school at the impressionable age of 6 and remained in it until graduation. This presence of the Church but separation by a membrane of apathy and intangibility led to my belief that I understood the Church, when in reality I was utterly oblivious to the depths of its grace.

This changed during the pandemic. In that time of struggle I was met with various hurdles, challenges that contributed to a deep malaise that overtook my life. It was within this climate of paranoia, uncertainty, and restriction, that I first began to take comfort in the stability and universality of the Church. I could find solace that cut through the pervading doubt that surrounded pandemic in the Truth of God. Apostolic succession, unchanging virtue, all surrounded by the vitality of the Church embodied in Christ. These were things that I did not know in my secular life, and graces that were absent in my other religious forays.

I sought a way to unify with the Church, with the way and the life that was a hope in the oppressive darkness of the world. However, my lack of living ties, and the fact that at that time I was only 16, impeded my ability to join. In 2023, following my High School graduation and rapidly approaching my 18th birthday, the potential of a new chapter in my life emboldened me to pursue the fullness of the Church. So I did. I found my way to RCIA, and was met with the spiritual and temporal benefits of the Church that began to impact my life.

Catechumenate life connected me with a fantastic array of people experiencing the ongoing journey of faith, people who were indispensible as guides along an uncertain bridge of intake into the Church. It was an honour for me to be able to undergo baptism with such a wonderful group of people, and to have the privilege to be assisted by the faculty of my Parish.

​Since becoming a Neophyte and I have received further blessings of faith, a galvanization to fulfill my duty as a Catholic and as a follower of Jesus Christ. I foresee a bountiful and happy life in the Church, so I hope that others can hear my testimony of its greatness to come and understand God.

We have a beautiful special needs daughter who brought new meaning to “joy”.  Hannah never learned to speak our language, but I could feel her love and her enthusiasm every minute I was with her. Hannah completed her earthly ministry in July of 2022 and left me with the biggest hole in my heart. Fortunately, a student and a wonderful friend of mine helped me see that where there is death, there is new life also.

I had been happy in my faith and was not looking for more. But when I attended Mass with my friend I was totally blown away. I could not believe how close I felt to our Lord during the Eucharist. I had thought that Catholic worship was pomp and ceremony, but what I saw and felt was a conduit to my Lord. I could not stay away. I started attending Mass every morning on my way to work. Twenty-four hours seemed like such a long time to wait to come back again.

A year ago, on Holy Thursday, I had accepted an invitation to a banquet at the Petroleum Club. At that time, I had not yet begun RCIA. So, when I accepted the invitation, I did not realize that I would miss the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During the evening, something told me that I was at the wrong banquet. I got up and ran to my car, drove to St. Mary’s, miraculously found a parking spot and was just on time for the beginning of the Mass. I was not sure why I was there, but when Bishop McGrattan started washing the feet of those who had been chosen, I felt the most overwhelming spiritual sensation and nothing else mattered. It was like a river cascading in my head. At that moment, I knew that I would be baptized the next Easter.

I must admit that my baptism at the Easter Vigil this year was a bit stressful – it was a departure from my past and I was confused and anxious. Now I realize that baptism is not simply an event, it is the beginning of a new life. While I didn’t feel an overwhelming sensation when I was baptized, I have felt a peace that is so beautiful and continuous since then. Something else happened as well – at my first confession. I needed to go, and I thought confession would be miserable with the priest scolding me. I didn’t want to go, and I rehearsed what I would say many times. But it was the most amazing experience – a loving priest understood me and gave me just the guidance I needed (and not what I had expected). 
 
I still feel the same way – every Mass is a spectacular adventure where I get to feel His love. I miss my beautiful Hannah, and I go and say a prayer at her grave each day. I know that “those who sow with tears will reap with shouts of joy” and I look forward to seeing Hannah again. And I am so thankful for my new life. I know that He died that we might live.

Submitted by Mark Anderson, from St. Mary's Cathedral Parish. Photos courtesy of Maria Hernandez. 

Triduum & Easter schedule in the parishes in Google Sheet

Bishop McGrattan will celebrate the following liturgies at St. Mary's Cathedral:

• Chrism Mass on Monday, Mar 25, 2024 at 7 pm
• Holy Thursday, on Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 at 7 pm
• Good Friday, on Friday, Mar 29, 2024 at 3 pm
• Easter Vigil, on Saturday, Mar 30, 2024 at 8 pm
• Easter Sunday, on Sunday, Mar 31, 2024 at Noon

On Saturday, March 9, 2024, St. Mary's Cathedral was illuminated by an inspiring expression of faith and community—the Eastern Rite Chaldean Catholic Community's modern rendition of the Passion Play. This event drew over 300 faithful, who were moved by the actors' passionate portrayal of Christ's trials and tribulations. 

The evening was framed by prayers and reflections in Aramaic led by Fr. John Jwad and Msgr. Noel Farman from St. Mary's Chaldean Parish. The entire proceeds from ticket sales and donations were dedicated to the building of a church for Calgary's 300 Chaldean Catholic families.

Immerse yourself in the visual journey and reflection from the captivating photos below. These scenes will take you into the heart of Christ's passion.  

Contributor: Fr. John Jwad, St. Mary Chaldean Community, Calgary.
​Photos courtesy of St. Mary's Chaldean Community. 

In preparing for this great feasting season of Easter, we abstained, prayed and gave alms. What would happen if we lived the Easter season with as much fervour as we live Lent?

What can we do to colour our spiritual lives with Easter joy during this liturgical season? 

1. Stay connected to the liturgy. The readings for daily Mass during Easter take us on an exciting journey through the Last Supper discourse and through the amazing and frightening experience of the early Church. Spend time reading the commentaries on these passages, meditating on them, and allowing God to speak to our hearts through them.
   
   
2. Find ways to rejoice! Enjoy God’s goodness such that joy overflows from our spirits, into our emotions, and even into our bodies. Some inspiration: make Sunday lunch or dinner a truly festive occasion for your family and friends every Sunday of Easter; carve out some extra time during Easter for your whole family; reflect Easter joy in your wardrobe, baking, outings, movie selections etc.
   
   
3. Reach out. Jesus taught us that “there is more joy in giving than receiving.” Renewing our efforts to bring others closer to Christ, to help others who are in need – those close to us, or those far away – can colour our lives with Easter joy, if we season those efforts with prayer and faith.

Why should Lent be the only time we make resolutions? God has graces in store for us this season, just as he did during Lent. We only need to keep our eyes peeled so that we don’t miss them.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
~ Hebrews 12:2

Excerpts taken from Fr. John Bartunek's article in SpiritualDirection.com:
"How can we celebrate the Easter Season more fully?" ​

HOLY WEEK ​

• Holy Week Resources for Ministry Leaders - Liturgical Catechists
• How to keep Holy in Holy Week - National Catholic Register

HOLY THURSDAY

• Holy Thursday Rituals at Home (PDF) - Liturgical Press
• Holy Thursday Sacred Music Playlist - Diocese of Calgary (playlist, video & music sheet) 
• ​Pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Divine Office
• Holy Week @Home Experience on Holy Thursday​
• Create Family Paschal Candle
  
  

GOOD FRIDAY

• ​​Good Friday Rituals at Home (PDF) - Liturgical Press
• Good Friday Sacred Music Playlist - Diocese of Calgary (playlist, video & music sheet) 
• Stations of the Cross - with your children 
• Stations of the Cross Colouring Book - from the Via Crucis at the Church of the Mother of God in Mengore, Slovenia.
• The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis - Reflection & Prayer
• Holy Week @Home Experience on Good Friday
• Begin of the Divine Mercy Novena 

HOLY SATURDAY & EASTER

• Holy Saturday Rituals at Home (PDF) - Liturgical Press
• Holy Saturday Sacred Music Playlist - Diocese of Calgary (playlist, video & music sheet) ​
• ​Blessing of the Easter Food
• Reflection - Preparing for the Easter Vigil ​
• Easter activities for Children - Catholic Icing
• 50 ways to celebrate 50 days of the Easter Season - Catholic Icing