A chickadee perches in a tree on Good Friday of 2014, the day after the ashes of my parents were buried in the plot below its branches.
Lent ushers in hope. As my dad used to observe, the word Lent means “lengthening” — the days get longer, reaching out to the hope of resurrection. May hope sustain you on this Ash Wednesday.
Here are a couple of resources for the season of Lent (more to come):
Last month, I was asked by some Catholics in India if I would give a presentation about how to start a podcast. I’m posting the Zoom recording here:
The slides I presented, along with hyperlinks to the various resources I mention, are available here.
It’s the feast day of St. John of the Cross, one of my favorite spiritual writers of all time. (Doesn’t sound very detached, does it? Still working on that nada doctrine.)
I’ve created a multimedia retreat with Saint John of the Cross — and his Sayings of Light and Love — here. It works well on mobile devices.
Also, I did a series of posts on John of the Cross during Lent of 2004. Here are the links:
Why is the dark night necessary?
discernment of the night of the senses
This past year, I moved my website to a new platform, so I need to re-tool the online Advent calendar I’ve posted each year since 2008.
I may be a bit delayed in posting this year’s calendar. But, in the meantime, here is a video for the first Sunday of Advent:
Blessed Advent!
I have two movies to recommend this month, both very appropriate for October, the month dedicated to the rosary. I have personal connections with the creators of both films, for full disclosure, from my years in Hollywood.
Today, I’ll post about a documentary on the life and work of Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, the Irish-born priest who initiated a worldwide movement of family prayer. The film Pray opens in theaters this weekend.
When I lived in Los Angeles, I worked for Father Peyton’s non-profit in Hollywood: Family Theater Productions. I helped to digitize a massive collection of vinyl recordings of his popular weekly radio program, Family Theater Presents, which began airing on the Mutual Broadcasting System at the end of World War II.
“Utilizing radio, films, outdoor advertising and later television, with the help of celebrities, artists and advertising practitioners, Peyton was one of the first pioneers of evangelism using mass media. He would also pioneer in conducting public rallies to bring families to pledge to pray the Rosary as a unit. These Rosary rallies attended by millions would become the most significant event where Peyton could be best remembered.” (source)
I had a chance to participate in an advance online screening this past summer, and can vouch that it’s a very inspirational look at a tireless contemporary apostle of family prayer. While it’s a timeless message, in the current social climate of radical individualism, identity politics, and the decimation of family life, it seems especially relevant as a healing balm for the culture and a sign of hope.
For theater locations and showtimes, visit https://www.praythefilm.com.
On Tuesday, I’ll post about the second movie I’m recommending for October.
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