Pax Christi!
Today I will fast in response to Heaven’s requests along these lines; see, for instance, our Lady’s requests at Fatima.
Advice, moral support, comments and prayers welcome.
If this thread belongs under Prayer Requests, it can be moved, of course.
Penance! Penance! Penance!
God bless.
Beautiful! God bless you. Much penance is needed.
Please note that in the United States the bishops have asked that all the faithful abstain from meat on Fridays and fast on Fridays for the intention of the protection of life, marriage and religious liberty. (see
here). This is an invitation that is not binding under pain of sin.
While mild penances such as an additional day of abstinence or an additional day of fast should not be too much of an issue for someone to embrace, all sorts of serious penances and mortifications (stuff that on the long run can affect our health, our mood, or lead to pride or lessened charity) should always be subject to a confessor’s (or spiritual director’s) approval.
Nothing is more pleasing and meritful in Christ’s eyes than that which is done (or NOT done) under holy obedience.
Prayers especially recommended are the recitation of the Holy Rosary, of at least some part of the Liturgy of the Hours, of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, of the Prayers of Fatima - and of course, a devout attendance of the sacrifice of the Mass in the manner of Our Lady and St. John at the foot of the Cross.
All penance can be resumed in three aspects: prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. So, according to your means, try to also offer something for the poor. It can be an offering through the Church (so many communities, especially missionaries, need it!) or it can be lowering the car window and dropping some change or a buck in that poor man’s hands rather than turning our face to the other side
