mass – CATHOLIC AND CHOCOLATE

Holy Week… how you all doing?

Our lenten challenges, sacrifices, and goals come to an end or continue past Easter???

I don’t know about you, but outside of the physical, my spiritual sacrifice has been difficult to conquer!

I notice that the challenge depends who I’m with. There are those that don’t put me in a spot to gossip and then there are those that provoke it. Yet either way, I’m the only one accountable.

There’s also that fine line. The white lie that tells you…”it’s ok, you’re not doing any harm speaking these things.”

I even find myself tip toeing around it. Like “oh as long as I don’t go there I’m ok and still will be able to get my point across.”

There’s also the hit over the head later reaction. Out of nowhere, it comes to you on something said that I immediately feel regret and ask the Lord to forgive me.

So with this Lent drawing to an end, are you feeling triumphant or defeated?

I guess I feel neither. I’m better at being mindful but I’m nowhere perfect!

I have to do better in offering my day to Lord along with prayer and daily readings. The more I involve our Lord into my day, the better off I am. In being shielded from speaking things I need to shut my mouth about.

There is a quote from I don’t know who said it but it’s relative to the 8th commandment “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor”. It says your words about another should be encouraging and not destructive.

Gossip is so easy to do. Hard for me to not say something when I’m angry with someone in how they’re treating others and I feel like I need to vent it out! It’s like a false remedy. If I say something I’ll feel better. Instead what you’re doing is adding to the darkness that already exists! Gossip can cause others to fall into the trap and sin too.

So on this Monday of Holy Week, I hope and pray that the goodness you gained in this Lent continues to grow strong. That any amount of virtue gained, points to Jesus. May your Easter be blessed and rich in His presence. And don’t forget HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!+++

I have been blessed to see St. Peter’s twice. I wish I had taken better pictures or knew how to work my camera, but I think you can still receive what I captured. I like to take pictures of areas of the church that are not typically photographed. Well, at least what I’ve come across.

They said on the tour, the lettering that is in the gold trim is about 7 feet in height.

We were told the altar weighs 9 tons. All in bronze.

Altar of the Holy Spirit made out of alabaster

Inside St. Peter’s there are “mini” altars where Mass is given on each side leading to the main altar.

Pieta. Protected by thick glass due to someone who tried to destroy it. This was the closest I could get to it.

Outside the basilica walls…

My reaction to St. Peter’s was I can’t get enough. There is so much to take in and I know even though I have seen it twice, I know I missed so much. Really, St. Peter’s is what you would expect to represent our faith. Grandeur, peace (even among thousands squirming around you), profundity, and such thoughts that make you think of all the years the Church has had. How many people/pilgrims have visited this holy place??? I hope to see it again!

Please check the ‘Church Beauty’ tab for other parishes visited.

Tag: mass

Down the Lenten homestretch!

St Peter’s Basilica – Rome, Italy