The Rosary Light and Life - Current Announcements - March - April 2012

The other day someone asked me why Ash Wednesday isn't a holy day of obligation. I confess I was taken aback - first, because I had never considered the question and, secondly, because I had no ready answer. Obviously, the time had come for a little study, so I turned (as I always do) to our Catechism, which offered some very valuable insight on the nature of holydays.

The text remarks that the Church honors certain days by giving them the same character as Sunday. This includes the obligation to attend Mass, of course, but also encourages "...the faithful...to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder...the joy proper to the Lord's Day..." (CCC, # 2185) This reflects legislation in the Church's Code of Canon Law, which states, "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound...to abstain from those labors and business concerns which impede the worship to be rendered to God, the joy...proper to the Lord's Day, or the proper relaxation of mind and body." (CIC, #1247)

These remarks suggest two reasons for not considering Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation. The first is the practical difficulty, for most individuals, to enjoy any sense of leisure on the day. The second is the penitential - rather than joyful - character of the day. To attend Mass on Ash Wednesday is altogether appropriate, as this allow us to acknowledge our common sinfulness. However, to engage in activities that should characterize our day of Sabbath rest is not.

Ash Wednesday will be over by the time our readers receive this copy of Light & Life, but the Lenten season will continue to unfold - and invite us deeper and deeper into the Mystery of Our Savior's life, until we find ourselves with him in the Upper Room on Holy Thursday and witnessing his passion and death on Good Friday.

We can be mere spectators at these events, of course, but that is to miss the point of them. One of the Church's early writers said that Jesus took on our fl esh and went through every moment of our lives, even the last. Not so that we wouldn't have to, but to show us how, and to teach us how to do it right. Lent invites us to join Jesus - to unite ourselves with Him - on a life-transforming pilgrimage that leads from death to life.

Participating at Mass, meditating on the Gospel, and praying the Rosary are among the principle ways we can make the journey from Lent to Easter. And for those who wish to immerse themselves still deeper in the mystery of our redemption, the Rosary Center offers a new CD by Fr. Brian Mullady, Conscience: Preparing for Lent.

Fr. Brian Mullady has also prepared a new series of lectures, Philosophy for Theologians. This is a CD presentation of a 14-week course he offers to students at Holy Apostles Seminary. Those interested in philosophy from a Catholic perspective will find the material fascinating.

Walking with St. Dominic explores and compares Jesus' contemplative union with the Father to St. Dominic's life of intense prayer, which yields "fruits of contemplation," to be shared with others.

Fr. Andrew Apostoli's Fatima for Today provides new insight into the words of Our Lady. Pope Benedict XVI has praised the book for its capacity to help us "savor" the mystery of God's love.

Those interested in concise answers to modern questions about the faith will enjoy Fr. Kenneth Ryan's volume, Catholic Questions, Catholic Answers. Fr. Ryan is a contributor to Catholic Digest, and he provides insightful reflections on many current topics.

Consult the on-line secure order page to order these and many other works that are sure to enrich your faith!

Both A Servant and Free, by Fr. Brian Mullady. OP, offers a positive exposition of morality, and a clear refutation of the principle moral systems that contradict the Church's moral teaching. This latest work of Fr. Mullady's is now available from the Rosary Center, on our web site. The cost of the book is $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

Anyone who has ever wondered what goes into the education of a Catholic priest will be interested in Fr. Mullady's new CD, A Complete Study of Christ. Obviously, no academic course can exhaust the depths of Christ's nature and love, but this 15-CD series provides an excellent introduction to Catholic teaching on the person, life, and ministry of Our Savior. Although the series is intellectually challenging, it is accessible to anyone curious about the Church's long and beautiful Christological tradition.

The CD series is priced at $70.00, and may be ordered from the Classes, Retreats, and DVD section on our secure web order form.

WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED whether Confraternity members must pray twenty decades of the Rosary to fulfill the requirements for membership. The answer to this question is no. Pope John Paul II presented the Luminous Mysteries as a suggestion, which he hoped would contribute to the devotion of lovers of the Rosary. The present Holy Father has made no comment, so Confraternity members will continue to fulfill the requirements for membership by praying the traditional fifteen decades of the Rosary.

For those who wish to learn more about Pope John Paul's promoting the Luminous Mysteries, the Rosary Center offers a helpful new book, The Rosary, The John Paul II Method, by Robert Feeney. We offer it for $7.95 plus shipping & handling, and hope it will prove helpful to devotees of the Luminous Mysteries, as well as those who wish to learn more about them. To order please visit our secure web order page.

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