We are less than one week away from beginning the season of Lent! As we draw closer to this season of anticipation for the resurrection of our Lord, I hope you all have the chance to reflect on how to draw deeper into relationship with Christ :)

Last week, we came together to watch the 2020 Fatima movie on the Marian apparitions that took place there, while also having a discussion on the importance of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother (if you missed the movie, you can stream it on most platforms!). Today, we will meet at the Co-Rec at 8:00pm for fellowship in pickup basketball! We will meet right across from Freshens and find an open court from there. Even if you've never really played before, that's totally okay as all skill levels are welcome: come hang out and get to know the guys!

Today, we will also be continuing the tradition of the Bacon Boys! Join us after the 5:30pm Daily Mass (around 6:05pm) in the entrance of the church (the Gathering Space) where we will venture to Mad Mush for supper to down as many super-sized pizzas as we can. You can also just meet us at the restaurant.

Join us at one or both of these events, we would love to see you there! Always remember that all men in any stage of their faith journey (Catholic or not) and in any stage of their Purdue academic career (undergrad or grad students) are welcome to join us in fellowship, even if you haven't been in a while :)

This Friday, we will not be going to the St. Francis Perpetual Adoration Chapel with the many events going on around St. Tom's. Always remember that the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at St. Tom's is open 24/7 where Christ longs to spend time with you in the Eucharist.

Saturday marks the first Saturday of the month! That means we will be having our First Saturday Marian Devotion the Blessed Virgin Mary asked us to adhere to in her Fatima apparitions. Join us at 9:30am in the basement of the church where we will make reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through prayer & meditation, the Rosary, making a confession, and receiving the Eucharist at Mass. Br. Jacob will also be giving on a talk on the beauty and importance of our Holy Mother. Join our Marian group chat in the link below to learn more and stay connected with all of those seeking devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

This upcoming Monday, we will be continuing our Weekly Rosary Walk! All are welcome to join us after the 5:30pm Daily Mass (around 6:10pm) for a 20-minute walk around campus where will honor the Blessed Virgin Mary through her most Holy Rosary. The Rosary is a beautiful way to grow in devotion to our Mother, if this is a form of prayer you have never really entered into before, I really encourage coming to join us!

Gentlemen, the season of Lent is nearly upon us, less than a week away! This is a season of our liturgical calendar that is one of repentance, anticipation, and sacrifice. Often times so many of us let Lent catch us by surprise, and we find ourselves in the thick of the forty days without really entering into the season with intention: it is so important for us to now start reflecting and planning on how we will enter into this penitential season. 

Just this last week, I was having a conversation with our very old & wise Ryan Hunt, he told the joke that the Church offers Lent as chance for us to pick up our New Years resolutions we have already let slide. Upon further reflection, I realized just how easy it is for us to make this into a reality. It can be easy for us to choose something to do for Lent that mimics a New Years resolution such as dieting, exercising more regularly, aimlessly giving up sweets because it is something we've done since we were ten. Although they can be good things, this leads us to totally miss the point of what the season of Lent means for us as Christians.

The reason Lent is set as forty days is because in scripture, forty days was indicative of a time of testing, trial, penance, purification, and renewal. We see the forty days appear first in the book of Genesis where the great flood purified and renewed all the Earth. We then see the forty days appear multiple times in the book of Exodus as a time of testing for the Israelites. In the book of Kings, we see Elijah spend 40 days fasting in the desert before encountering God, and see Jonah give prophesy to the destruction of Ninevah in forty days if the people did not repent. Finally, our Messiah, Jesus Christ spent forty days in the desert before His public ministry being tempted and tested by the Devil.

The season of Lent allows for us to reflect on each of these times in scripture so that we may truly be prepared to remember the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ who underwent the ultimate sacrifice for each of us, leading us to more fully and better celebrate his conquering of death in His Resurrection.

We must also let this season of Lent be one of testing, trial, penance, purification and renewal, cutting out everything that keeps us from entering into relationship with God. The three pillars of Lent are as follows:

1. Prayer

2. Fasting

3. Almsgiving

As you reflect, think about what ways you may be attached to worldly things and implement these three pillars as a means of filling the holes our sin leaves us with in our lives. There are some great videos from Ascension Presents that can help provide some insight on what to choose to for Lent if you're struggling! If you have never really entered into this beautiful season of penance before, there is no better time than to start now :)

We must take up our crosses and follow our Savior into the desert who endured everything to save us...

Hope to see you all tonight!

Praying for you always

St. Benedict, Pray for Us

-BCM Leaders