Lent

The warm glow of candlelight washed over all gathered in the darkened Cathedral of Saint Patrick for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 19th. The Liturgy of Light (Lucernarium) commenced as Father Peter Langevin and ministers proceeded in silence and darkness to the rear of the Cathedral. There, Fr. Langevin spoke to the faithful about the significance of the vigil before bestowing a blessing upon the new fire, which would be used to light the Paschal candle. Father Brian Romanowski then carried the lighted candle down the main aisle into the dimly-lit Cathedral...

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Hello there. I offer an early Easter message to you. “Christ Is Alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world. His very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!” With these words, Pope Francis began an address to young people with the very first message found in the earliest preaching of the Church — in the words of St. Peter, “God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32) Peter and all of the ancient saint...

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The 2025 Chrism Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, April 16th, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich. The Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Norwich, presided over the sacred liturgy, which marks a highlight of Holy Week. This special Mass featured the blessing of the holy oils—used throughout the year for sacraments such as Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders—and the Renewal of Priestly Promises by the clergy of the Diocese. We invite you to watch the video of the full Mass, especiall...

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Holy Week Masses Cathedral of Saint Patrick Masses will be live-streamed as indicated by * NorwichDiocese.org/Masses   Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord April 13 7:30am + 9am + 10:30am* + 5pm Vigil Saturday, April 12th, 5pm   Chrism Mass Wednesday, April 16 10:30 am* No 12 pm Mass, no confessions   Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 17 Mass of the Lord's Supper, 7 pm* Confessions Following Service No 12 pm Mass   Good Friday  The Passion of the Lord ...

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In the stillness of the early morning, Mary Magdalene stood at the entrance of the empty tomb, her heart heavy with grief. “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” (Jn 20:15-16). The One she had followed, the Teacher who had changed her li...

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Each Lent I am reminded of what St. Peter wrote, “With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Pt 3:8). St. Peter affirms that God's perspective on time is holistic and all-encompassing. God sees and acts within the entire scope of time at once. So, I thought, if God comprehends all time at once, then God sees my entire life as one event – what does He see? The Church teaches that Lent is a time for Christians to engage in deeper reflection on their faith, to repent from sin and to renew their commitment ...

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On Sunday, March 9, the First Sunday of Lent, the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich was filled with faith and anticipation as catechumens from across the diocese gathered for the Rite of Election. This significant step in their journey toward full initiation into the Catholic Church marks their formal enrollment in the Book of the Elect, bringing them one step closer to the Easter sacraments. With our diocese still awaiting the appointment of a new bishop, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford presided over the celebration, offering words of encouragemen...

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Lent is a sacred season, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It mirrors Jesus' forty days in the desert, calling us to turn away from sin and deepen our relationship with God. During this time, the Church invites us to embrace three spiritual pillars—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—each offering a pathway to spiritual growth. Prayer strengthens our connection with God, fasting teaches us discipline and self-control, and almsgiving allows us to put our faith into action by caring for those in need. Of these three pillars, almsgiving is perhaps t...

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On March 5, 2025, the faithful of St. Andrew Church in Colchester, Connecticut, gathered to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the commencement of the Lenten season. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Mark Masnicki.  In his homily, Fr. Masnicki emphasized the significance of Lent as a period for personal reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal. He encouraged parishioners to engage in prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, aligning with the Church’s teachings during this sacred time. The imposition of ashes, a central rite of the service, saw con...

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In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living one’s life as a constant journey of conversion, choosing to walk in peace and hope aside one’s fellow humans. “May the hope that does not disappoint, the central message of the jubilee, be the focus of our Lenten journey toward the victory of Easter,” the pope said in the message, released Tuesday.  He also quoted St. Paul’s exclamation in the first letter to the Corinthians: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? W...

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