A Lenten Program for Your Marriage
The Church is in crisis, as we all know. But that’s really nothing new. Anyone who has grown up within the last 60 years in the Catholic Church knows catechesis has been lacking regarding Christ’s teaching and the implementation of that teaching. Christ has promised us that the Church will not be destroyed, but it is possible that the structure of the Church may look different in the near future, for the good or for the bad. We firmly believe that it will be from the family that the solid Catholic faith will rise again and restore the strength of the Church throughout the world. Pope St. John Paul II said it best when he said, “As goes the family, so goes the nation, and so goes the world in which we live.” Another great past true shepherd of the Church, Bishop Fulton Sheen said, “Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, and the ears to save the Church.”
Yes, it is in the family where the truth of the Catholic faith will be restored, but it best begins with a solid, Catholic marriage. It’s time to put our heads down and prepare for an explosion of Catholic teaching through the laity. But just as any army must undergo determined training before they enter battle, couples must shore up their marriages before entering the serious battle that satan has launched on the Catholic Church and on marriage and family.
We would like to challenge you to
CANA 40 during Lent. What better time to engage in a strengthening and conditioning program for your marriage? Below you’ll find the program details that include strengthening techniques for your spiritual life as individuals and as a couple. It’s fairly rigorous, but that is because the battle we face is real. If it is more than you are ready to embrace right now, then try choosing two to three items from each of the two lists. At the very least, listen to the podcasts for each week, make a daily goal of how you will implement that virtue and at the end of the day examine how well you did today and how you can improve tomorrow.
The “training” podcasts will be sent each Sunday following the first one which will be sent on Ash Wednesday. Starting today listen to this podcast titled, "Marital Virtues". All of the podcasts are presented by Fr. Chad Ripperger. Just to give you a heads-up, he is an exorcist. So when he speaks of spiritual battles, he’s seen a few up close and personal, making him quite an expert. He is also an expert philosopher educated in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas. This first podcast reveals the necessary virtues to live a joyful marriage simply because it is a marriage that is pleasing to the Lord. He begins with humility, (imagine that!)) And covers meekness, spirit of mortification, benevolence, benignity, prayer, decorum and finishes up with faith, hope and charity. His explanation of charity is fantastic and that one virtue alone could truly change your marriage! Give it a listen. It’s a great preview of the ones to come.
We really hope you will join us in a movement to take back the Church by first taking back marriage and the family from Satan. God will bless our endeavors as we fight for His design for marriage and family. Please join us and please share with anyone and everyone. Benedicite!
CANA 40
A Strengthening & Conditioning Program
For a Virtuous Marriage
For 40 days add the following Spiritual additions to your life:
1) Accountability to one another - 1/week visit with each other for a minimum of 30 minutes sharing how CANA 40 is going and any benefits that you have seen.
2) Make 1 Holy Half Hour by yourself and one Holy Half Hour together each week.
3) Daily Focus - Listen to Fr. Ripperger’s podcast on the week’s virtue at the beginning of the week. Then each day spend a few minutes making a daily concrete goal to live that virtue in your day. At the end of the day do an examination of your day to review how you did on you goal.
4) Confession - 1/week
5) Set your alarm to wake up 20 minutes earlier than usual. Spend 15 minutes in prayer 3 days/week and 15 minutes in exercise 3 days/week. (If you are already in the habit of these, you have one less item on the list.)
6) Pray the Rosary daily occasionally using a Rosary mediation guide.
7) Pray the Litany of Marriage and Family daily.
For 40 days fast and abstain from the following:
1) No desserts, sweets, in-between meals, or alcohol except on Sundays
2) No music except that which lifts your heart to God.
3) No tv/movies/sports except on Sundays.
4) No useless surfing on computer or phone (Work and school needs only)
5) Abstain from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays while fasting (2 small meals that when combined do not equal the 3rd meal.)
Podcast Schedule
Week 1 - Prudence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8S517kHKEg&t=50s)
Week 2 - Justice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvDOQuNAorY&t=22s)
Week 3 - Fortitude (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYGXZVatmYA&t=13s)
Week 4 - Temperance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl7eqSLG-C4&t=5s)
Week 5 - Faith (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggm_dMae8io&t=2s)
Week 6 - Hope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_lShbsoD3g&t=2s)
Week 7 - Charity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erVh2qBHtKE&t=9s)
Litany of Marriage & Family
Lord, have mercy,.............................................................................................Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy,.........................................................................................Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy,.............................................................................................Lord, have mercy
Holy Mary, Spouse of St. Joseph,...............................................................................Pray for us
St. Joseph, Husband of Mary,.....................................................................................Pray for us
Holy Mary, Mother of God,.........................................................................................Pray for us
Holy Family of Bethlehem,.........................................................................................Pray for us
Holy Innocents,............................................................................................................Pray for us
Holy Family of Egypt,...................................................................................................Pray for us
Holy Family of Nazareth,.............................................................................................Pray for us
Sorrowful Mother, in our pain,..................................................................................Pray for us
SS Elizabeth & Zacharia, that we may be always faithful,.......................................Pray for us
SS Anna & Joachim, Grandparents of Jesus,.............................................................Pray for us
SS Isidore & Maria, protectors of farm Families,.....................................................Pray for us
St Gianna Beretta Molla, witness of Pro life & working Mothers,..........................Pray for us
St Margaret of Scotland, patroness of large Families,............................................Pray for us
St Elizabeth Ann Seton, a model of Hope,................................................................Pray for us
St Elizabeth of Hungary, help with the loss of a Child,............................................Pray for us
St Monica, you rejoiced for every good Influence,..................................................Pray for us
St Jane DeChantal, help us to teach our Children well,...........................................Pray for us
St Bridget of Sweden, Widow & Mother,..................................................................Pray for us
SS Benedict & Scholastica, Brother & Sister,............................................................Pray for us
St Rita of Cascia, help for difficult Marriages,..........................................................Pray for us
St Maximillian Kolbe, you gave your life that a Husband & Father could live,.....Pray for us
St Thomas More, patron of Stepparents & adopted Children,..............................Pray for us
SS Louis & Zelia Martin, Parents of Therese of Lisieux, that we might be worthy Parents,
Pray for us
All you holy married Saints,........................................................................................Pray for us
All you defenders of the Family,................................................................................Pray for us
All you holy Fathers & Mothers,.................................................................................Pray for us All you holy Sons & Daughters,..................................................................................Pray for us
All you holy Grandfathers & Grandmothers,...........................................................Pray for us
From all harm to our Families,...............................................................................Lord, save us From every sin and failing in our relationships with one another,................. Lord, save us Surround in Your love, those Families struggling to do your will,.......Lord, hear our prayer Grace our young people with true discernment for their vocation in life,...................... Lord, hear our prayer Bless with wisdom, each couple, preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage,................ Lord, hear our prayer Inspire married couples to be open to new life in their families,.................................... Lord, hear our prayer Give wisdom to Families dealing with untimely or difficult pregnancies,....................... Lord, hear our prayer Bring healing, reconciliation & peace to Marriages & Families in need,.......................... Lord, hear our prayer Guide and protect those who have lost a spouse through death or divorce,................ Lord, hear our prayer For all caregivers of aging Parents,.........................................................Lord, hear our prayer Strengthen and build Marriages & Families to be in Your service,.....Lord, hear our prayer
Let us Pray
O God, Teach us the sanctity of human love, show us the value of Marriage & Family Life, and by the example of the Holy Family and the many Marriage and Family Saints to whom we pray, help us to live in peace with one another, that we may share in your life forever. We make this prayer in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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