A friend sent me an e-mail with this greeting, "Happy Va LENTine's Day." How appropriate too, knowing that today marks the beginning of our Lenten journey. How clever. It is so easy to take words and days for granted. Who would have thought that the word LENT was hidden in the midst of Valentine's greeting? 

How appropriate to find Lent in the midst of that word, for it is from the Heart of Love that we recall Jesus total gift of Himself for us. He became Man for our sake and His greatest desire was to bring all of us to the Father through the obedience and self-gift of His life for the salvation of all peoples. 

May this season of Lent bring each of us closer to His loving Sacred Heart.  Let us recall the opening prayer at Holy Mass for this Ash Wednesday: "Grant, O Lord that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of Christian service, so that, as we take up battle against spiritual evils, we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."

God bless you and this time of Lent in each of our lives!