Penitential Fridays
Abstinence.
It is good to remember Fridays are still days of penance. Catholics continue to abstain from meat on Fridays, although it is no longer a sin if they do not. However, another form of penance should take the place of abstinence from meat. Many people fast on bread and water, or give up something else, perform some charitable work, give alms, and so on.
On conversion.
“The soul who rises from sin to devotion can be compared to the rising sun which does not dispel the darkness in an instant but little by little. A gradual return to health is always more lasting. Diseases of the soul, like those of the body, arrive at a gallop, but depart slowly, step by step.” - St. Francis de Sales
[Art: At the top: St. John Capistrano appearing to St. Peter of Alcantara. Today is the feast of St. Peter of Alcantara. At left: St. Peter of Alcantara.]
