Lent is winding down to an end. Both faculty and students at Gregory the Great Academy reflect on how well we have joined our sacrifices to Christ’s as we joyfully anticipate the Resurrection. If we have failed, this is not the time to throw in the towel. Rather, we acknowledge our all-too-human shortcomings, ask our Lord for new resolve, and use all our strength to make this last week, this time between death and rebirth, a triumph. The end of Lent is a great time to begin again.
Under the Same Roof as the Blessed Sacrament
We are greatly helped in this resolve by our privilege of living and working under the same roof as the Blessed Sacrament, Who reposes in our beautiful chapel’s tabernacle. If you were to slip into the chapel at any time of day or night, you would be likely to see several adolescent boys devoutly praying before the altar, or offering a private Stations of the Cross. How moving it is to silently share with young boys this time with God! They sacrifice their time, their much-needed sleep, and their enjoyment in order to love and serve the Lord.
Our best help, of course, comes from the Lord through the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. Confession is available daily, and the Eucharist is offered four times a week. During Lent, our Byzantine chaplain offers the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts, wherein the Eucharist has been consecrated at a previous Sunday Liturgy. This Pre-sanctified Liturgy is celebrated in the evening and combines Great Vespers with a solemn service of Holy Communion.
Daily Rosary, Lauds, and Compline, private devotions—all are seriously practiced by boys who are learning to be good Catholic men. They will be the priests, religious, and fathers of families who bring Christ to their little corners of the world. Their observance of Lent, fostered by the helpful atmosphere of Gregory the Great Academy, will make America and the world spiritually great. The end of Lent is the beginning of life.
