Episode 2980: An Hour with Jesus: A Call to Conversion - 1st Week of Lent

An Hour with Christ: A Lenten Pilgrimage of Prayer and Sacrifice
Week 1: “The Call to Conversion”
Date: March 9, 2025 (First Sunday of Lent)
Theme: Understanding the purpose of Lent conversion through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
Opening Prayer
"O Lord, grant us the grace to begin this holy season with a contrite heart. Through the intercession of St. Paul, who taught us to discipline the body for the sake of the soul, help us to renounce sin and embrace Your holy will. Amen."
Feast Days for today:
St. Frances of Rome (1384–1440):
Early Life
St. Frances of Rome was born in 1384 into a noble family in Rome, Italy. From a young age, she exhibited great piety and a desire to serve God. However, as was customary for noblewomen of her time, she was married at the age of 12 to Lorenzo Ponziani, a wealthy and noble Roman. Though she would have preferred a religious life, she embraced her role as a wife and mother with deep faith and obedience to God's will.
Married Life & Charity
Frances proved to be an exemplary wife and mother, raising her children with devotion while also tending to the poor and sick in Rome. She found a kindred spirit in her sister-in-law, Vannozza, who shared her deep spirituality and desire to serve others. Together, they would visit hospitals, care for the needy, and provide assistance to the suffering often against the expectations of their noble status.
During times of war and plague in Rome, Frances opened her home to the sick and poor, turning it into a hospital when famine struck the city. Even when personal tragedies, such as the deaths of two of her children, struck her family, she remained steadfast in her faith.
The Oblates of Tor de’ Specchi
After years of selfless service to both her family and the needy, Frances felt a deeper call to religious life. Though she remained devoted to her husband until his death, she founded the Oblates of Mary in 1425, a lay religious community for noblewomen who wished to live in service to God while remaining in the world. This group, later known as the Oblates of Tor de’ Specchi, followed the rule of St. Benedict and dedicated themselves to prayer, charity, and caring for the sick.
When Lorenzo passed away in 1436, Frances finally entered the community she had founded and lived a life of strict devotion and service.
Miracles & Mystical Experiences
St. Frances was known for her mystical visions and experiences, including the presence of her guardian angel, whom she claimed to see visibly throughout her life. Many miracles were attributed to her, including healings and supernatural knowledge.
Death & Canonization
St. Frances of Rome passed away on March 9, 1440 at the age of 56. She was canonized in 1608 by Pope Paul V. Today, she is honored as the patron saint of widows, oblates, and automobile drivers, the last due to her accounts of being guided by her guardian angel on the streets of Rome.
St. Dominic Savio (1842–1857):
Early Life
St. Dominic Savio was born on April 2, 1842, in the small village of Riva di Chieri, near Turin, Italy. He was the second of ten children in a devout Catholic family. His parents, Carlo and Brigitta Savio, were hardworking and deeply religious. From a very young age, Dominic displayed a remarkable love for God, an intense prayer life, and a strong desire to grow in holiness.
At just five years old, he was seen praying alone for long periods. By seven, he made his First Holy Communion an age considered very young at the time. On that day, he wrote down four spiritual resolutions:
1. I will go to Confession frequently and receive Holy Communion as often as I am allowed.
2. I will sanctify Sundays and holy days in a special way.
3. Jesus and Mary will be my best friends.
4. I would rather die than commit a sin.
These resolutions defined his short but holy life.
Student of St. John Bosco
In 1854, at the age of 12, Dominic was accepted into the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in Turin, run by St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), who quickly recognized his extraordinary virtue.
At the Oratory, Dominic was known for his deep piety, love of prayer, and acts of charity. He encouraged his fellow students to frequent the Sacraments, practice virtue, and avoid sin. Despite his delicate health, he was joyful, friendly, and a natural leader among his peers.
He also had a deep devotion to Our Lady, the Eucharist, and the Holy Souls in Purgatory. He was frequently seen praying before the Blessed Sacrament and had a strong devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
Holiness and Mystical Experiences
Dominic Savio had several mystical experiences, including visions of Heaven. He once saw a bright light and heard beautiful singing, which he described as a glimpse of Paradise.
One of his most famous sayings was:
"A school without religion is like a body without a soul."
He also formed a group called the Company of the Immaculate Conception, dedicated to encouraging holiness among students. This later became the foundation for Don Bosco’s Salesian Society.
Illness and Death
Despite his zeal and holiness, Dominic’s health was fragile. In 1857, at the age of 14, he fell gravely ill with lung inflammation (possibly tuberculosis). He was sent home to recover, but his condition worsened.
On March 9, 1857, he passed away peacefully, whispering:
"Oh, what a beautiful thing I see!"
He died at the tender age of 14, yet his life had already made a profound impact on many.

Canonization
Due to the widespread devotion to him and the many miracles attributed to his intercession, Dominic Savio was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1954, making him the youngest non-martyr saint to be canonized.
Patron Saint of: Choirboys, Juvenile Delinquents, and the Falsely Accused
Legacy
St. Dominic Savio is an inspiring example of how holiness is not reserved for adults or religious but can be pursued by anyone, even children. He embodied the words of St. John Bosco, who taught:
"Holiness consists in always being cheerful."
Teaching Focus for the first Hour of Christ
1. Lent as a Preparation for Easter
Lent is a sacred time of spiritual preparation leading up to the greatest feast of the Church: Easter Sunday, the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. This period of forty days is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
Modeled After Christ’s 40 Days in the Desert
• The forty days of Lent mirror Christ’s own forty days of fasting and prayer in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11).
• Just as Christ endured temptation and overcame Satan through prayer and fasting, we, too, are called to combat sin and worldly distractions in preparation for our spiritual renewal at Easter.
• The number forty has deep biblical significance, symbolizing purification and testing:
o Moses fasted forty days before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).
o Elijah fasted forty days before encountering God on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
o The Israelites wandered forty years in the desert as a time of purification before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-34).
o Noah’s Flood lasted forty days, a time of cleansing the earth from sin (Genesis 7:12).
• Just as these figures prepared for a divine encounter, we must use Lent to prepare our hearts for the ultimate encounter with Christ at Easter.
A Time of Purification, Repentance, and Renewal
1. Purification:
o Lent is a time to purge ourselves of sinful habits through penance and mortification.
o By denying ourselves, we make room for God’s grace to transform us.
2. Repentance:
o The season calls us to true contrition for our sins.
o The Sacrament of Confession should be a frequent practice, allowing us to experience God’s mercy and be reconciled with Him.
o We heed Christ’s words in Mark 1:15: “Repent, and believe the gospel.”
3. Renewal:
o Lent is not just about giving things up but about growing in holiness.
o It is an opportunity to refocus on our spiritual priorities, deepening our love for God and neighbor.
o By Easter, our souls should be renewed in grace, ready to rejoice in the Resurrection of Our Lord.
2. The Three Pillars of Lent
The Church teaches that Lent is built upon three essential pillars: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These disciplines purify our souls and align us with Christ’s sufferings and virtues.
Fasting: Denying Self to Grow in Virtue and Detach from Sin
• Fasting is one of the oldest forms of penance, commanded by Christ Himself:
o “When you fast, do not be as the hypocrites...” (Matthew 6:16).
• Purpose of Fasting:
o Tames the flesh and disciplines unruly passions.
o Detaches us from material comforts, making us more receptive to spiritual things.
o Strengthens the will by practicing self-control over bodily desires.
• Traditional Catholic Teaching on Fasting:
o The early Church practiced rigorous fasting, often abstaining from food until evening.
o St. Basil the Great taught: “Fasting begets prophets and strengthens the powerful; fasting makes lawgivers wise.”
o The Council of Trent upheld fasting as essential for growing in virtue.
• How to Fast During Lent:
o Follow the traditional Church fasting rules (one full meal, two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal).
o Abstain from meat on Fridays and consider extending the practice to Wednesdays and Saturdays.
o Fast from other worldly comforts social media, entertainment, unnecessary conversations.
Prayer: Deepening Our Relationship with God Through Sacrifice and Contemplation
• Prayer unites us with God and strengthens our faith.
• Lent is a time for increased devotion, following Christ’s example:
o Jesus withdrew into solitude to pray before His Passion (Luke 22:39-46).
o He taught the importance of private prayer (Matthew 6:6).
• Ways to Deepen Prayer During Lent:
o Daily Mass (if possible) and frequent Eucharistic Adoration.
o Meditating on the Passion (using the Stations of the Cross).
o Praying the Rosary daily, especially the Sorrowful Mysteries.
o Reading Scripture and spiritual works (such as The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis).
o Offering silent prayer and mental prayer, following the examples of the great saints.
Almsgiving: Acts of Charity That Reflect Christ’s Love for the Poor and Suffering
• Almsgiving is a direct act of charity, expressing love for Christ through serving others.
• Biblical foundation:
o “When thou dost alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do...” (Matthew 6:2).
o Tobit 12:9: “For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.”
• Spiritual Benefits of Almsgiving:
o Helps detach from greed and selfishness.
o Reflects Christ’s mercy and compassion.
o Purifies the soul by making reparation for sins.
• Practical Ways to Give Alms:
o Monetary donations to the poor, missions, or traditional Catholic charities.
o Offering time and service to those in need (volunteering, visiting the sick or lonely).
o Forgiving others, which is a form of spiritual almsgiving.

Corriamo, corriamo, corriamo, ma verso cosa o per cosa stiamo correndo?
3. Papal Guidance: Pope St. Leo the Great
“What the Christian should be doing at all times should be done now with greater care and devotion.”
• Meaning of the Teaching:
o Pope St. Leo the Great (5th century) reminds us that Lent is not a time to do something extraordinary, but rather to live out the Christian life with greater intensity.
o Holiness is our daily duty, but Lent sharpens our focus and calls for greater fervor in prayer, sacrifice, and virtue.
• Application in Our Lives:
o Every Catholic is called to live out their faith seriously, not just during Lent but always.
o However, Lent is a privileged season to reignite devotion, remove lukewarmness, and strive for sanctity.
o We should use this time to examine our consciences, correct bad habits, and develop virtues that extend beyond Easter.
Lent is a time of grace, an opportunity to imitate Christ’s suffering and grow in holiness. By embracing fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, and following the wisdom of the saints and popes, we prepare ourselves for the joy of the Resurrection.

Gospel Reading:
Matthew 4:1-11 (The Temptation of Christ in the Desert)
1. Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.
2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.
3. And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4. Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.
5. Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple,
6. And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7. Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8. Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
9. And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.
10. Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.
11. Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.

• Christ fasts for 40 days, resisting the temptations of Satan.
• He demonstrates the power of self-denial, reliance on Scripture, and unwavering faith in the Father.
• This passage calls us to reject sin and trust in God’s providence.
Saintly Wisdom
• St. Augustine: "God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them."
• St. John Chrysostom: "Fasting is the support of the soul. It gives us wings to ascend on high."
Practical Application
1. Make a Concrete Lenten Plan:
o Choose one area of personal conversion.
o Implement specific sacrifices and devotions (e.g., daily Rosary, fasting from distractions, additional acts of charity).
o Keep a spiritual journal reflecting on struggles and graces received.
2. Accountability & Commitment:
o Find a Lenten companion or spiritual guide to stay accountable.
o Commit to receiving the Sacraments frequently, especially Confession and the Holy Eucharist.

Discussion Questions
1. In what ways is God calling you to deeper conversion this Lent?
2. Which of the three pillars (fasting, prayer, almsgiving) is the most challenging for you? How can you grow in this area?
3. How can we resist the temptations of the world, following Christ’s example in the desert?
Concluding Prayer
"Heavenly Father, purify our hearts and minds so that we may seek You above all things. Through the intercession of St. Augustine, help us detach from earthly distractions and hunger only for You. Amen."
Final Thoughts
This first session sets the tone for the Lenten journey, encouraging us to embrace conversion with sincerity. By focusing on Christ’s time in the desert, the teachings of the saints, and practical steps for growth, we prepare our hearts to walk with Him toward Calvary and, ultimately, the joy of the Resurrection.