The writing & works of

The Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey

Day Seventeen | The Great Fast, 2026

My dear friends, sons and daughters in the Lord, the whole purpose of our Lenten journey--indeed the whole purpose of our lives--is to restore to our souls the purity that was given to us at baptism.

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Day Sixteen | The Great Fast, 2026

We rejoice today that our merciful father has welcomed us back home when we are the prodigal son, and that even when we are the older brother, he gently and sweetly invites us to share in the banquet of Thanksgiving, the Holy Eucharist.

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Day Fifteen | The Great Fast, 2026

If we feel the onset of spiritual envy, all we have to do is to look around and recognize that no matter how mysteriously or unevenly God's grace seems to be distributed, none of us has ever lacked the grace we need.

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Day Fourteen | The Great Fast, 2026

If we look down inside the twists and turns of our complicated and tortuous hearts, especially when today's fasting seems difficult, we will find there a love for God and a desire for holiness.

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Day Thirteen | The Great Fast, 2026

You are going to be hungry today. That's what happens when we fast. But in prayer, and especially in the Holy Eucharist, we can already be filled—filled with the very bread of life. In Him, may we all together attain to that ineffable feast.

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Day Twelve | The Great Fast, 2026

Our Lenten penances help us to get things in their proper order today: whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Accept the Lord's love. And today, during your Lenten penances, just try to love me a little bit more in return.

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Day Eleven | The Great Fast, 2026

Let's strive to hit our penitential stride today, my friends. But as we do so, let's be sure to look for the good in our neighbor. Let us fast in humility.

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Day Ten | The Great Fast, 2026

If God has not yet compensated for the wrongs done to us during our time here on Earth, then we are guaranteed a reward of His in heaven by His most generous grace. If we spend ourselves more than we are obliged to, God will return our generosity.

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Day Nine | The Great Fast, 2026

Our Lord goes beyond the external practice of the law and commands what no human law has jurisdiction over. He orders our feelings and desires. He commands that we be so like him that we imitate even his inner virtue.

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Day Eight | The Great Fast, 2026

God has not treated us according to our sins, but has freely forgiven us in order to show how deeply he cares for us. He has given us every good thing so that he might draw our attention to himself.

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Day Seven | The Great Fast, 2026

The great body of Christ is striving together to live out externally the conversion that is happening inwardly, as we look forward to the great day of resurrection.

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Day Six | The Great Fast, 2026

There is incredible wisdom and direction contained in the Lord's Prayer. We can know and want all that God wants for us (at least in a general way!) by examining what he tells us to include in our prayers.

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Day Five | The Great Fast, 2026

This is the heart of communion: we can unite our hearts with others to such an extenet that we can truly say that we live the same life as them. As Christians, we live with God.

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