The season of Lent is almost here: are you ready? Join Fr. Claude Williams and Fr. Ambrose Criste for a thoughtful discussion of ways you can better prepare for this blessed season. The canons will address:
- Seasons of Life: How do various Catholic cultures prepare for Lent?
- Prayer: What type of prayers are good for Lent?
- Examination of Conscience: How can we reflect on our personal lives ahead of Lent?
- Requirements for Lent: Why are praying, fasting, and almsgiving so important?
- The Spiritual Value of Lent: What are different spiritual mindsets for Lent?
HOSTED BY:
Fr. Claude Williams, O.Praem.
Fr. Claude Williams, O.Praem., is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He entered the Norbertine Order in the summer of 2000 after attending Franciscan University of Steubenville from 1998-2000. From 2004-2007, he studied at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Sacred Theology with a concentration in dogmatics.
Fr. Claude served for five years as Vice Dean of Students at St. Michael's Preparatory High School in Silverado, California. During this time, Fr. Claude also ministered in the classroom as a teacher in several departments. After his ordination in 2009 until 2012, Fr. Claude provided sacramental assistance to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Irvine. From 2012-2018, Fr. Claude served as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist parish in Costa Mesa where he ministered to the Italian, Spanish and Latin Mass communities. Additionally, during these years living in Costa Mesa, he served as Chair of Liturgy for the National Black Catholic Congress and as chaplain for CALL (the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders) in the Diocese of Orange, California.
From 2018-2021, Fr. Claude served as Rector of Sts. Peter & Paul School in Wilmington, California. During these years he also provided sacramental assistance to Transfiguration Catholic Church in Los Angeles and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Encino. In the summer of 2021, he was appointed Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Wilmington. For leisure, Father enjoys traveling and spending time with his Norbertine community.
Fr. Ambrose Criste, O.Praem., S.T.L.
Fr. Ambrose Criste is a Norbertine Canon at St. Michael's Abbey. He grew up in Colorado and graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Classics/ History/ Politics. He won the Rhodes Scholarship and began a graduate degree at Oxford University before answering God's call to religious life and the priesthood. He entered the monastery in 2000, made solemn profession in 2006, and was ordained a priest in 2008. He finished his priestly studies in Rome with pontifical degrees from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) and the Pontifical Gregorian University. Over the last 13 years he has served in various roles, including vocations director, novice master, and director of formation for his abbey community.
