From the Archbishop

Catholics mark the beginning of the holy season of Lent with the reception of blessed ashes, acknowledging our sinfulness and the reality that one day we ourselves will return to dust. Over the course of these 40 days, the Church encourages us to refocus our lives on the things of heaven and to turn away from the things of this passing world.

In his homily for the opening of the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Church exists to evangelize. Faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ’s command, his disciples went out to the whole world to announce the Good News, spreading Christian communities everywhere” (Homily, Oct. 7, 2012).

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Francis de Sales, principal patron of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  As a bishop and renowned confessor and spiritual guide, St. Francis de Sales led people to follow the Lord more devoutly, and his writings have inspired countless thousands over the past 400 years to walk the path of holiness.  It is good for us to consider how we also can lead people to Christ in our time and place, particularly through the parishes of the archdiocese.

The last Sunday in January marks the kick-off of National Catholic Schools Week, a time set aside by dioceses throughout our country to highlight the importance of faithful, integral Catholic formation and education to the salvific mission of the Church. During this week we also celebrate the feast days of two saints whose legacies are significant for Catholic education. On January 28 . . .

On Christmas morning, in the opening prayer of the Mass at Dawn, e ask God to allow the light of faith, which radiates from the incarnate Word, to shine through in our deeds. This prayer reminds us of . . .

Yesterday’s passage of Issue 1 is deeply disturbing. The people of Ohio missed on this important opportunity to demonstrate that the health and safety of women, the fundamental rights of parents, and the lives of preborn children deserve protection.