For most of my life I experienced Lent – with its emphasis on sin and self-denial – as a dreary annual punishment. It was a season I dreaded but accepted vaguely as a necessary reality of life before Heaven. However, over the past few years I have come to know Lent in a new way. As I started seeing sin more clearly as something by which I brought disharmony and pain to my own soul, I began to experience Lent as a time that could help me feel better. God having created our souls designed them to work in a certain way to stay healthy. You might say sin is deviation from God’s spiritual health plan for our lives. And its effects can build up over the year, necessitating a period of focused treatment. Now I like to approach Lent as though I am checking my soul into a really good rehabilitation center for forty days – one with supportive staff, high-quality nutrition, and literally the best doctor in existence. Discomfort may be involved in my treatment plan at times, but I am confident that if I stick with the program I will leave a healthier, happier person. The Lenten Day at Spiritual Rehab is scheduled for March 7th from 8am to 11:30am in the Lady Chapel at St. Dominic’s. After morning mass and refreshments, starting at 9am, we will explore more specifically how to allow Lent to fulfill its purpose of healing and empowerment through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Below is a schedule for the event. Hope to see you there!

Lenten Day at Spiritual Rehab
With Br. Andy Opsahl, O.P.
Saturday, March 7
8am to 11:30am
In the Lady Chapel

8am Mass
8:30am Coffee and Refreshments
9am Talk One – Locating Symptoms
9:30am Silent Reflection
9:50am Talk Two – The Healing Process
10:20am Silent Reflection
10:40am Talk Three – Developing Your Treatment Plan
11:10am Question and Answer
11:30am Departure