Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I felt blessed yesterday to celebrate Mass at St. Patrick in Edina: The prominent holy water font at the entrance of the church made it particularly easy to imagine being at Jacob’s well with Jesus. Every time that we enter a Catholic Church and make the sign of the cross with holy water, we’re reminded of the gift that we were offered through the waters of baptism. As I waited for Mass to begin, I noticed that the toddlers all made a beeline to the font—that should be our inclination as well. I found myself praying especially for the hundreds of catechumens, now more properly called the “elect,” who will be baptized in our parishes this Easter.
The transformation of the Samaritan woman after her encounter with Jesus can be a great example for all of us this Lent. Throughout the centuries, our Orthodox brothers and sisters have given her a little more prominence than we have, referring to her as St. Photina (the “Enlightened One”). In spite of her checkered past, making her relatable to all of us, the Lord lovingly brings light into her life. Having encountered the light of Christ, Photina gives witness to Jesus throughout her town, prompting many to believe the Gospel. For that reason, the Eastern Church also calls her “Equal to the Apostles.” (What better way to be remembered?)
While Jesus makes it clear that he knows her sins, he does not approach Photina to condemn her, but rather to invite her to believe in him—to have a relationship with him—and it is that experience, that encounter, that leads her to conversion.
Jesus clearly desires to bring us, too, to conversion through a loving encounter with him—not at a well but in the confessional! Lent in this archdiocese is full of opportunities for that loving encounter. I was amazed this past Friday by the number of young adults who took advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation during the monthly Cor Jesu gathering at The Saint Paul Seminary. I felt so privileged as a confessor to be an instrument of God’s mercy.
I encourage you to encounter Jesus this Lent in the sacrament of reconciliation. He already knows our sins, as he did with the woman at the well, and yet he loves us anyway. That’s what he proved for us on the cross. We need to make the effort to come to him, however, if we want to experience the healing that he thirsts to give us.
Every good confession begins with a good examination of conscience, and for that, we need a good “game plan.” Perhaps the most common is an examination of conscience based on the Ten Commandments: Have we remembered to place God first in our lives? Have we honored those in our lives—mother and father, spouse and neighbor—through our thoughts, words and actions? This can be a very effective approach, but there are other ways one might make an examination of conscience.
For instance, we might wish to turn to the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are the meek; blessed are the peacemakers—a calling for all of us at this time of violence and unrest in so many areas of our world.
Alternatively, we could walk through the seven deadly (capital) sins and see how pride, envy and other sins can creep into our lives and damage our relationship with the Lord and one another.
You can also find examinations of conscience specific to where we find ourselves in life, according to our specific vocations—singles, married couples, even youth and young adults.
One final tip: Examining our consciences isn’t just a task for the 10 minutes prior to confession. St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged a daily examen, which combines gratitude, reflection and an opportunity to express our sorrow for times we have fallen short. This daily spiritual practice can help us be better in tune with our consciences, to be able to listen to the Lord’s voice and to allow him to shape our behavior moving forward.
Let’s pray for each other in this Third Week of Lent.
The transformation of the Samaritan woman after her encounter with Jesus can be a great example for all of us this Lent. Throughout the centuries, our Orthodox brothers and sisters have given her a little more prominence than we have, referring to her as St. Photina (the “Enlightened One”). In spite of her checkered past, making her relatable to all of us, the Lord lovingly brings light into her life. Having encountered the light of Christ, Photina gives witness to Jesus throughout her town, prompting many to believe the Gospel. For that reason, the Eastern Church also calls her “Equal to the Apostles.” (What better way to be remembered?)
While Jesus makes it clear that he knows her sins, he does not approach Photina to condemn her, but rather to invite her to believe in him—to have a relationship with him—and it is that experience, that encounter, that leads her to conversion.
Jesus clearly desires to bring us, too, to conversion through a loving encounter with him—not at a well but in the confessional! Lent in this archdiocese is full of opportunities for that loving encounter. I was amazed this past Friday by the number of young adults who took advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation during the monthly Cor Jesu gathering at The Saint Paul Seminary. I felt so privileged as a confessor to be an instrument of God’s mercy.
I encourage you to encounter Jesus this Lent in the sacrament of reconciliation. He already knows our sins, as he did with the woman at the well, and yet he loves us anyway. That’s what he proved for us on the cross. We need to make the effort to come to him, however, if we want to experience the healing that he thirsts to give us.
Every good confession begins with a good examination of conscience, and for that, we need a good “game plan.” Perhaps the most common is an examination of conscience based on the Ten Commandments: Have we remembered to place God first in our lives? Have we honored those in our lives—mother and father, spouse and neighbor—through our thoughts, words and actions? This can be a very effective approach, but there are other ways one might make an examination of conscience.
For instance, we might wish to turn to the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit; blessed are the meek; blessed are the peacemakers—a calling for all of us at this time of violence and unrest in so many areas of our world.
Alternatively, we could walk through the seven deadly (capital) sins and see how pride, envy and other sins can creep into our lives and damage our relationship with the Lord and one another.
You can also find examinations of conscience specific to where we find ourselves in life, according to our specific vocations—singles, married couples, even youth and young adults.
One final tip: Examining our consciences isn’t just a task for the 10 minutes prior to confession. St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged a daily examen, which combines gratitude, reflection and an opportunity to express our sorrow for times we have fallen short. This daily spiritual practice can help us be better in tune with our consciences, to be able to listen to the Lord’s voice and to allow him to shape our behavior moving forward.
Let’s pray for each other in this Third Week of Lent.
Join the Catholic Community Foundation to learn how Philomena House Maternity Home provides safe, loving homes for pregnant, homeless mothers, allowing them to choose life.
Holy Relationships Conference (March 28)
This conference presents the theological foundations and practical tools needed to build strong, faithful relationships that bring stability, hope and meaning to our lives and to the world around us. No matter your current relationship status, you will leave equipped with formation, clarity and resources to confidently pursue vibrant, holy relationships that stand firm amid the chaos.
Where sight fades, faith shines
At 81, Ron McBroom sells life insurance, walks to his appointments and delivers punchlines from memory. Legally blind and widowed, the New Prague resident begins each day the same way: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”
Bishops join the faithful in adoration at the Minnesota State Capitol
In the basement level of the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul, Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Deacon Kevin Conneely presented the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. At one point, over 60 people knelt and prayed before the Eucharist March 6 in the Capitol Vault Room.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Get The Catholic Spirit delivered right to your door and subscribe to the weekly newsletter.
Preparing our hearts for Easter
Easter is coming! Heidi Harvey and Janae Bower share their new series exploring post-Resurrection Gospel encounters, offering fresh ways to reflect on faith this Lent. Then, youth minister Brian Cox gives an inside look at Saint Paul in Ham Lake's Living Stations, where local youth bring the Passion of Christ to life.
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
175th Snapshot: The Archbishop that never was
Coadjutor Archbishop Leo Byrne served in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis from 1967-1974, but was never able to take the seat. he died suddenly before Archbishop Binz had officially retired. However, he made a deep impact on the Archdiocese during his years as coadjutor.
Archbishops Leo Binz and Leo Byrne with group of priests at Archbishop's residence, 1972. Standing on the left is then-auxiliary Bishop Lucker. Standing on the right is then-auxiliary Bishop Roach.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
777 Forest Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | 651-291-4400 | hello@archspm.org
Forwarded this note by a friend? Click here to get Together on the Journey from Archbishop Hebda every week.
March 9, 2026