Good morning! On this feast of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Dr. Matthew Bunson to tell their incredible story of heroism and commitment to Christ. Other guests include Fr. Boniface Hicks with more thoughts from the saints on personal prayer, and Kris McGregor to reflect on a selection from the Office of Readings. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer for Enlightenment

Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God, grant us in our misery [the grace] to do for You alone what we know You want us to do, and always to desire what pleases You.

Thus, inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened, and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, by Your grace alone, may we make our way to You, Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified God all-powerful forever and ever. Amen.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Fr. John Gavin, SJ, to share more thoughts on Christian maturity from the Church Fathers. Other guests include Stephanie Mann to continue our series on Robert Hugh Benson’s “Friendship with Christ,” Teresa Tomeo from EWTN’s Catholic Connection, and Kevin Schmiesing with This Week in Catholic History. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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Despair Prayer of St. Claude de la Colombiere

Lord, I am in this world to show Your mercy to others. Other people will glorify You by making visible the power of Your grace by their fidelity and constancy to You. For my part I will glorify You by making known how good You are to sinners, that Your mercy is boundless and that no sinner no matter how great his offenses should have reason to despair of pardon. If I have grievously offended You, My Redeemer, let me not offend You even more by thinking that You are not kind enough to pardon Me. Amen.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Greg Willits to share more thoughts on discipleship from St. Louis de Montfort. Other guests include Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo from the Institute of Catholic Culture and Fr. Jonathan Duncan from the Bone Church Revival podcast to preview the Mass readings for the Third Sunday of Lent, plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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A Prayer for God’s Protection

O God, You are the preserver of men, and the keeper of our lives. We commit ourselves to Your perfect care on the journey that awaits us. We pray for a safe and auspicious journey. Give Your angels charge over us to keep us in all our ways. Let no evil befall us, nor any harm come to our dwelling that we leave behind. Although we are uncertain of what the days may bring, may we be prepared for any event or delay, and greet such with patience and understanding. Bless us O Lord, that we may complete our journey safely and successfully under Your ever watchful care. Amen

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Becca Corbell is online at setonshrine.org.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Rita Heikenfeld to discuss more meatless Lenten recipe ideas using foods mentioned in the Bible. Other guests include Kevin Prendergast on using Lent as a time to work on being a better parent, and Gary Michuta on what it means for Jesus to refer to himself as the Alpha and Omega. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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Prayer of Pope St. John Paul II

O God, You are our Creator . You are good and Your mercy knows no bounds . To You arises the praise of every creature.

O God, You have given us an inner law by which we must live. To do Your will is our task . To follow Your ways is to know peace of heart. To You we offer our homage .

Guide us on all the paths we travel upon this earth. Free us from all the evil tendencies which lead our hearts away from Your will . Never allow us to stray from You.

O God, judge of all humanity, help us to be included among Your chosen ones on the last day.

O God, Author of peace and justice, give us true joy and authentic love, and a lasting solidarity among peoples. Give us Your everlasting gifts. Amen.

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RECIPES FROM RITA: VEGETARIAN STUFFED SHELLS

Ingredients

20 jumbo pasta shells, cooked until 75% done
Filling:
3-4 cups marinara sauce – I used 4
15 oz ricotta cheese – I used full fat
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3-4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – 2 cups in mixture and 1 or 2 for top
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 nice clove garlic, minced real fine
1/4 cup parsley, plus more to garnish or chopped frozen, thawed spinach, a cup, microwaved, then drained real well (remove all moisture) – both are optional, but. nice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375.
After shells are cooked, drain and then pour cold water over them in the pot. This keeps them from sticking.
Spray a 9×13 pan. Pour sauce in bottom.
Mix together ricotta, Parmesan, 2 cups mozzarella, garlic, parsley or spinach.
Add salt and pepper to taste, then mix in the egg.
Remove shells from cold water, drain and then fill each shell with cheese mixture. I use an ice cream scoop.
Sprinkle with rest of mozzarella.
Cover with foil (spray underside to keep cheese from sticking).
Bake 25-30 minutes until done. Remove foil and bake a bit more if cheese needs to melt more.

Find more recipes at abouteating.com.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Gary Zimak to continue our series on a scriptural approach to giving up worry for Lent. Other guests include Dr. Brandon Harvey with tips for making the Bible more a part of your everyday life, and Deacon Nathan Biersdorfer with more reflections from Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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A Prayer for Those Who Will Die Today

Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray You, by the agony of Your most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Your Immaculate Mother, to wash in Your Most Precious Blood, the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today.

Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.

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Cincinnati Right to Life is online at cincinnatirighttolife.org.

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Happy feast of St. Katherine Drexel! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell discuss the life and legacy of this uniquely American saint. Guests include Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, with more thoughts on personal prayer from the saints, Kris McGregor to reflect on a selection from the Office of Readings, and all the latest news, weather, sports, and more…

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A Prayer for Priests

Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests.
Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.

Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.
Set their souls on fire with love for your people.

Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.

Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.
Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.

Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Dr. Matthew Bunson to discuss what St. Bernard of Clairvaux can teach us about Lent. Other guests include Teresa Tomeo from EWTN’s Catholic Connection, and Kevin Schmiesing with This Week in Catholic History. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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Prayer for Help from Jesus

Lord, in every need let me come to You with humble trust saying, “Jesus, help me.”
In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations, Jesus, help me.
In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, help me.
In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles, and sorrows, Jesus, help me.
When others fail me and Your grace alone can assist me, help me.
When I throw myself on Your tender love as a father and savior, Jesus, help me.
When my heart is cast down by failure at seeing no good come from my efforts, Jesus, help me.
When I feel impatient and my cross irritates me, Jesus, help me.
When I am ill and my head and hands cannot work and I am lonely, Jesus, help me.
Always, always, in spite of weakness, falls, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, help me and never forsake me.
Amen.

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Fr. Columba Jordan is online at ascensionpress.com.

Dr. John Pepino is online at instituteofcatholicculture.org.

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Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Maria Morrow to talk about her book, A Busy Parent’s Guide to a Meaningful Lent. Other guests include Greg Willits with more wisdom from St. Louis de Montfort, and Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo from the Institute of Catholic Culture and Fr. Jonathan Duncan from the Diocese of Charleston to preview the Mass readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

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A Prayer for the Sick

Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servants to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

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Maria Morrow, author of A Busy Parent’s Guide to a Meaningful Lent

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