The month of March, being immersed in the journey of Lent, offers us a time to renew our faith with simplicity of heart, to receive God into our lives and thus allow him to “make his dwelling” with us (cf. Jn 14:23).
Traditionally, March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph and, in 2021, takes on a particularly significant meaning, since it falls within the context of the special Year dedicated to Saint Joseph, proclaimed by Pope Francis on December 8, 2020. Saint Paul VI reminds us that he “is the model of the humble whom Christianity raises to great destinies; Saint Joseph is proof that, in order to be good and authentic followers of Christ, ‘great things’ are not required, but only ordinary, human, simple, yet true and authentic virtues.”
Let us place ourselves under his protection to face our daily joys and difficulties with a renewed outlook; let us feel him close to us on our journey. Let us remember that on March 19, on the occasion of the solemnity, we can obtain a plenary indulgence “with the soul detached from any sin” and under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions), by reciting “any legitimately approved prayer or act of piety in honor of Saint Joseph.” During the Year of Saint Joseph, we can receive the gift of the Plenary Indulgence in various circumstances: the volume published by Shalom Publishing, “Patris corde,” includes the document of the Apostolic Penitentiary listing the ways to obtain the indulgence.
In addition to Saint Joseph, in March we also remember Saint Luigi Orione, one of the most prominent figures of the last century for his openly lived Christian faith. Don Orione and charity are inseparable. John Paul II called him “a strategist of charity”; indeed, the spiritual and pastoral program lived and passed on by Don Orione is summed up in the phrase: “Only charity will save the world,” through which he proposed to everyone the high standard of charity. Following his example, let us commit ourselves to living and allowing the charity of Jesus Christ to shine in us as well!
On March 25, we will then celebrate the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, which inaugurates the event in which the Son of God becomes flesh to accomplish the redemptive sacrifice in obedience to the Father and to be the first of the risen.
During this month, which will lead us toward Easter, let us also live intensely all those moments offered to us to deepen our intimate conversation with Jesus: from the Way of the Cross every Friday of Lent, to meditation on the passion of Jesus, from contemplation of the crucifix to moments of adoration that help us remain centered on him.
On March 28, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord begins Holy Week, during which the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation brought to fulfillment by Christ in the final days of his life, beginning with his messianic entry into Jerusalem.
At the beginning of this Holy Week, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace to live with him, accompanying him through prayer and meditation on the Word of God, and through the choice of small acts of love. We too, like Mary of Bethany, can pour fragrant ointment on the wounds of those in need, so that this fragrance may teach pity, compassion, kindness, and love.
During this week, let us place ourselves at the school of Jesus to learn love from the one who suffered for us and never stopped loving us to the end.
Let us walk with hope toward the light of Easter!
