PRE-LENT SEASON 2009 Dear Brethren in Christ, The period of two and a half weeks beginning at Septuagesima Sunday (8 February this year) and ending on Shrove Tuesday (24 February) is the period of preparation for Lent. Lent, of course, begins on Ash Wednesday, and is our time of penitential preparation for Easter. Forty days (excepting Sundays) intended for self denial and prayerful reflection. Prior to that, though, is the pre-Lent season, often known as the Carnevale or Mardi Gras season. While it is also a time of anticipation, its nature is more of that of revelry; reminder of the joyous spirit that we will again see on the other side of Lent. Some areas are famous for their celebrations, such as Venice (the famed Carnival of Venice), Mobile and New Orleans for their extensive Mardi Gras balls, parades, and parties, and Brazil for Carneval. After this Mardi Gras season, we will stop singing the Gloria and the Alleluias in the mass, and they will not be heard again until Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil. Flowers will removed from the altar. Many will use wooden processional crosses. Crosses and icons will be draped from Passion Sunday. This spartan nature exists as an act of penance to help purify us for the celebration of the resurrection. Before we go into the Lenten season, with all its spartan simplicity, let us truly enjoy the Mardi Gras season. Let us all carry the memories of this dignified revelry with us into Lent so that we may use it as a remind of the joy that awaits us on Easter Sunday. Pro Deo et Maria,  + Rutherford Johnson Metropolitan of the Southwest 2008 Investiture of the Royal College of Papal Knights in the Americas On the 21st of December, members of the College gathered to invest 14 new members. The investiture was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church and was attended by the Metropolitan of the Southwest. In attendance were local military and university officials, as well as an honor guard from the police force. The investiture was followed by a reception and dinner. The event permitted members from all over the world to meet and exchange ideas of how they can better live the life and vocation of a papal knight. For more information on this organization, please visit the College's web site.   First Sacred Benediction at St. Jude The Mission Chapel of Saint Jude, in South Korea, held its first Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the third of April, 2009. The Benediction followed a pontifical sung mass for the Feast of our Lady of Seven Sorrows. The readings and sung propers were most moving to the congregation as they joined in spiritually with the suffering of our Lady. The faithful came to honor the Blessed Virgin for what she had to endure, and the special blessing by Jesus Christ Himself in the Sacred Benediction was a fitting addition after the mass. The Chapel now turns its focus to Holy Week and prepares to celebrate all the masses and offices of the Triduum.