Coraggio Group Learns
Coraggio met on Feb. 13 at Holy Trinity Parish in Evansville. After beginning the evening with a Holy Hour featuring Vespers and the rosary, the group listened to a presentation on Lent from Father Crispine Adongo, associate pastor of Holy Rosary and Nativity Parishes.
“I relate myself so much with Lent,” said Father Adongo, a Glenmary priest and native of Kenya, adding that his experiences growing up in Kenya gave him a unique perspective on the suffering that Catholics embrace during Lent. “I’ve seen it all.”
For Father Adongo, the heart of Lent lies in Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-18:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you…. When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
Father Adongo told the group that Lent should be a time to reflect on the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, which are meant to carry the faithful through life. He said a good way to focus on these things is through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, but that Catholics do not have to look miserable and pathetic during Lent. “These are the three pillars of Lent,” he said. He also explained that although the Church promotes these practices, it must come from a desire to restore a relationship with God, pointing to Joel 2:12-18:
“Yet even now—oracle of the LORD—return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting in punishment. Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind a blessing, Grain offering and libation for the LORD, your God. Blow the horn in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly! Gather the people, sanctify the congregation; Assemble the elderly; gather the children, even infants nursing at the breast; Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her bridal tent. Between the porch and the altar let the priests weep, let the ministers of the LORD weep and say:
“Spare your people, LORD! do not let your heritage become a disgrace, a byword among the nations! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Then the LORD grew jealous for his land and took pity on his people.”
From Ash Wednesday until Easter, Catholics are called to practice some form of fasting. Father Adongo believes that by putting luxuries aside during Lent, we have more time for prayer both individually and in groups. “The social components help us,” he noted, further explaining that fasting can lead to almsgiving, suggesting that people take money they would have spent on meat and give it to the poor, since those of us who have been blessed materially should reach out to the less fortunate and share our blessings. “If it is a sacrifice, make it a real sacrifice.”
Coraggio meets the second Friday of each month at Holy Trinity Parish. It is open to all Catholics in the Evansville area ages 18-35. The next meeting is on March 13. For more information, email coraggioevansville@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/coraggioevansville.
