Lenten fasting is a practice of preparation for Easter that should be accompanied by prayer and almsgiving, as Pope Francis wrote in the 2019 Lenten Message.

What does Lent mean? It is the period of purification, abstinence, and fasting that every Christian must observe during the forty days leading up to Easter. It symbolically coincides with the 40 days that Jesus, after being baptised by John the Baptist, spent in the desert to prepare for his public ministry through prayer, purification, and fasting. It also coincides with the end of Carnival, from the Latin “carnem levare”, “to deprive oneself of meat”. Lent represents a very particular and important moment for every Christian. The soul prepares to welcome the Paschal mystery, and for this reason, it is necessary for it to be purified from thoughts and distractions. Prayer and meditation are increased, small Lenten sacrifices are offered, giving up something particularly dear, and charity work is undertaken. The body also needs to be prepared for this unique and solemn feast. Hence, Lenten fasting is proposed to us, with a few simple rules of abstinence and moderation that, on the one hand, allow us to purify the body, and on the other, help us exercise control over ourselves, learn to be less attached to our comforts, and become less selfish.

Fasting, however, is not a practice that belongs solely to the Lenten period. Christians fast on certain days of the year, particularly in conjunction with solemn holidays. It should be part of the faithful’s life, just like prayer, almsgiving, and works of charity. It has always been this way, even in the Old Testament, and was widespread among the Jewish people long before the birth of Jesus, as was the obligation of absolute rest. When Moses had to prepare to receive the Ten Commandments, he fasted for forty days in the desert to present himself to God in purity. The Jews also practiced the “great fast” on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

Returning to Lenten fasting, for Christians, not only Catholics, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten period.

The practice of fasting is not shared by Protestants, except for Anglicans, because mandatory fasting during certain periods is seen as an outward and useless practice. Each believer asserts the right and duty to fast when they deem it appropriate, and not in conjunction with specific occasions. In the Orthodox Church, fasting is regularly practiced twice a week, on Wednesday and Friday, and more strictly in conjunction with particular feasts. During Orthodox Lent, the fasting is particularly strict.

Who is required to fast during Lent?

According to the Code of Canon Law, all practicing Christians are required to observe fasting and abstinence from meat at least twice a year: on Ash Wednesday (which, for the Ambrosian rite, becomes the first Friday of Lent) and Good Friday. More generally, one should avoid eating meat on “fasting days”, that is, on Fridays and other prohibited days, as indicated in the apostolic constitution “Paenitemini” by Pope Paul VI in 1966. These precepts should generally be observed on Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent, to prepare for Easter in the best and most Christian way.

According to Canon 1252 of the Code of Canon Law, the age for starting the obligation of fasting is set at 18, while the end is at 60. Those who suffer from particular illnesses or have a just cause, usually related to health reasons, can be exempted and substitute fasting with works of charity. The obligation of abstinence from meat applies, however, from the age of 14.

During Lent, in addition to fasting, Italian bishops encourage the faithful to practice other forms of abstinence or at least moderation, as forms of penance and purification: abstaining from smoking, alcohol, excessive use of mobile phones, and so on. These are always privations that can be included in the small sacrifices for Lent.

Anyone wishing to receive Communion is required to abstain from any food or drink for at least one hour beforehand, as stated in Canon 919 of the Code of Canon Law.

Buy Now:

Altar wine, hosts, incenses, liquid wax

Altar wine, hosts, incenses, liquid wax; this category is entirely dedicated to the consumables used during Easter and Lent celebrations.

How to fast during Lent

First of all, we must distinguish between fasting and abstinence: fasting concerns the quantity of food, while abstinence refers to what can be eaten.

Lenten fasting allows only one full meal throughout the day. Small amounts of food are allowed in the morning and evening, along with necessary water and medicine for health. Lenten fasting allows the consumption of all types of vegetarian food, such as vegetables, cereals, and legumes, but also fish, eggs, and dairy products in moderate quantities.

Abstinence occurs on Fridays during Lent and involves excluding meat, although it can be replaced with fish, provided it is simple fish and cooked in an uncomplicated manner.

What is not allowed to be eaten on Fridays during Lent?

As we have seen, the Code of Canon Law, particularly Canon 1251, defines the rules of fasting and abstinence: “Abstinence from meat or other foods shall be observed, according to the provisions of the Bishops’ Conference, on all Fridays of the year, except when they coincide with a solemnity; fasting and abstinence, however, shall be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.”

The rule of abstinence from meat in the strict sense applies to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, especially Good Friday. It is also recommended on Holy Saturday.

On these days, meat of any kind, red or white, is prohibited, as well as non-meat dishes that are very elaborate or fancy, such as shellfish or seafood.

Winged man, ox, lion, and eagle. The symbols of the Evangelists have been part of the history of sacred art and theology for centuries. Here is how they originated and why they were attributed to them.

With the term tetramorph, of Greek origin and indicating an iconographic representation made up of four figures or elements since ancient times, we refer to an image composed of four symbols associated with the four Evangelists: a winged man (Gospel of Matthew), a lion (Gospel of Mark), an ox or calf (Gospel of Luke), and an eagle (Gospel of John). The first to define what would become the symbols of the Evangelists was Irenaeus of Lyon. A bishop, theologian, and Father of the Church, he interpreted the vision described by the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 1:10), which he had during the deportation to Babylon in 593 BC. Ezekiel recounted seeing a great cloud surrounded by radiance, and in the midst of that cloud, four creatures—later identified as cherubim—each with four wings. One figure had the face of a man, one of a lion, one of a calf, and the last of an eagle. These creatures stood at the foot of God’s throne and seemingly helped move it with wheels placed beside them.

Buy Now:

4 evangelists pulpit cover

4 evangelists pulpit cover embroidered on 4 different background colors.

In his work Adversus Haereses, Saint Irenaeus introduced the idea of a tetramorphic or quadriform Gospel. For him, the four winged beings seen by Ezekiel could be identified with the seraphim, which, according to Isaiah (Isaiah 6:3), occupy the highest ranks of the angelic hierarchy. At the same time, they symbolise the four canonical Gospels, the true spiritual pillars of the Church and the entire world. To each Evangelist, Saint Irenaeus assigned a specific symbol, also referring to Revelation (Revelation 4:6–8), where the “four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind,” are described as being at the foot of God’s throne: “the first living creature was like a lion, the second like an ox, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.”

Each of the four Gospels focuses on a specific aspect of Christ’s figure:

– Gospel of Matthew (man or angel): His Incarnation

– Gospel of Mark (lion): His victorious power (the Resurrection)

– Gospel of Luke (ox or calf): His sacrifice (the Passion)

– Gospel of John (eagle): The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)

According to Irenaeus, even from the prologue of each Gospel, one can derive the symbol of each Evangelist, the core of the fourfold evangelical message, and the particular aspect of Christ highlighted in the text.

Saint Jerome also embraced the symbolism identified by Irenaeus, applying it not only to four aspects of Jesus’ figure but also to four phases of His mortal life. According to Jerome, Christ:

– was born as a man (Incarnation, winged man, Gospel of Matthew);

– died as a sacrificial calf (Passion, ox or calf, Gospel of Luke);

– rose from death with the strength of a lion (Resurrection, lion, Gospel of Mark);

– ascended to Heaven like an eagle (Ascension, eagle, Gospel of John).

Over the centuries, other scholars and men of faith have examined the Evangelists and their symbols, defining various sequences and combinations. The tetramorph, an iconographic depiction of four elements already present in Middle Eastern symbology (consider the protective spirits guarding the royal palaces of Babylon), has been widely used in Christian iconography and sacred art.

Buy Now:

Saint Luke icon, oval

Saint Luke icon, oval.

Not only that, but the symbols of the four Evangelists also determine the order in which the Gospels are arranged in both ancient manuscripts and modern editions of the Bible, following the sequence codified by Ezekiel: man (Matthew), lion (Mark), ox (Luke), eagle (John).

Saint Matthew the Evangelist

The Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus, a list of men, followed by the account of Jesus’ birth and childhood. According to some biblical scholars, it may have been the first Gospel to be written and served as a source for the Gospels of Mark and Luke, while others suggest it borrowed heavily from the Gospel of Mark.

What is certain is that the Evangelist Matthew devoted considerable attention to Jesus as a man, starting with His genealogy and highlighting His human story. For this reason, he has been associated with the tetramorph figure of the man or angel, where the angel symbolises the union between the human aspect and the divine nature.

Buy Now:

Saint Matthew painted wood statue, Val Gardena

This St Matthew carved statue is made by an Italian company…

Saint Mark the Evangelist

The Gospel of Mark, on the other hand, begins with John the Baptist, who took on the mission of preparing the way for the Messiah. Dressed in animal skins and deeply devoted to his role, John the Baptist can easily be imagined as a lion, with a voice as powerful as a roar, announcing that the Time was near. In the Middle Ages, the lion symbolised justice. Its majestic head indicated divine nature, while its body and paws represented human nature.

The Evangelist Mark does not mention Jesus’ childhood but focuses significantly on His Passion, inspiring many works of art depicting this episode.

Buy Now:

Saint Mark the Evangelist 30 cm resin statue

Richly detailed statue in resin, hand-painted.

Saint Luke the Evangelist

The Gospel of Luke opens with a sacrifice: Zechariah, the husband of Elizabeth, a relative of the Virgin Mary, offers an ox to God. Then he has a vision in which he is told that his wife will bear a child, who must be named John. That child would become the Baptist.

From the beginning, we see how the Evangelist Luke focuses on the theme of sacrifice—not only that of Christ but also that of Mary, whose story Luke examines in detail.

Saint John the Evangelist

From the Gospel of John, we understand that this Evangelist was likely the favourite among the apostles who followed Jesus. Deeply mystical, his Gospel is infused with spirituality and is less concerned with human events than with their deeper, religious significance.

In the prologue to his Gospel, John reflects on the concept of the Word, the Word of God, capable of dispelling darkness. It was believed that the eagle could stare at the sun without being blinded, and for this reason, Saint John, who sought to gaze deeply into God, was attributed this symbol.

Chocolates, flowers, cards, but also love letters from God. Here are the Valentine’s Day traditions in Italy and around the world.

There are many Valentine’s Day traditions, in Italy and across the globe. Every year on the 14th of February, we all feel a little more in love, and we dedicate a thought to this Catholic saint, who, both during his life and after his tragic death, became the protector of lovers. In fact, not everyone knows that before becoming the patron saint of lovers, Saint Valentine was a Roman bishop, martyred during the persecution led by Emperor Aurelian on the 14th of February, 273 AD. It is the day of his death that we commemorate by celebrating the feast of lovers.

There’s more to it. Before the Church dedicated the 14th of February to Saint Valentine, the Lupercalia took place during this time of year. These were rituals originally aimed at keeping wolves away from the fields, encouraging crops, and generally celebrating fertility in all its forms and manifestations. In addition to animal sacrifices, whose blood was spread by priests on fields and along roads, these ceremonies, which culminated on the 15th of February, also involved celebrations so wild and licentious that even the Roman emperors suspended them on multiple occasions.

Buy Now:

St. Valentine’s Day

In this department you will find a wide selection of articles and gift ideas.

So, who was Saint Valentine?

Saint Valentine of Terni, also known as Saint Valentine from Terni or Saint Valentine of Interamna, belonged to a patrician family. He became the bishop of Terni at a very young age and dedicated his long life to protecting and aiding persecuted Christians, providing help and assistance to the needy through constant acts of charity and mercy. He was pardoned by Emperor Claudius II, perhaps due to his origins or because he was deeply loved by everyone, but later fell victim to Emperor Aurelian, who had him imprisoned and beheaded. His remains, buried at night by his followers, still rest in Terni today, in the basilica built where his tomb once stood.

According to legend, even during his lifetime, Saint Valentine stood out as a protector of lovers and a supporter of happy unions, even those opposed by others. He officiated the marriage between the pagan legionary Sabinus and the young Christian Serapia, celebrating the first union between people of different religious faiths. It is said that on the 14th of February, young lovers would make pilgrimages to him to seek his blessing, and he also helped young women without dowries to find husbands.

Another legend tells that Valentine himself fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. From this love story supposedly comes the tradition of “Valentines,” the greeting cards exchanged by lovers during this celebration. Saint Valentine is said to have been the first to write a long love letter to his beloved, signing it, “From your Valentine.”

The legends are so numerous and varied that some scholars believe that Saint Valentine was not just one saint but three different men who, over time, merged into a single figure in popular and religious tradition.

Regardless, today Saint Valentine the martyr is known worldwide as the Saint of Love. Pope Gelasius I established the feast on the 14th of February, partly to commemorate the martyrdom of the Saint and partly to erase the disreputable reputation of the Lupercalia, transforming them from occasions of debauchery into a celebration of love.

Buy Now:

Coloured wooden statue of Saint Valentine with rooster Valgardena

Statue in maple wood, hand painted by the artisans of Val Gardena.

Valentine’s Day in Terni

Terni remains deeply devoted to its patron saint, to whom it dedicates numerous festivities each year. Beyond the traditions tied to love and lovers, Valentine’s Day in Terni is also an opportunity for religious reflection and prayer, such as the Novena in preparation for the feast and the “Festa della Promessa” (Promise Day), during which engaged couples intending to marry within the year exchange vows of love in front of the urn containing the Saint’s relics in the basilica of Terni, in the presence of the bishop.

In addition to religious celebrations, there are market stalls, theatrical and musical performances, and gastronomic events where love takes centre stage.

Buy Now:

St. Valentine’s Day

In this department you will find a wide selection of articles and gift ideas to celebrate this special day with your loved one.

Valentine’s Day in the rest of Italy

As for Valentine’s Day traditions in other Italian towns, in Pozzoleone, Veneto, a fair dating back to the 1500s is held on the Sunday before and after the 14th of February. In Bussolengo, the town’s main festival, dedicated to agriculture and farming machinery, takes place during this period and is named after the Saint, featuring a large amusement park, food and wine events, and performances.

In Quero, in the province of Belluno, there is the curious tradition of rolling oranges down the banks of the Tegorzo stream. The oranges are distributed to the faithful during Mass and then thrown down the slopes of the woods.

In San Valentino Torio, in the province of Salerno, there is the sagra of the “purpetta ‘e pastenaca” (carrot meatball), featuring sacred rites, theatrical performances, light shows, and local gastronomy.

In Zoppola (Pordenone), the faithful receive a candle to light during thunderstorms to ward off rain and hail.

Buy Now:

Scented heart shape candle, 65x110mm

High quality scented candle, entirely made by skilled Italian craftsmen.

Valentine’s Day around the world

All over the world, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with flowers, cards, and chocolates. In each country, the celebration dedicated to the Saint of Love has generated different traditions linked to the history and culture of the place.

In America, Valentine’s Day is not only a celebration for lovers but for all people who care for each other, including friends and family. In Finland, they celebrate Friend’s Day, which involves everyone.

In South Korea and Japan, it is women who give gifts to boyfriends and husbands, while on the 14th of March, the roles are reversed.

For the past eight years, the Archdiocese of Vienna has organised the initiative “Love Letters from God.” Thousands of letters are distributed by Saint Valentine’s messengers in public and frequented places such as metro stations and hospitals to remind people that God’s love is always with them, especially on this day. There are also “Meeting Places with God” in many Viennese churches, where people can talk, receive blessings, and write a response letter to God.

The proverbs about Candlemas belong to the folkloric heritage of our country, but they also draw from the very origins of this feast, blending religion and paganism.

Everyone is familiar with the proverbs about Candlemas. Less known, perhaps, is the origin of this feast, which falls on 2 February, forty days after Christmas, and celebrates the purification of Mary after childbirth and, above all, the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-39), as prescribed by Jewish Law for all firstborn males.

Like many other religious feasts, Candlemas was adapted from a preceding pagan celebration, the Lupercalia. It was Pope Gelasius I around the year 474 AD who decreed the abolition of the Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated in mid-February, which involved the use of torches, candles, and purification rites.

Light plays a very important role in Candlemas, which takes its name from the candles blessed on this occasion. The candles and their light symbolise Jesus Christ, who, during his visit to the Temple, was described by the old Simeon as a “light to enlighten the Gentiles” (Luke 2:32).

Another religious tradition at the origins of Candlemas is the ancient daily rite of the Lucernarium, which, in the early Church, involved lighting a lamp at sunset during evening prayers. The lamp’s light challenged the encroaching darkness and symbolised Christ, who had conquered sin and death.

Light was also the protagonist of ancient pagan festivals that celebrated the end of winter, the return of light and warmth after the cold and darkness of winter, and the hope of spring, still distant but assuredly on its way. For the Celts, this celebration was known as Imbolc or Imbolic and Oimelc, falling on 1 February, the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

This variety of inspirations at the origins of the feast helps us understand why proverbs about Candlemas are so numerous. The blend of religion and paganism, sacred and profane, and the strong influence of popular tradition—especially from the farming world, so closely tied to the rhythm of the seasons—has given rise to a fascinating array of sayings, differing from region to region.

Buy Now:

Candles, large candles

Candles, large candles, Paschal candles and altar candles.

The Childhood of Jesus

The canonical Gospels provide only limited information about the childhood of Jesus, those so-called “hidden years” between His miraculous birth and the beginning of His preaching in Palestine.

Following the Birth in Bethlehem, mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, comes the Epiphany, the visit of the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1), accompanied by the tragic event of the Massacre of the Innocents, ordered by King Herod to eliminate the young Jesus. The Holy Family had to set out again, fleeing to Egypt.

After this harrowing journey, the trail of the Holy Family and Jesus grows faint. From the evangelist Luke, we know that they returned to Nazareth and that “the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him” (Luke 2:39-40).

Apart from the already mentioned Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, another episode from His childhood recorded in Luke’s Gospel is the account of Jesus being lost and found at the Temple (Luke 2:42-43) during His bar mitzvah. According to Jewish tradition, when a boy turned twelve, he entered adulthood and was taken to the Temple by his parents.

Candlemas Day

Thus, we see how Candlemas Day, 2 February, coincides with the feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple and generally celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, marking the symbolic end of the Christmas season and the beginning of the Lenten journey.

Although, after the Second Vatican Council, the celebration became primarily associated with the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, in the Tridentine liturgical calendar—instituted by Pope Pius V following the Council of Trent—the day was also remembered as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to Jewish law, a woman was considered impure for 40 days after the birth of a male child and, after this period, was required to go to the Temple for purification.

Buy Now:

Easter and Lent

Selection of religious products that are mostly used during Easter and Lent celebrations.

A common practice among Christians on this occasion, regardless of denomination, is to take candles to church to have them blessed.

Even in the United States and Canada, 2 February holds special significance, as it is thought to predict the end of winter. However, Americans rely on the predictions of a groundhog! Since 1887, these nations have celebrated Groundhog Day on 2 February. If Punxsutawney Phil, the mascot of Groundhog Day in the town of Punxsutawney, emerges from his winter burrow and cannot see his shadow due to cloudy skies, it means winter will end soon. But if it is sunny and the little animal sees his shadow, winter will continue for another six weeks.

Proverbs about Candlemas

Most of the proverbs about Candlemas concern current and near-future weather conditions. According to popular wisdom, the weather on Candlemas Day, 2 February, determines whether spring will come early or not. It is fascinating how these sayings vary from region to region, sometimes openly contradicting one another.

In Veneto, Lombardy, and Trieste, for example, it is believed that if it is sunny on Candlemas Day, winter is almost over, whereas if it rains or the wind blows, winter will continue for a while: “If it’s sunny on Candlemas, we’re out of winter; if it rains and blows, we’re still in.”

In Sicily, where the feast is known as A Cannilora, they say: “For Candlemas, winter is over, but if it isn’t, there are another forty days to go.” Another Sicilian saying is: “If it doesn’t rain on Candlemas, winter is past.”

In Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, there is a proverb reminiscent of the American Groundhog Day: “If the bear dries straw on Candlemas, winter is coming back.” According to popular tradition, the lunar bear emerges from its den on the night of 1 February and observes the moon’s position to predict the arrival of spring. For this reason, in some areas, Candlemas is also known as Bear Day.

Another Candlemas-related saying linked to animals is heard in Calitri (in the province of Avellino): “On Candlemas Day, it’s better to see a wolf than the sun,” meaning that if the sun shines on Candlemas, winter will last much longer, so it’s better to encounter a wolf!

Other proverbs about Candlemas are tied to traditional rural activities. For instance, “If Candlemas brings good weather, the wine will be strong and plentiful” means that if the weather is fine on this day, the wine will have a robust alcohol content and be of higher quality.

Another saying, “For Candlemas, both old and young hens lay eggs,” recalls memories of a simple life in close contact with nature and animals.

Saint Francis de Sales made love for God and gentleness in expressing one’s faith the most powerful weapon of his preaching. The patron saint of journalists and Catholic writers, he is a Saint and Doctor of the Church.

On 24 January, the liturgical commemoration of Francis de Sales is observed. He was a French bishop who lived between the 16th and 17th centuries, a Doctor of the Church and a Catholic Saint. Although the anniversary of his death is 28 December, its proximity to Christmas led to the preference of marking his memory on the date of the translation of his relics from Lyon, where the saint passed away on 11 December 1622, to Annecy. His heart is still preserved in Treviso, at the Monastery of the Visitation.

François de Sales, Italianised as Francesco di Sales, was of noble origin. Destined by his father for a legal career, he was sent to the University of Padua. However, after obtaining his degree, he decided to take holy orders and dedicate his brilliant mind and life to God and humanity. It was his skill as a preacher that led to his canonisation in 1665, just a few decades after his death.

As Bishop of Geneva, a preacher, and the founder of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, alongside Baroness Jeanne-Françoise Frémyot de Chantal, Francis de Sales consistently demonstrated great dedication, simplicity, and a gentleness that won him the favour of all.

That same gentleness and love are reflected in his literary works, prayers, and the rules he set for the nuns wishing to join his Order. These women were not required to subject themselves to excessive physical austerity but to practise asceticism of the heart with humility, gentleness, and patience, alongside prayer and contemplation. The sisters’ mission was not only to turn to God but also, and especially, to humanity, through acts of charity and mercy.

Since 1923, he has also been the patron saint of journalists and Catholic writers, by decree of Pope Pius XI. This designation stems from Francis de Sales’ mission in the Chablais region, where he fought against Calvinism not with violence or polemics, but through his mastery of preaching and dialogue. To reach as many people as possible in his campaign of evangelisation, he devised the use of pamphlets—articles written in a concise and accessible style, which he ensured were displayed in public places to reach the widest audience. This innovation earned him recognition as the patron saint of journalists and Catholic writers.

Buy Now:

Rosary beads and rosary cases

Rosary beads and rosary cases: here you will find a wide selection of rosary beads.

Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

We have previously discussed the life of Francis de Sales, highlighting his greatness as a man before his role as a master of spirituality. His literary and theological contributions to Christian history are also significant, with doctrinal works such as “Introduction to the Devout Life” (“Philothea“), to name just one of the most important. While his canonisation was supported by the usual requirement of two miracles, it was his doctrine and talents as a preacher that secured his election as a Doctor of the Church. It is worth remembering that, besides upright conduct and a virtuous life, the essential criteria for being declared a Doctor of the Church are:

– Eminent doctrine

– Holiness of life

– Election by the Supreme Pontiff or a General Council.

Buy Now:

Confraternity Medal, Saint Francis de Sales

Confraternity Medal, Saint Francis de Sales (measuring 14x12cm).

Philothea, the Work of Saint Francis de Sales

We mentioned “Philothea” or “Introduction to the Devout Life“, an ascetical work written by Francis de Sales in 1609. The name “Philothea” is of Greek origin and means “Friend of God.” This exceptional book is a comprehensive and complete manual for those seeking to lead a Christian life, as it examines every aspect of life in light of God’s Word, offering numerous practical tips and guidelines for the behaviour a Christian should adopt in every circumstance.

Another significant work was “Theotimus” or “Treatise on the Love of God” (1616), in which the Saint defined true religious devotion not as an external display of rules and mechanical devotional practices but as a process of self-improvement, nurtured by love for God and the constant practice of the theological virtues.

Charity, love for God, and love in God are recurring themes in the works of Saint Francis de Sales. He wrote during an era of religious wars when polemics, violence, and oppression were often used to compel those of different faiths to return to Catholicism. The gentleness and grace with which Francis expressed his beliefs won the conversion of many Protestants.

Prayer to Saint Francis de Sales

The gentleness of Saint Francis de Sales is also evident in the prayers he wrote for families and in the numerous prayers dedicated to him by his devotees.

This prayer, addressed to the Virgin Mary, is particularly representative. The Saint describes her as a loving and powerful Mother, ready to listen to the pleas of her children, even the least deserving, out of love:

Remember and recall, O sweetest Virgin, 

that You are my Mother and that I am Your child; 

that You are powerful 

and I am poor, timid, and weak. 

I beg You, sweetest Mother, 

to guide me in all my paths, 

in all my actions. 

Do not tell me, wonderful Mother, that You cannot help me, 

for Your most beloved Son 

has given You all power, both in heaven and on earth. 

Do not tell me that You are not bound to help me, 

for You are the Mother of all mankind, 

and especially my Mother. 

If You could not listen, 

I would excuse You, saying: 

“It is true that She is my Mother and loves me as Her child, 

but She lacks the means to help me.” 

If You were not my Mother, 

I would be patient and say: 

“She has every power to help me, 

but, alas, She is not my Mother 

and therefore does not love me.” 

But no, sweetest Virgin, 

You are my Mother, 

and what is more, You are most powerful. 

How could I excuse You if You did not help me, 

if You did not lend me aid and assistance? 

See well, O Mother, 

that You are bound to listen to 

all my requests. 

For the honour and glory of Your Jesus, 

accept me as Your child, 

without regard for my miseries and sins. 

Free my soul and body 

from all evil, and grant me all Your virtues, 

especially humility. 

Bestow upon me all gifts, blessings, and graces 

that please 

the Most Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Buy Now:

Blessed Mother Medjugorje statue grey robes marble 40 cm OUTDOORS

Statue representing Our Lady of Medjugorje, measuring 42.5×16 cm.

Human nature, fallible and exposed to temptation, cannot be free from venial sins. How to free oneself from them, how to obtain forgiveness, and the differences between venial and mortal sins.

To sin is human. Or rather, it is human to be tempted by sin, induced to it by the allurements of the Evil One. But there is sin and sin. There are “venial sins“, which violate the measure prescribed by moral law and offend God, but which represent secondary transgressions compared to “mortal sins“, those for which one is banished from God’s Grace and sent to hell after death. This does not happen with venial sins, which cause only a temporary separation from Grace and can be cleansed from the soul with a temporary penalty.

But it is not right to underestimate venial sins. First of all, because, just as many drops of water form a sea and countless grains of sand form a desert, so a single venial sin may seem of little importance, but when venial sins begin to accumulate, their number is equivalent to a mortal sin.

Buy Now:

Copper picture The Original Sin Sistine Chapel 45×75 cm

Reproduction in chiseled copper of Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel.

Furthermore, it is true that venial sin, compared to a mortal sin, is lighter, but if we stop and reflect on what sin is, namely an offense to God, an act of disobedience, more or less serious, committed by us, fragile and pathetic beings, against God the Almighty Father, creator of everything, and against Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself for us on the Cross, we realise the enormity of such a fault. Just thinking about this helps us understand how infinitely serious sin is, regardless of its definition, when compared to the One against whom we commit it.

And if it is true that, unlike mortal sin, which kills the soul of the one who commits it, making it empty and dead, venial sin only weakens it, scratches it, it remains true that indulging in venial sins, repeating them without showing signs of repentance, will cause a soul to wear out and lose itself beyond all mercy. This risk is real, if we consider that to err is human, to persist is diabolical, but it is against the devil and his infinite perseverance that we find ourselves fighting every day, so as not to sin.

It is also true that God, in His infinite mercy, gives men the chance to repent and correct their actions. This is taught by Saint Augustine, who in his “Confessions” narrated the story of his own conversion, how he chose to leave behind vice and sin to fully embrace God. This book remains a fundamental text because it shows how it is possible for anyone, at any moment, to decide to change their life, regardless of what we have done or what we were before.

Let us now look at the differences between mortal and venial sins.

What are venial sins?

Venial sins are, therefore, those “minor sins” which do not cause complete separation from God and eternal damnation. Indeed, for some venial sins, it is enough to participate with the right disposition in “Holy Mass“, and they are forgiven during the “Eucharistic celebration“, when sacramental grace and sanctifying grace descend upon the faithful. Even making the Sign of the Cross or consciously reciting the Our Father can be enough to heal the wounds that a venial sin opens in our soul. However, the best way to cleanse oneself of sins is to approach “Confession” and the “Sacrament of Penance” that follows, because only a sacrament allows the grace of the Holy Spirit to descend upon the sinner, healing them and conforming them as a child of God.

What are venial sins?

We can link sins to the “capital vices“, those character flaws or inclinations of the soul that drive men to behave in ways that harm themselves and those around them. It is often these vices that cause sin, which is an effect, a consequence of vice. The opposite of vices are “virtues“. The seven capital vices are called so because they generate other sins, other vices. Defined by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, they are:

1. Pride
2. Greed
3. Lust
4. Anger
5. Gluttony
6. Envy
7. Sloth

Venial and Mortal Sins: The Differences

For the Catholic Church, for a sin to be defined as “mortal“, meaning to lead the one who commits it to lose God’s Grace, it must meet three conditions simultaneously:

1. It must be against one of the laws imposed by the Ten Commandments, that is, it must be a “grave matter“;
2. It must be committed with full awareness or alertness of the mind;
3. It must be committed with deliberate consent of the will.

It is Jesus himself who clarifies for us what the “grave matter” is mentioned in the Ten Commandments. In Mark 10:19, He advises the rich young man: “Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honour your father and mother.” But a sin can be more or less serious depending on other factors, for example, who it is directed against. Doing harm to one’s parents is more serious than doing so to strangers. Then there are the so-called “sins that cry out to heaven”, according to catechism tradition, those sins that cry out for vengeance before God:

1. Willful murder;
2. Impure sin against the order of nature;
3. Oppression of the poor;
4. Defrauding the wages of workers.

Mortal sins break the full friendship with the Lord and place the one who commits them outside of God’s grace.

They can, however, be forgiven exclusively if confessed with a true spirit of repentance and through Baptism or sacramental Absolution (that is, the “Sacrament of Reconciliation“).

The only sin that God does not forgive is “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit“:

“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31)

Venial sins, as we have already seen, can be purged with “Confession” and the subsequent “Penance“. In them, there is no grave matter, or if it exists, one of the other conditions listed for mortal sins is missing, namely awareness and/or consent. However, it is necessary to make a further distinction between “always grave matter” and “generally grave matter”. The first always defines a mortal sin, while the “generally grave matter” may conceal a mild matter and thus define a venial sin.

In summary, we commit a venial sin when:

1. We commit bad actions, but those that have “insignificant matter” (the evil we do does not corrupt the good in its entirety);
2. We commit actions that are lawful, but in a way that is not morally correct;
3. We commit actions that have grave matter, with insufficient awareness of the mind or lack of full consent of the will.

Both mortal and venial sins can be forgiven through the “Sacrament of Reconciliation” or Penance. In the Catechism, we read:

“All the value of Penance consists in “restoring us to the grace of God” by drawing us close to Him in intimate and deep friendship. The purpose and effect of this sacrament is therefore reconciliation with God. Those who receive the Sacrament of Penance with a contrite heart and in a religious disposition achieve peace and serenity of conscience, along with a vivid consolation of the spirit. Indeed, the Sacrament of Reconciliation with God works a “true spiritual resurrection“, restores the dignity and the goods of life as children of God, of which the most precious is the friendship of God.”