Welcome to Septuagesima70 !

The Angelus (Millet, 1859)

“Love not the world, nor the things which are in the world. If any man love the world, the charity of the Father is not in him.” - 1st Epistle of St John 2:15

“Therefore at this season let us betake to us, as some addition to the accustomed severity of our holy servitude, special prayers and abstinence from food and drink..” - Rule of Saint Benedict (Chapter XLIX, Concerning the Observance of Lent)

Welcome to Septuagesima70 ! We’re so glad to have you with us as we undertake to rediscover the ancient and venerable ascetical practices of the Church, which are all too needed in our modern era.

Where to Begin

Take the time to read through the Septuagesima70 practices and start thinking about a schedule for yourself - when you can find time for prayer, reading, and meditation while keeping a balanced sleep and exercise schedule.

The first phase of the program is a good time to go through our cupboards, fridge, and pantry to start using up the foods and beverages we will abstain from during the later phases as Lent begins.

What to Do

Essential to the Septuagesima70 program are the daily meditations from Father Hamon, which will be posted to the Blog every day. If you sign up on the website (by clicking "Log In" at the top right of the website header), you can receive an automatically generated email each time a new one is added. Alternatively, these can be viewed from the Calendar, which also provides a helpful view of the phases and special days in the weeks ahead.

The first paragraph of each meditation is read the night before (the section entitled “Summary of the Morrow’s Meditation”) so that the soul may begin to reflect on the divine truths therein. The following morning, the rest of the meditation is read. The summary is then read again, and its spiritual bouquet (or “nosegay”) can be used in the personal prayer and reflection time which follows.

The Martyrology, also posted daily, is traditionally read aloud on the day prior. For example, the Martyrology of the 15th of March is read on the 14th of March. In this way, we know which feast may be celebrated on the morrow.

Some Helpful Hints

If you live with a spouse, family, or roommate(s), it is useful to let them know that you’ll be embarking on a Lenten fast and what that might entail for food, drink, and entertainment. Any difficulties in this regard can be discussed with the chaplain (@FrWithoos on Telegram) or your spiritual director, who can provide alternative penances.

It is prudent to think through in advance how you may respond charitably to co-workers who offer sweets at work or friends who want to watch sports or a movie together. In our day and age with the proliferation of special vegan and keto diets, folks will generally be understanding.

For most of the church’s two millennia history, there was no access to screens and ultra-processed foods, so much of our Septuagesima70 practices reflect how the faithful lived their daily lives in simplicity. Therefore don’t hesitate to ask the Holy Family, your guardian angel, and your patron saints for assistance ! Reading the daily Martyrology also introduces us to numerous heavenly intercessors who will gladly entreat the Lord for our sanctification.

Feel free to ask questions during the colloquies and in the Telegram group - if there’s something you’re wondering about or struggling with, others likely are as well !

May God bless and protect you and your loved ones as you draw closer to Him during this Septuagesima70 journey.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.” - Epistle of St Paul to the Philippians 1:6

- Adam