We begin with the sign of the cross, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Examine your conscience. (Take a few minutes. In silence, remember and feel sorry for your sins, and think of ways you will amend your life.)

Pray the Act of Contrition.

3 Jesus told them, many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty… 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Mt 13:3-10, 18-23).

Today is the last day of this Lenten Retreat. Many spiritual seeds have been sowed during this retreat, which has the potential to yield a great harvest. You are the soil; the condition of your soul will affect the harvest. A seed does not grow by itself, it needs good soil, it needs watering, it needs nutrients, and once it sprouts and grows into a tree, it needs regular pruning. People usually feel spiritually renewed after a retreat. However, after a while, they feel spiritually slack or begin to backslide, because, like the soil, our soul needs to be continuously revived. We must persevere in our faith by continuing with the good work that we have started during this retreat. During Lent, we sanctify ourselves. Now, we must continue to be holy.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

To receive abundance of graces during this retreat, you can choose to do any of the following daily:

Attend the Holy Mass daily.

Pray the Rosary.

Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

Pray and meditate on the Way of the Cross.

Pray at least 15 minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Read the bible and mediate on scripture for at least 15 minutes.

Pray the Litany of Humility.

Invite others to join this retreat, as a family or as a group.

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