Lend with the Saints from the Mary Beggers.

Today, I have a story to tell you about St. Francis Xavier Cabrini.

She was a world traveler, but wherever she went, she knew how to celebrate

the liturgical seasons, like Lent. We're a few weeks into Lent now. Have you noticed anything

different about the mass during Lent? The color of the vestments that the priest wears have changed to purple.

You probably noticed that.

But there are also a couple of important prayers that disappeared at Ash Wednesday.

Can you think of what they are?

That's right.

We don't say the hallelujah during the mass in Lent.

That word will come back and we'll say and sing it a lot

at Easter. But for now, during Lent, it's gone. Can you guess why? Well, Alaluya comes from the Hebrew

word meaning praise God. It's a very joyful word that we use in our liturgies, but during

Lent we replace it with praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, before the gospel. Think of why that might be.

Remember back to yesterday when we spoke about penance. It's because Lent is a penitential season. Some days, we don't feel

very joyful or excited. Jesus knows this, and he wants to be with us in those days as well as our

good days. In Lent, we focus on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. This can help us to remember his closeness to us in times when we're sad or lonely or afraid.

One way we remember this is by saving the Alleluia for Easter time,

when we'll celebrate how Jesus rose from the dead so that we can be with him in heaven one day.

Francis Xavier Cabrini was a saint who knew a lot about both penance and joyful celebrations.

She was an Italian religious sister who traveled all over the world as a missionary.

She founded convents, schools, and orphanages in many countries, including the United States.

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