March 1, 2026, 12:00 PM
Fast. Pray. Give alms.
Last week I talked a little about fasting. Inspired by Pope Leo’s Lenten words, I urged us to fast from angry words and harsh judgments. Next week I hope to say a few things about almsgiving (AKA works of charity). But, for now, let’s look at prayer.
Especially during Lent, we might have a pretty good idea about how to pray. We try to get to Mass more often… We stop by a church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament... We say our rosary… We make the Stations of the Cross… All good! Don’t stop doing these things. But, beginning this year, we have a new opportunity to grow our prayer lives.
It’s Hallow. It’s an app you download on your phone. It gives you all sorts of ways to pray. Right now there’s a Lenten challenge that focuses on the powerful image of the Father welcoming home the prodigal son. Daily reflections to listen to—only a few minutes each day. You can pray the rosary with Mark Wahlberg, say the Divine Mercy chaplet with Jonathon Roumie. Hallow offers Stations of the Cross, prayers for families and children, and all sorts of music—traditional and modern.
Our linked parishes belong. Check it out. Explore the possibilities. If you’re not quite sure how to use it, ask us! I’ve been using Hallow since its inception and it’s certainly deepened my prayer life. It’s helped me pray when I go for a walk or when I’m folding laundry. I hope it helps you in many, many ways.
Now, if you’ve used Formed, please know that Hallow’s a different sort of product. Formed puts us in front of a screen. We watch a film or a program. That’s a beautiful experience—it engages our eyes and minds. Hallow takes us wherever we are—at the gym, on the sidewalk, in the car. We hear, we listen. Ultimately, we’re called to pray. Two different programs—each feeding our souls in its own way.
Keep praying! Make this a Lent when we truly listen and respond to God’s voice in our hearts.
Fr. McCreary
