Our Lady of Ashes

In which the Pilgrim seeks out the Lamp-bearer of the Virtues—Prudence—to be his unerring guide and friend along the way. For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1, from the Readings for Friday of the 25th Week of the Year

In which the Pilgrim lights a mini bonfire of vanities and sets his sights toward the New Heaven and Earth. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, "See, this is new"? It has been already, in the ages before us. — Ecc 1:9-10 , from the Mass Readings for Thursday of the 25th Week of the Year

St Francis is espoused to Lady Poverty In which the Pilgrim confesses a bit of a crush on Lady Poverty, considers the via media, and venerates the true poverty of self in the martyrs Cosmas and Damian. They counted all as loss in order to know Christ and to have a share in his sufferings, conforming himself themselves to his death. —Cf. Phil 3:8, 10 , Entrance Antiphon, Mass for a Single Martyr

In which the Pilgrim venerates Mary as mother of Jesus in every sense, dwells on family and faith, and longs to be a true Brother of Christ. Then his mother and his brethren came to him, but they could not reach him for the crowd. And he was told, "Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, desiring to see you." But he said to them, "My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and do it." —Lk 8:19-21, Gospel for Tuesday of the 25th Week of the Year

In which the pilgrim on this, the Feast of Our Lady of Ransom , considers the price paid for his soul, the joy of Mary's intercessory aide, and what it might mean to be a slave of Christ and a son of God. Grant, we pray, almighty God, that your faithful, who rejoice under the patronage of the most holy Virgin Mary, may be freed by her motherly intercession from all evils on earth and merit the attainment of eternal joys in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. —Collect from the Commons of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ordinary Time

What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. — 1 Cor 15:42-44 In which the Pilgrim dwells on the Resurrection at the End of Days in the New Heaven and Earth and the infinite potential of God's promises.