This past Saturday, the men of Cor at St. Clement of Rome gathered for a powerful morning of prayer, reflection, and fraternity as we prepared for the coming season of Lent. What unfolded was more than a meeting — it was a reminder that men do not grow in faith by accident, and that none of us are meant to walk the road of discipleship alone.
Beginning with Mercy
We opened the morning with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, grounding our time together in trust and humility before God. Reflecting on the words “Jesus, I trust in You,” the group was reminded that Lent is not about proving our strength, but about placing our weakness honestly before the Lord and allowing His mercy to transform us.
Before praying the Chaplet, the devotion was briefly introduced: its origins through St. Faustina, its focus on Christ’s Passion, and why the Church places such emphasis on Divine Mercy — especially in an age marked by anxiety, guilt, and spiritual fatigue. For many men, this was their first real encounter with the Chaplet, and its simplicity and depth immediately resonated.
This was not accidental — it was intentional.
Drawing from the Church’s Treasury of Prayer
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy marked the first in what will become a continuing Cor rhythm: beginning each meeting with a different prayer or devotion drawn from the rich treasury of the Catholic Church.
Going forward, Cor will regularly introduce men to a variety of prayers — ancient and modern — by:
- Introducing the prayer
- Explaining its history and origin
- Why it matters
- How it forms men spiritually
- And how it can be lived in daily life
The goal is not to overwhelm, but to equip — helping men discover prayers they can actually pray, return to, and build into a sustainable rule of life. The Church gives us far more than we often realize; Cor is a place to rediscover that inheritance and put it to work. Download the handout on Divine Mercy here. Download the background and history of the chaplet here. Download other prayers/devotions we can explore here.
Lent as Adult Men: Going Deeper Than the Surface
Father Vito then led the group in a reflection on the three pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving — emphasizing that these are not boxes to check, but a unified path of conversion meant to shape the whole man.
As boys, many of us learned Lent by giving up candy or television. As men, Lent asks more.
Drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas, the group examined four areas that frequently compete with God for our attention and loyalty:
- Pleasure
- Profit (wealth)
- Power
- Pride
These things are not evil in themselves, but when pursued apart from God, they quietly become idols. Lent gives us the space — and the courage — to confront these attachments honestly and to allow Christ to reorder our lives.
Faith Lived in Real Life
The discussion was practical, grounded, and refreshingly honest. Men shared stories of childhood faith, adult struggles, and the challenge of living Catholic convictions in today’s culture — at work, in marriage, and as fathers and grandfathers.
Small-group conversations created space for real brotherhood: men speaking openly about stress, anger, habits, responsibility, and the desire to be better — not abstractly, but concretely, for the sake of their families and their souls.
Choosing the Road Ahead — Together
The final portion of the morning focused on discernment, drawing from anonymous feedback from the men of Cor themselves. Several themes emerged clearly:
- A desire for deeper, more consistent prayer
- Scripture that speaks into daily life
- Support in marriage, fatherhood, and leadership
- Confidence in living and explaining the faith
- Help navigating work, stress, and modern pressures
Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all program, Cor continues to grow through shared ownership and discernment — choosing formation that helps men become men of prayer, faithful husbands and fathers, and courageous Catholic witnesses.
Based on the Church calendar, the consensus was to focus on a Lent program for the next couple of meetings. The full content guides are here and here.
An Invitation to Catholic Men
Cor is not a class. It is not a lecture. It is not therapy.
Cor is a place where Catholic men gather to pray, to learn, to be challenged, and to support one another in living the faith seriously — without pressure and without pretense.
If you are a man of the parish who:
- Wants more from his faith
- Feels the weight of responsibility and leadership
- Knows he cannot — and should not — do this alone
You belong at Cor.
Come as you are.
Pray with us.
Walk the road together.
Stay informed, Opt-In Communications – here
More Info, Main Cor Info Page – here
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