Through the Cross: Understanding Catholic Practices This Lent

Why Catholics Fast, Pray, and Embrace the Mystery

Lent invites us not just into sacrifice, but into a deeper encounter with Christ through practices that many outside the Catholic Church find puzzling—or even offensive. Whether it’s fasting, confessing to a priest, venerating Mary, or tracing the Stations of the Cross, these expressions often raise the same questions: Is this biblical? Isn’t Jesus enough?

As a returning Catholic—one who has searched through Scripture, studied ancient texts, and encountered God’s real presence in the Church—I’d like to walk with you through some of these practices. Not to win an argument, but to offer clarity, humility, and a deeper love for the God who gave us His Church.

Fasting: A Sacred Yes Through a Holy No

Fasting isn’t about punishing ourselves—it’s about making space. From Moses (Exodus 34:28) to Jesus Himself (Matthew 4:1–2), fasting is woven throughout Scripture. It trains our hearts to rely on God, not comfort. It’s not just giving up food; it’s saying “no” to lesser things so we can say “yes” more fully to God.

Confession: Jesus Still Forgives Through Flesh and Blood

“Why not just confess directly to God?” is a common question. The answer is: we do. But Jesus also gave His apostles the authority to forgive sins in His name (John 20:21–23). Confession isn’t a loophole—it’s a sacrament of healing. We hear the words, we feel the mercy, and we walk away free.

Mary: Not a Goddess, But the Greatest Disciple

Catholics don’t worship Mary. We honor her as the one chosen by God to bear Christ, the new Eve who said yes where the first said no. Just as Elizabeth praised her (Luke 1:42–45), so do we. Just as Jesus listened to her at Cana (John 2), we ask for her prayers, not because she replaces Christ, but because she leads us to Him.

Touching Statues: A Physical Prayer

This is one of the most misunderstood practices. But it’s not worship—it’s remembrance through reverence. Much like the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment (Mark 5:27–29), the act is rooted in faith, not magic. The statue reminds, the gesture expresses longing.

👉 [Read the full blog here: “Touching the Sacred: Why Catholics Reach for Holy Images”]

Relics: God Still Moves Through His Saints

Some scoff at the idea of relics—bones, cloth, or hair of saints being revered. Yet Scripture itself affirms this: Elisha’s bones revived a man (2 Kings 13:21), and people were healed through Paul’s handkerchiefs (Acts 19:11–12). These aren’t magical objects. They are sacred reminders that God’s power has touched real lives.

👉 [Read the full Blog: “Holy Reminders: Understanding Relics of the Saints”]

The Stations of the Cross: Walking with Christ

Praying the Stations is not “reinventing Calvary”—it’s remembering it. We walk with Jesus through His passion, not to wallow in guilt, but to awaken love. This devotion has roots in early Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and each station invites us into His suffering—and our own redemption.

The Eucharist: Not Just a Symbol, but Jesus Himself

“This is my Body… This is my Blood” (Luke 22:19–20). Catholics believe Jesus meant what He said. The early Church called it the Real Presence—not just a reminder, but a miracle. We don’t re-sacrifice Him; we re-enter the once-for-all sacrifice of the Cross, made present through His promise.

A Final Word: Through the Cross, to Resurrection

Lent is not about rituals for ritual’s sake. It’s a journey. And every prayer, every fast, every strange Catholic practice, when rooted in love and truth, brings us closer to the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. These aren’t man-made hoops—they are time-tested bridges to grace.

So if you’ve questioned Catholic practices, you’re not alone. I did too. And the deeper I searched—biblically, historically, and spiritually—the more I discovered not superstition, but salvation echoing through time.

Through the Cross, we see more clearly.

And through the Church, we walk that road—together.