When I was growing up, part of my regular routine was to go to Confession on Saturday once a month. As I got older and entered the seminary, we were told to change the name to the Sacrament of Reconciliation — to emphasize the reunion that takes place between God and us.

Today, I still try to keep up the routine of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation once per month. I mentioned in this column that due to the generous invitation of the Dominican priests at St. Louis Bertrand, Shrove Tuesday became an opportunity for the priests of the Archdiocese to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I happily took advantage of this invitation. 

This week, we continue our Lenten focus on cultivating virtues rather than on simply “giving up things” by considering the third cardinal virtue — fortitude.

The virtue of fortitude enables a person to endure the hardships of life and to remain steadfast in the pursuit of what is good. Fortitude strengthens our resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in living a moral life. 

There’s a growing outcry against gigantic institutions and overly grandiose ideas gone awry.

For example, some attribute the difficulties that Toyota is experiencing to preferring expansion over quality control.

President Barack Obama is forever being criticized for his lofty agendas.

Big banks are faulted for placing enormous profits over the protection of customers.