There was once a young man who, as he spoke with a monk, complained of how little progress he felt himself make in his spiritual life.

"I try to correct all my faults," the young man insisted sincerely, "and yet all of that effort is without success."

The monk said simply "I am not surprised". Pointing to a bundle of sticks on the ground, he said "Take that and break it in half."

Puzzled by such an odd request, the young man attempted to do as he was asked. However, after only one or two useless endeavors, he discovered it to be impossible. He said as much to his companion, who nodded in agreement.

"Truly," said the monk. "but untie it, separate the sticks, and you’ll be able to break them separately." By this, he showed his young friend that this is how one is to defeat one’s faults. If you attack them all at once, you can do nothing with them. And so you must focus and take them on one by one. And this is precisely what Lent is for. Holy Mother Church tells to single out those areas in which we struggle the most and then, by prayer and penance, strive to overcome them. With the loving help of God, Our Blessed Mother, and our Guardian Angel, we will certainly take great advantage of this penitential season, and thereby celebrate a most joyous feast of Easter.