40 Days of Spiritual Combat

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TWTW Lenten 2026 bulletin series was inspired by a 2020 homily given by Br Samuel Burke, O.P., Battle Ready. It was created with Gemini 3 using Nano Banana.

40 Days of Spiritual Combat

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Week 2: Ration Control (The Weapon of Fasting)

Theme: Conquering Appetite & Pride

“The devil’s assault consists in appeals to pride, appetite, and greed.”

• Sunday: Feast on the Word. Read the Sunday readings before going to Mass.
• Monday: Digital Fast. Eliminate one app or source of entertainment that wastes your time.
• Tuesday: The Bread of Life. If possible, visit a church for Adoration or simply sit in the quiet of an empty sanctuary.
• Wednesday: Strict Rations. Abstain from a favorite comfort food or drink (coffee, sweets, alcohol) entirely today.
• Thursday: Silence the Ego. Do not voice a complaint today. When tempted to complain, offer a prayer of thanksgiving instead.
• Friday: Physical Fast. Eat simple meals today. Feel the hunger and let it remind you of your dependence on God.
• Saturday: Fast from Noise. Drive or commute in silence. No radio or podcasts.

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Available for Download on March 2, 2026 for Week of March 8

Week 3: The Cavalry (The Weapon of Almsgiving)

Theme: Active Works of Charity

“We might like to think of some cavalry, besides… active works of charity.”

• Sunday: The Collection. Give an offering that actually pinches your budget slightly.
• Monday: Supply Drop. Identify an item in your house you don’t need and donate it to someone who does.
• Tuesday: The Letter Home. Write a physical note or send a thoughtful text to someone who is lonely or suffering.
• Wednesday: Hidden Service. Do a chore or act of kindness for someone else without them knowing you did it.
• Thursday: The Shield of Virtue. Defend someone’s reputation. Refuse to participate in gossip at work or home.
• Friday: Mercy Mission. Forgive someone who has annoyed you. Pray for their well-being.
• Saturday: Generosity of Time. Give someone your undivided attention for 30 minutes. Listen without interrupting.

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Available for Download on March 9, 2026 for Week of March 15

Week 4: Counter-Insurgency (The Weapon of Truth)

Theme: Resisting Fear & Lies

“The enemy of such determination is fear… The sword of truth.”

• Sunday: Re-affirm Faith. Recite the Creed slowly. Meditate on what you actually believe.
• Monday: Confront the Lie. Identify a lie you tell yourself (e.g., “I am not good enough,” “This sin doesn’t matter”). Counter it with a specific Bible verse.
• Tuesday: Honesty Drill. Be radically honest in all conversations today. No white lies or exaggerations.
• Wednesday: Mid-Campaign Review. You are halfway. Do not give in to the “fear of failure.” If you have slipped, get back up immediately.
• Thursday: Study the Tactics. Read a section of the Catechism or a spiritual writing on the virtue you are trying to cultivate.
• Friday: Penance. Perform an act of self-denial (cold shower, waking up early) for the intention of someone you struggle to love.
• Saturday: The Verdict of Acquittal. Go to Confession again if needed, or make a heartfelt Act of Contrition, focusing on God’s mercy.

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Available for Download on March 16, 2026 for Week of March 22

Week 5: The Long March (Perseverance)

Theme: Faithfulness over “Winning”

“We don’t have to worry about being the best warrior, only a faithful one.”

• Sunday: Renewed Resolve. Pray for the grace of final perseverance.
• Monday: Embrace the Routine. When prayer feels dry or boring, do it anyway. This is the discipline of the soldier.
• Tuesday: Humility Check. Accept a criticism without being defensive.
• Wednesday: Offer it Up. When you feel tired or irritated, say silently, “Jesus, I join this small suffering to your Cross.”
• Thursday: Gethsemane Watch. Spend extra time in prayer tonight, remembering Jesus’ agony in the garden.
• Friday: Solidarity. Abstain from meat (if your tradition dictates) or a luxury, offering the sacrifice for the persecuted church.
• Saturday: The Shield of Faith. When you feel discouraged, repeat: “Jesus, I trust in You.”

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Available for Download on March 23, 2026 for Week of March 29

Holy Week: The Final Assault

Theme: Victory through Surrender

“Victory is promised… to anyone who would fight sin, carry their cross, and follow Jesus.”

• Palm Sunday: Read the Passion narrative. Place yourself in the crowd.
• Monday: Clean House. Prepare your home and heart for Easter.
• Tuesday: Forgiveness. Is there anyone left you haven’t forgiven? Release the grudge today.
• Wednesday: The Betrayal. Reflect on the times you have betrayed Jesus for “silver” (comfort, money, approval).
• Holy Thursday: The Last Supper. Attend Mass/Service. Focus on the Eucharist as your sustenance.
• Good Friday: The Victory. Veneration of the Cross. Fast and abstain. Stand at the foot of the Cross in spirit.
• Holy Saturday: The Tomb. Wait in silence and hope.

Theology, Apologetics & Evangelization

These channels focus on explaining and defending the Catholic faith, often engaging with modern culture and other viewpoints.

• Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire): One of the most influential voices in the Church, offering cultural commentary, movie reviews, and deep theological deep-dives.
• Ascension Presents: A powerhouse channel featuring popular figures like Fr. Mike Schmitz (known for the “Bible in a Year” and “Catechism in a Year” podcasts) and Fr. Josh Johnson, offering accessible videos on faith and life.
• Catholic Answers: The premier channel for Catholic apologetics, featuring live Q&A shows where apologists answer tough questions from callers.
• Pints with Aquinas (Matt Fradd): Long-form interviews and discussions on theology, philosophy, and culture, often over a drink.
• The Counsel of Trent (Trent Horn): Trent Horn, a Catholic Answers apologist, provides rebuttals to atheist and Protestant arguments, as well as commentary on current events.
• Jimmy Akin: A senior apologist at Catholic Answers known for his fairness and deep knowledge, covering everything from bizarre questions to deep theology.
• Breaking In The Habit (Fr. Casey Cole, OFM): A young Franciscan friar who offers fresh, accessible reflections on faith, vocations, and everyday life.
• Thomistic Institute: Excellent, high-quality animated videos and lectures explaining the philosophy and theology of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Spiritual Growth, Prayer & Homilies

Channels dedicated to nurturing your prayer life, offering daily reflections, rosaries, and inspiring homilies.

• Fr. Mark Goring, CC: A charismatic priest who posts daily, short, and passionate videos on current events, prophecies, and spiritual encouragement.
• Divine Mercy (Marian Fathers): The official channel of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, promoting the Divine Mercy devotion and message.
• EWTN: The global Catholic network’s channel, featuring daily Mass, the Rosary, news, and a vast library of classic Catholic programming.
• Grace Force (Fr. Richard Heilman): Focuses on spiritual warfare, prayer campaigns like the “54 Day Rosary Novena,” and strengthening the family.
• Sensus Fidelium: A treasure trove of traditional Catholic homilies and talks from various priests, emphasizing classical spirituality.
• Religious Hippie: A young Catholic woman sharing her journey and love for the traditional Latin Mass and pre-Vatican II spirituality.

Lifestyle, Family & Vocations

Resources for living out the faith in daily life, marriage, parenting, and discerning a vocation.

• A Catholic Mom’s Life: Heather Johnson shares practical tips, encouragement, and a glimpse into her life as a Catholic wife and mother.
• Jason & Crystalina Evert: The go-to resource for theology of the body, dating, and living a chaste life.
• The Culture Project: Missionaries who speak to young people about human dignity, sexual integrity, and social media.
• CFRs (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal): The friars share their life of prayer, community, and service to the poor in the Bronx.
• FOCUS Catholic: The Fellowship of Catholic University Students shares talks from their massive SEEK conferences and testimonies from college students.

Education, History & Scripture

Channels that offer deep-dive educational content on the Bible, Church history, and theology.

• St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (Dr. Scott Hahn): In-depth biblical teaching from one of the world’s leading Catholic Scripture scholars.
• Catholic Productions (Dr. Brant Pitre): Excellent, scholarly yet accessible videos on the Jewish roots of Jesus, the Eucharist, and Mary.
• Augustine Institute: Producer of high-quality video series like “Symbolon” and a vast library of Catholic educational content.
• FORMED: Often called the “Catholic Netflix,” their YouTube channel features clips and trailers from their massive library of movies, studies, and audiobooks.
• Institute of Catholic Culture: Offers hundreds of hours of free, in-depth video lectures on theology, history, philosophy, and literature.
• What Every Catholic Should Know: A channel dedicated to teaching the basics of the Catechism and Catholic tradition.
• Catholic History: Documentaries and presentations on key figures and events in Church history.