Cardinal Dolan

He’s got a lot of titles, and St. Joseph is the patron saint of many beautiful things. One that surprises people – that is a Catholic custom well worth recovering – is that he’s the patron saint of a happy death. @thegnewsroom

Can you remember the six Precepts of the Church? They’re not as important as the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes, but they are what you might call “household matters” for us in the Catholic family. @thegnewsroom

It’s important for the Irish, for New York, and for the Church universal. We remember first and foremost that Patrick is a saint, evangelist, apostle, and missionary. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! @thegnewsroom

If we mention somebody who is sick or in trouble, we say, “May God be good to them.” It’s a beautiful Catholic devotion well worth recovering! @thegnewsroom

When we mention or think of someone who has gone to the Lord, it’s very beautiful simply to say, “may the Lord have mercy on them!” It’s a Catholic custom well worth recovering. @thegnewsroom

Have you ever heard of a Spiritual Communion? There are times when we long to receive our Lord worthily in Holy Communion, but can't. So, the Church developed this beautiful idea of a Spiritual Communion! @thegnewsroom

There are two excellent organizations in the Church for which I have very high esteem: the Legion of Mary and the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Catholic practices well worth recovering! @thegnewsroom

You’re not alone, you know! God has appointed an angel to protect each one of us. Beautiful prayer we learned as kids: Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. @thegnewsroom

“My Lord and my God!” Remember that prayer of St. Thomas? I mention it because it used to be Catholic devotion to whisper it as the priest would hold up the Host and then the Precious Blood after the Consecration. @thegnewsroom

Do you know what a relic is? A piece of bone, object, or clothing from one of the saints. You and I know that we belong to a family that is not bound by space or time, the communion of saints. One of the ways we can get close to them is by devotion to relics. @thegnewsroom

Lectio Divina is a Latin term meaning “divine readings,” which means prayerfully reading from the Bible! Every day we should do a little Bible reading. @thegnewsroom

Just to read the lives of the saints as an act of religious enrichment I think is magnificent! It’s a great way to grow closer to Jesus and the communion of saints. @thegnewsroom

I see a lot of people with medals – that’s good! Scapulars and medals are so practical and used to be very popular. It’s a beautiful custom to remind us that we’re clothed with Jesus. @thegnewsroom

By the law of the Church, Confession is only obligatory once a year, if we’re in serious sin. But Confession is so refreshing and conducive to spiritual growth that we should try to go more often! At least during Lent and Advent, if not every month. @thegnewsroom

I can remember as a boy, every morning we’d have the “mite box,” and everybody would at least put a penny in to support the missions. They depend on us! To be good to the missions is a beautiful Catholic custom well worth recovering. @thegnewsroom

Every parish has got a poor box! It used to be a pretty muscular Catholic custom that we wouldn’t go into a church without putting a little bit into the poor box. To help the poor with our alms is one of the priorities of the teachings of Jesus. @thegnewsroom

None of us are worthy of heaven, but we also know that the mercy of Jesus on the Cross is so infinite and eternal that it even extends after we leave this earthly life. To pray for those souls awaiting the Lord's final mercy in purgatory is a beautiful act of Catholic devotion well worth recovering! @thegnewsroom

Yesterday I spoke about the daily devotions – the months have them as well! Each of the twelve months have a special patron. Do me a favor and remember these. @thegnewsroom

Have I ever talked to you about the special devotions for every day of the week? It’s a Catholic custom well worth recovering! @thegnewsroom

It’s very pertinent and beautiful during Lent: the fourteen Stations of the Cross! You walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. Something tells me your parish probably has them. @thegnewsroom