From the Bishop’s Desk

Lenten Messages

The Gospel reading from the first Sunday of Lent tells us that "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." Before beginning his public ministry as an adult, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert to prepare for his battle with Satan.

How did he prepare? He prepared through prayer and fasting. United to the Father and Holy Spirit, he faced Satan as a communion of persons.

The Catechism describes Satan as "a fallen angel who sinned against God." Pope Francis reminds us that Satan is real and seeks to disrupt our lives. Through our baptism, we become intimately united with the Holy Trinity, a bond that is renewed in the Sacrament of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, giving us the strength to resist the daily temptations of Satan.

Lent is a time to make a special effort to unite ourselves with Christ through prayer and fasting. Let us not give Satan a chance this Lent; let us unite with Christ and become unconquerable!

Listen in Spanish / Escucha en Español

PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm blesses the Headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville early at 6 a.m. on the morning of June 25, 2025. Also pictured are (back) Deacon Paul Treinen and Fr. Shawn Polman from the Spirit of Life Area Faith Community (Ortonville, Rosen, and Madison), and Diocese of New Ulm seminarian Matthew Colllins of Murdock, Minn., one of the seven Pilgrimage of Hope pilgrims.

Reflections on Bishop Zielinski’s one year anniversary in the Diocese of New Ulm