The Liturgical Season of Lent begins exactly one month from today: Ash Wednesday — 6 March.
Now is a good time to begin thinking about different spiritual disciplines you will take up during Lent in order to embrace this season the Church sets before us to aide us in following the Lord – a season marked by increased prayer, fasting (to practice self-control in areas beyond abstaining from meat on Fridays), and almsgiving. These pillars of Lent serve to increase our devotion and faithfulness to Jesus Christ and our sharing in His mission by stimulating within us a renewal of the life given us in Baptism. In this way, the Christian faithful walk a time of baptismal renewal and journey alongside those men and women in parish R.C.I.A.’s across the world who will be preparing to be baptized at the Easter Vigil into the Christian life in the Church.
Below are some resources you might consider to aide the renewal of your life in Jesus Christ this Lent. Be sure to check back occasionally as additional resources will be added when more become available closer to the start of Lent.
1) Magnificat’s “Lenten Companion”
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- A Convenient, easy-to-use format
- Inspiring daily reflections from gifted Catholic writers
- Faith-filled essays
- Prayers, poetry, and devotions
- Meditations for the Way of the Cross
- A treasury of spiritual insights
- ** A great gift to invite someone back to the practice of the faith
2) Bishop Robert Barron’s “Lenten Gospel Reflections”
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- Full Gospel reading for each day of Lent 2019
- A short reflection each day from Bishop Barron
- A beautiful and practical design
- Reflection questions and journal pages
- Stations of the Cross reflections from Bishop Barron
3) Daily Lectio Divina from the Carmelite Brothers of the Most B.V.M. of Mt. Carmel
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- Divine Reading – this format includes the daily gospel, a reflection, personal questions, and prayer
- Visit website daily for Lectio Divina over the Gospel of the Day
- Option to subscribe to receive monthly Lectio Divina to your email
4) National Catholic Register’s “20 Holy Hacks for Lent”
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- Suggestions for ways to increase your faith thru prayer, fasting, and alms giving
5) Dynamic Catholic’s “Best Lent Ever”
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- Daily email subscription that includes:
- Inspirational videos
- practical tips for your faith life
- personal stories from the dynamic Catholic group
- all designed to help you on your way to becoming the person God created you to be
- Lenten Resources on website on prayer, fasting, and things to give up for Lent
6) St. Mary Parish – Lenten Women’s Study Group
View Info on Parish Website
- 5 Thursday evening sessions during Lent on the four women Doctors of the Church:
- St. Catherine of Siena
- St. Hindegard of Bingen
- St. Teresa of Avila
- St. Therese of Lisieux