Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God’s gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: “Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).

In Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

Please join together with our parish community to pray for our 27 RCIA candidates as they prepare to be received into the Church on Holy Saturday. 

 

 

Formed.org and Ascension Press offers daily email meditations to help guide us on our Lenten journey.

 

Growing this Lent with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Looking for something to help you grow spiritually this Lent?  How about delving into and understanding more of the Bible?  Fr. Mike Schmitz started the Bible in a Year podcast in January, but you can join at any time.  You can follow the Bible readings for Lent or pick and choose the parts of Scripture that you want to learn more about. Learn more  here .

 

Listen to Father Schmitz encouragement about hearing confession. 

Examination.Conscience.USCCB

View more Lenten Resources here