Living the Lenten Season
"Jesus' temptation reveals the way in which the Son of God is Messiah, contrary to the way Satan proposes to him and the way men wish to attribute to him. This is why Christ vanquished the Tempter for us: 'For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning.' By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church #540
The purpose of Lent is to unite ourselves to the mystery of Jesus in the desert (cf. Matthew 4, Luke 4). These are amazing words! But they are just words until we put them into practice - until we really enter into the season of Lent actively and make it our own.
Below, we offer some resources that we hope will help you enter into and live fully the mystery of Lent this year. We want you to know that God is calling you to something special - to share his blessed life with him for all eternity! Lent is a great time to get to know God and make steps toward answering his call. #LentsDoThis
BEST LENT EVER (website) - The easiest way to make this your #bestlentever! Just sign up at DynamicCatholic.com/Lent to receive a free daily email with practical tips, inspiring stories, and a short inspirational video to help you make the most out of each of these forty days.
What to Give Up For Lent (website) - Great website that offers information about the history and observance of Lent, as well as "daily sacrifice" ideas that you can subscribe to via email, Facebook, or Twitter. Check it out!
66 Things to Give Up For Lent (blog post) - Blog post from the Catholic All Year blog that lists 66 outside-the-box suggestions for Lenten sacrifices that you might not have thought of. There are three "difficulty" settings: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, making the list perfect for you, no matter where you are on your faith journey!
CatholicCulture.org's "Lenten Workshop" (website) - Section of the awesome CatholicCulture.org webpage that covers Lenten prayers and activities, including ideas for family activities and teaching kids about Lent.
Fasting and Abstinence (article) - Article by theologian Colin B. Donovan, STL, for EWTN outlining the Church's rules governing fasting, abstinence, and Lenten sacrifices.
Fr. Mike Schmitz on Preparing for Lent (video) - Youth and young adult ministry guru Fr. Mike Schmitz on how to use your Lenten sacrifice to grow closer to God during Lent. Set aside 8 minutes and watch Fr. Mike tell it like it is. (8:17)
Why Forty Days? (video) - Biblical expert Dr. Scott Hahn explains the significance of the number 40 in the Bible and why it is important that Lent is a 40-day period. (8:12)
The Practices of Lent (video) - Bishop Robert Barron fills us in on the three traditional practices of Lent - prayer, fasting, and abstinence - and how to make them a part of our daily lives during Lent. (6:14)
An Illustrated Guide to the Triduum (infographic) - This handy infographic courtesy of Jonathan Teixeira from the FOCUS blog helps you to understand what happened on each of the three days of the Easter Triduum and how these events are called to mind through the special symbols at the three great liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
DEVOTIONS & MASS TIMES
- Dive into Lent by joining us for Mass on Ash Wednesday (February 14) at 7am, 9am (school Mass), 5pm, or 7pm.
- The Light is On For You will follow on the other Wednesdays during Lent with Mass at 6pm and confessions until 8pm.
- Walk alongside Jesus in his sufferings by participating in Stations of the Cross on Thursdays at 2:15pm or Fridays at 7pm during Lent.
- Consider taking part in The Gift: A Life in the Spirit Seminar, where you will have the opportunity to encounter the Holy Spirit in a profound and personal way. The Gift will take place across six Thursdays between Feb. 22 and Apr. 5. Click here to download a flyer with more information.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Holy Thursday: Thursday, March 29, at 7pm
Good Friday: Friday, March 30, at 7pm
Easter Vigil: Saturday, March 31, from 8:30pm until 11pm (reception to follow)
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1, at 7am, 8:30am, 10am, and 11:30am