Events

Lenten Resources

“Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God ‘with all their hearts’ (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and grow in friendship with the Lord.” – Pope Francis.

The Archdiocese of Chicago is delighted to provide Catholics and non-Catholics with a wide variety of opportunities to take Pope Francis’ words to heart and begin a Lenten mission of deepening relationships with those around them and with Jesus Christ.

This year, Lent begins on Feb. 22, 2023, and is a time in the Catholic tradition in which we are asked to slow down, reflect and prepare ourselves to receive the incredible gift of Easter morning. We are invited to pray more, deny ourselves by fasting, and give alms to the poor. There are many ways you can live out these practices.

To assist you in your Lenten preparation and practices, here are a few resources we have compiled for your use:

Ave Maria Press

They have compiled 40 soup recipes and daily reflections to nourish both your body and soul throughout Lent. You can find the recipes and reflections on their website. (link)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Join the CRS Rice Bowl Movement in 2022! Whether CRS Rice Bowl is a tradition in your community or if you are considering participating for the first time, these tips will help you prepare for a season of encounter: crsricebowl.org
If you would like to receive daily reflections and recipes on your smart phone or tablet device, download their innovative CRS Rice Bowl app. (link)

Chicago Catholic

Lenten conversions – March 16, 2022 (link)

Lent and God’s economy of salvation – March 2, 2022 (link)

FDLC Lenten Liturgy Resource

Liturgical Preparation Aid for Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, and the Easter Season 2023 (Year A).

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions offers a liturgical preparation aid in English and Spanish here. These booklets contain:

  • The Rite of Reconciliation of Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution
  • Music suggestions
  • Penance suggestions
  • A Liturgical Calendar Advisory
  • Lectionary readings for Sundays and Solemnities
  • Preparation sheets for the Rites during the Period of Purification and Enlightenment
  • Preparation sheet for Palm Sunday
  • Preparation sheets for the Sacred Paschal Triduum

PLEASE NOTE: The Reconciliation Service in the English version uses the texts from the revised Order of Penance. This liturgical book may be used as of Ash Wednesday, February 22. It must be used on and after April 16 – The Second Sunday of Easter/ The Sunday of Divine Mercy.

Lent Lamentation Prayer Service for Immigrants and Refugees (English | Español)

Lenten Fast Regulations

Regulations from February 22 (Ash Wednesday) to the Paschal Triduum (PDF)

Lenten Liturgical Notes 2023

A quick survey of pertinent directives for the major Lenten liturgies, including the time of the Easter Vigil (PDF)

Lentsanity — Fellowship Of Catholic University Students

Lent resources including a mobile app, from Focus.org, an online Catholic college outreach blog.

Liturgical Music Resource for the Rites and Rituals

Music Directors and RCIA Directors can use this resource in planning the Rite of Sending to the Cathedral for Election, the Scrutinies for the Elect and the other public rituals that facilitate the process of Initiation. (PDF)

Loyola Press

They provide a number of helpful resources for individuals and parish life. These include video reflections on art, essays, Stations of the Cross, and much more. Click here to discover all of their resources. You can also sign-up for a daily reflection to be delivered directly to your email inbox. To subscribe, click here.

Mundelein Seminary

Prepare your heart for the joy of Easter by signing up to get weekly Lenten reflections from your future parish priests via email at https://usml.edu/lenten-reflections/.

National Pastoral Migratoria Lenten Calendar 2023 (English | Español)

OSV Catholic Bookstore

Lenten book, Finding Christ in the Crisis: What the Pandemic Can Teach Us, that includes a free CD of music with purchase. (link)

Sample Communal Reconciliation Service

Resources for a service that could be fashioned such that the individual sacrament of Penance is part of it, or it could be a non-sacramental service that is aimed at preparing a community to receive the Sacrament later. (PDF)

Simply Catholic

Lenten resources and informational materials for those who want to learn more about Lent. (link)

Solidarity Bridge

Join the Solidarity Bridge community for their Lenten reflection series: Seeing the Faces that Call us to Justice. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “perceive in the face of every person a call to encounter, dialogue and solidarity.” This Lent, reflect on what it means to see Christ in the faces of our brothers and sisters in need. Through weekly emails with prayers, links to the readings, and images from Bolivia and Paraguay, readers are invited to deepen their relationship with God and grow in solidarity with others. Sign up to receive weekly messages throughout Lent at www.solidaritybridge.org/lent.
Solidarity Bridge is a lay initiative of the Archdiocese of Chicago responding to the Gospel call to heal the sick. In a spirit of solidarity, we partner with communities in Bolivia and Paraguay to increase access to safe, affordable surgery and other essential healthcare.
Flyer (PDF)

Triduum in Multi-Site Parishes

A good resource for the celebration of the Triduum Liturgies in multi-site parishes comes from Liturgy Training Publications. The article, The Triduum in Cluster Parishes, Gathering the Community to Celebrate, by Fr. Paul Turner, offers solid options for these important liturgies.

For the Paschal Candles in multi-site parishes, the USCCB offers direction for incorporating them into the Easter Vigil. See the question, “In the case of mission churches or cluster parishes can multiple paschal candles be used..” here: Questions on the Sacred Paschal Triduum | USCCB.

USCCB

Pray with God’s Word this Lent! Get the daily readings sent to your email each morning. Sign up for your free subscription from the USCCB here.