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 March 6 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 2019! 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
Best known at Lent for Operation Rice Bowl, a wonderful and easy way to give alms, CRS has many other resources to enable you, your family and community to encounter Lent. You will find daily reflections, stories of hope, recipes, and other resources on their website. (Link)
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)
Creighton University
Their extensive resources include, but are not limited to, daily prayers, audio discussions and retreats, and essays to read. Take a look and see if there is something for you. (Link)
Franciscan Media
Prepare for Easter with Lent activities, readings and reflections updated daily from the Franciscans and St. Anthony Messenger Press. (Link)
Lentsanity - Fellowship Of Catholic University Students
Lent resources including a mobile app, from Focus.org, an online Catholic college outreach blog.
Liturgy Training Publications
Liturgy Training Publications offers resources including booklets and digital resources for the season of Lent and Easter. (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. For options in Spanish click here.
You can also sign-up for a daily reflection to be delivered directly to your email inbox. To subscribe, click here.
Solidarity Bridge
Join the Solidarity Bridge community for prayer and reflection throughout Lent!
Throughout this holy season, receive weekly online tools to facilitate the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All are invited to sign up and journey with us at http://www.solidaritybridge.org/lent
Flyer (PDF)
USCCB
This page includes essays, videos, prayers, and reflections for Lent. (Link)
Liturgical Resources
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)
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)
Events
Escape from the Darkness
A Pre-Lenten Spiritual Morning of Reflection
Saturday, February 23, 2019
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
National Shrine of St Maximilian Kolbe At Marytown
1600 West Park Avenue
Libertyville, IL 60048
Reflection Leader: Fr. Benedict La Volpe, OFM Conv.
RSVP to Sally Willer at willerdan65@gmail.com or 847.627.9585
Flyer (PDF)