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 Charities USA
Ash Wednesday, March 6, marks the beginning of Lent. As it has for several years, CCUSA will offer daily reflections on each day’s Mass readings, authored by Catholic Charities employees and other social concerns ministers. These inspiring reflections connect Scripture with the Church’s social ministry and arrive by email first thing each morning. Sign up here to receive them. (Link)
Catholic Mobilizing Network
Catholic Mobilizing Network invites you to pray along with us this Lenten season. For each week of Lent, we offer a special reflection to guide your spiritual preparation for the death and resurrection of Christ. (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)
Ignatian Solidarity Network
We can break the barriers that keep us from a world where dignity and compassion bring the justice we seek. Join us during Lent 2019 as we work to heal a broken world. More info and email sign up here. (Link)
Lenten Day of Reflection and Reconciliation
Communion in the Paschal Mystery
Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
8:30 a.m. check-in, coffee
This annual Lenten Day of Reflection and Reconciliation is the time
to understand and appreciate the good news that is given to us at Easter.
This year we look into the beauty of the Paschal mystery
as an opportunity to find peace in troubled times.
It is a time to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation
and to prepare our house to receive the Lord once again at Easter.
Presenters:
Rev. Richard Fragomeni, PhD Rector, The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii
Rev. Connor Danstrom, Chaplain, St. John Paul II Newman Center at UIC
Take time to understand and appreciate the good news that is given to us at Easter, looking into the beauty of the Paschal mystery as an opportunity to find peace in troubled times.
Program: Praise, Presentations, Silence or Small Group Reflection,
Examination of Conscience, Reconciliation Service with individual confession.
Registration: $25 per person due by Wednesday, April 10. Lunch included.
3 WAYS TO REGISTER: Call: 312.421.3757 (V/MC) or Online: ourladyofpompeii.org or
Mail Check: The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, Lenten Day, 1224 W. Lexington, Chicago, IL 60607
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.
Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice: Recommit to Racial Justice
This year, we invite the NETWORK community to recommit to Racial Justice. It is crucial that we confront our history and the ways racism continues today, including in our federal policies. Are you with us? More info and email sign up here. (Link)
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)
University of Saint Mary of the Lake
Journey through Lent with our seminarian community by receiving weekly Gospel reflections written by your future parish priests. Take a few moments each week to reflect on your personal journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for the joy of Easter Sunday: www.usml.edu/lenten-reflections
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)
