The season of Lent has returned once again. How are you preparing yourself to enter into Christ’s passion?

Prepare the Way

This summer I went on a 10 mile hike through the desert.

By hike I mean shuffle, and by desert I mean the outskirts of Krakow.

Leading up to this World Youth Day pilgrimage I was still adjusting to my new job which led to little preparation. Instead of filling my bag like a sane person, I brought a small water bottle, one foil blanket, the mat that is supposed to go under the sleeping bag, and a severe lack of sunscreen.

About 2 miles in, my journey became less about the pilgrimage and more about my discomfort, 5 miles in, I stopped offering up my sufferings, and that night, instead on praying with fellow pilgrims, I shivered under my foil blanket, nursing my severe sunburn. I missed out on a lot that night, because I was unprepared for the sacrifices I was to make in order to meet Jesus in that field 10 miles outside of Krakow.

Packing for Lent

Lent is a difficult journey we make every year, and since it is every year, sometimes we may let it sneak up on us. The Church has given us a packing list of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us prepare for this season- to do more than simply giving up chocolate for 40 days.

Take it from my man, Fr. Mike.

 

“How can I let God use this time… to make me a saint?”

Below are resources and Archdiocesan events to help support you on your Lenten journey.

Daily Devotionals

  • Best Lent Ever – Short videos and devotional content from Dynamic Catholic sent to your email every day.
  • Word on Fire – Receive daily Gospel reflections this season from Bishop Barron.
  • EatMoreFish – A one-stop-shop featuring a video of the stations, a penance generator, and fish fry map.

 

The Pillars of the Season

“Lent is a favorable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.”  – Pope Francis, Message for Lent

Prayer

How can I develop my relationship with Jesus through prayer this lent?

Fasting

What do I need to be purified from?

  • The Lentsanity App  – This app provides you with more Lenten resources and reminds you to not to eat meat on Fridays!
  • A Reflection on Lenten Fasting  – Fr. Daniel Merz shares why the Church fasts during Lent and its origins in fasting.
  • An Illustrated Guide – Curious about the specifics of fasting and abstinance? This info-graphic explains it all!

Almsgiving

How can I use this time to bless others?