By Francesca Pollio Fenton
Catholic News Agency
Lent is a time when Catholics around the world are invited to pray, fast and give alms as the Church prepares to enter once again into the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. It is a time when the faithful often give things up to remember Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.
Many people also choose to add something to their spiritual practice to help them grow in faith. So with that in mind, here’s a list of Catholic resources that can help the faithful deepen their relationship with the Lord this Lenten season.
‘Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem’
This year, walk with Jesus to Jerusalem using Ascension’s “Lenten Companion: Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem.” Father Mark Toups will guide you to reflect on Jesus’ suffering and Death while inspiring you to celebrate in his Resurrection and bring you deeper peace and healing. The Lenten journal includes daily reflections, prayers and artwork. Plus, there will be weekly videos each Sunday of Lent as well as Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and Easter. The weekly videos will be in the Ascension App, and Toups will also share daily audio reflections on the app that will be accessible for those with premium subscriptions.
Gospel reflections from Word on Fire
Word on Fire is offering a Lenten devotional that features the full Gospel reading for each day of Lent, a daily reflection from Bishop Robert Barron, space for journaling and answering reflection questions, and the Stations of the Cross. The “Lenten Gospel Reflections” devotional is free; you only have to cover the price for shipping.
‘Rescued’ devotional for the family
Blessed is She’s Lenten devotional is for the whole family. “Rescued: Lent with the Lamb of God” encourages the faithful to turn their eyes to the Lamb of God instead of focusing on their sins, sacrifices and resolutions. “Rescued” places our focus on what Lent is truly about – through Christ’s Death, we are brought into new life. The devotional comes in a version for women, men and kids and uses narration, storytelling, Scripture, sacred art and imaginative prayer to walk you through Lent.
‘Time of Renewal’ book study
“A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season” by Mother Mary Francis, PCC, is a beautiful devotional that includes the daily Mass readings and a reflection. Join the hosts of the Abiding Together Podcast as they take listeners through this Lenten devotional. Each week of Lent, they will post discussion and journaling questions along with a podcast episode.
‘Oasis’ devotional
This daily Lenten devotional walks you through the 40 days of Lent as you search for the one oasis that can satisfy your thirst – Jesus Christ. “Oasis” includes daily prayer prompts, unique reflections, and weekly fasts with the hope of helping you strengthen your faith and your relationship with Jesus.
Hallow Pray40 Challenge
Join Catholic actors Mark Wahlberg and Jonathan Roumie; Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT; Sister Mary Bernice; and Father Mike Schmitz in Hallow’s Lent Pray40 Challenge. This Lent, Hallow will walk listeners through “He Leadeth Me” by Father Walter J. Ciszek, a Jesuit priest and missionary who was imprisoned for 20 years in the Soviet Union amid some of the worst conditions imaginable. Together with Ciszek’s powerful story of surrender and other inspiring testimonies, listeners will experience a transformative Lenten season focused on surrendering one’s life to God.
The Pray More Lenten Retreat
The Pray More Lenten Retreat is an online, self-paced retreat featuring four Catholic speakers discussing topics such as hearing God’s voice in prayer, praying with Scripture, fasting, God’s divine mercy, a reflection on suffering and more. There are 16 presentations with a transcript, study guide, and downloadable audio and video. The online retreat aims to help you have a transformative Lent, become more intentional with your prayer life, deepen your faith, and slow down and reflect on your walk with Jesus. There is no required fee, though participants can choose to give a small donation that helps offset the retreat costs.
Online resources for kids
Both Ascension and Hallow have great options for kids who want to grow in their faith this Lent.
Ascension has a Lenten companion for children ages 7 to 12 that accompanies the adult version mentioned above. It includes questions to prompt conversations about faith as a family, songs of the week to listen to, prayers, and other activities for kids to do each week such as writing a note to Jesus.
Kids can also take part in Hallow’s Saints and the Spirit challenge. Each week of the challenge will focus on one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and feature a “Saints Alive” mini-episode on the story of a saint who lived out the gift in their own lives. Some of the saints featured include Saint Thomas More, Saint John Paul II, Saint Bakhita, Saint Valentine and others. It will also include daily reflection sessions that are fewer than 10 minutes long, and Hallow will share new “Saints Alive” coloring pages.
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