It’s hard to believe that Lent is upon us so quickly this year. Next year, Ash Wednesday will be nearly three weeks later – March 1, 2017! How will you Fast, Pray & Give this year.
Here’s a few resources I’m looking at this year:
USCCB – “Lent 2016: 40 Days of Mercy
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl – I especially like their weekly, meatless recipes from around the world. Hopefully they will again have videos of Fr. Leo demonstrating each one.
Loyola Press Lenten Resources especially their Online Lenten Retreats & Prayers
Creighton University On-Line Ministries: Praying Lent – I highly recommend this audio retreat presented by the wise Fr. Larry Gillick, S.J.
Other Jesuit Lenten resources can be found at Thinking Faith and the audio-focused Pray As You Go – both from the U.K.
Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Lenten Resources (includes a link to sign up for his daily Lenten reflection emails.)
As of today (Monday), Busted Halo hasn’t posted their popular Lent calendar yet. They have a few Lenten themed articles as well as this excellent Ash Wednesday in Two Minutes video:
Last year for both Lent and Advent I found the resources offered by the Society of St. John the Evangelist to be faith and thought provoking. This year’s theme, which encompasses daily videos, emails and a workbook is entitled: Growing a Rule of Life. It begins with this introductory video by one of the wise brothers:
And it even has a component for use with youth.
In light of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking celebration of God’s Creation, “Laudato Si” how about connecting your Lenten fasting to activities which care for creation. A number of faith organizations offer Lenten calendars with suggestions for each day:
Sisters of St. Joseph Carbon Fast
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
Carbon Fast – Anglican Communion
More extensive “carbon fast” programs, including daily emails and message boards, are offered by MACUCC and EcoChurch Southwest (U.K.)
Shifting gears to focus on apps, Give Us This Day is offering a free trial of their app featuring the day’s morning & evening prayers as well as the daily mass.
Finally, props to a great blog site – Catholic Apptitude and their listing of apps and related resources for Lent.
