“Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return”
– Book of Genesis 3:19
The entire liturgy of Ash Wednesday helps us to focus on this fundamental truth of faith, and stimulates us to undertake a decisive journey of personal renewal. We must change our way of thinking and acting, fixing our eyes on the face of the crucified Christ and making his Gospel our daily rule of life. “Be converted and believe in the Gospel”: May this be our Lenten program, while we enter an atmosphere of prayerful listening to the Spirit.”
– Pope John Paul II – General Audience. Vatican City. Ash Wednesday – February 28, 2001
Day By Day Through Lent: Reflections, Prayers, Practices Author: Fr. Daneil Lowery |
Journey To Easter: Spiritual Reflections for the Lenten Season
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Lenten Meditations
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Lent and Easter with Catherine Doherty
Author: Catherine Doherty
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The Essential Lenten Handbook: A Daily Companion
Author: The Redemptorists
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A Family Journey With Jesus Through Lent: Prayers and Activities for Each Day
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“The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works). ”
– Catechism of the Catholic Church 1438
“Fasting and Penance were used by the ancients to express contrition, and to assist them in controlling their natural urges. This message of humble self-abnegation runs counter to our culture’s emphasis on satisfying any and every desire we might feel. The Church’s penitential traditions are intended to help us become more conscious of – and more contrite about – our sins, as well as help us conquer our impulses and desires as the holy ones did in ancient times. ”
–Gregory Oatis “Catholic Doctrine in Scripture”
Prayer Before a Crucifix – a traditional Lenten prayer
to impress upon my heart
lively sentiments of faith,
hope and charity,
with true repentance for my sins
and a most firm desire of amendment:
whilst with deep affection and grief of soul
I consider within myself
and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious Wounds,
having before mine eyes that which David, the prophet,
long ago spoke in Thine own person concerning Thee,
my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.”