Lent

1. Read the Bible daily.   Make time every day to read a passage from Scripture. By daily immersing yourself in the stories and lessons of Scripture, you will better prepare yourself for Easter. If you go to the United States Conference of…

The Easter Triduum is the liturgical season lasting three days and commemorating the Last Supper, the Passion, and the Resurrection. Across the country, churches and individuals commemorate these holy days with special traditions and…

When I was a minister in the Church of England, one of my tasks was to lead funeral services. The words of the ancient Book of Common Prayer were beautiful and infused with the words of Scripture. One of the most famous lines which many…

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Church’s calendar is genius. In December, when the cold sets in to stay, we don’t mind because the Church gives us Advent and Christmas. When February drives us to despair that the cold will…

Do you love Lent? I suppose not many of us do. The traditional Lenten practices of almsgiving and fasting are not meant to be pleasant. Suffering and sacrifice are kind of the point. But in some crazy way, I do love Lent. This might make me…

Our smartphones can be a distraction that detracts from our spiritual lives. This Lent, why not let your phone inspire you toward penance and prayer with these Catholic apps? 1. Lenten devotions Xt3 Lent Calendar by Catholic…

Lent this year comes at the end of a long winter. The gray skies and lack of sunshine can be taxing on our spiritual and psychological health, and we may not feel motivated to enter into this holy season. But Lent can be forty days of…

“Michael,” I shouted, “your time’s up! Come out of there!” My frustration was building as I stood in front of the inflated carnival castle filled with small children jumping and bouncing to their hearts’ delight. My 3-year-old son, Michael,…

Beginning with Sunday Mass, there are countless ways to get in touch with the Church’s spirit of Lent. There are plenty of opportunities to engage in prayer, fasting, and charity. Here are some activities you can use to enter into the…

There was always one kid in catechism class who raised his hand and asked if he could give up homework for Lent. I was not that kid. I dug deep to find the thing whose absence would most torture me — usually chocolate. As an adult, I gave…