26th February is Ash Wednesday.
It is the beginning of the Lenten season
-- a time for deeper prayer, conversion, and transforming action.
"To acknowledge our complicity in systems that hurt, diminish, and disregard others and our earth is a sign of our capacity to respond to God’s call in a new way – that of strength in weakness. Such awareness of our personal, communal, congregational, institutional complicity in unjust systems humbles us. It invites us to be more open to the transforming work of the Spirit in us and in the world."
Being Artisans of Hope in our Blessed and Broken World, p. 13.
Here are some resources for prayer, reflection, and action:
From Pope Francis:
Pope's message for Lent 2020.
"We begin the Lenten Season by receiving ashes: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return (cf. Gen 3:19)..... Ashes are thus a reminder of the direction of our existence: a passage from dust to life.... The ashes we receive remind us of a second and opposite passage: from life to dust.... Let us allow ourselves to be loved, so that we can give love in return...."
Some of the highlights in our March issue include: Why Lent? .... The call for transformation .... What attitudes of heart are essential for us during Lent? .... Prayer and Reflection Resources for Lent .... New video: Sacred Heart Education and Mission
Video, poster, assembly ideas, calendar, liturgy, stations of the Cross, reconciliation service, etc.
A 2020 online calendar to reflect, pray and take global justice actions throughout the season of Lent.
"In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need."
This resource prepared by St. Columban Mission Society "explores six Earth life support systems as ways of God revealing, God inspiring, God challenging. We meditate in wonder and thanksgiving at the beauty and complexity of Earth’s eco-cycles. We reflect in sadness and outrage at our human abuse. We ask for forgiveness and decide on positive action for change."
A retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola.
A resource prepared by the Claretians for Lent 2020: "Our conversion would be of no use if it were not ecological, social, spiritual, and Christian, a conversion called for by Pope Francis in the apostolic constitution Laudato Si’. Looking beyond ourselves, we propose to live this sacred time by looking at the Sustainable Development Goals that directly concern our planet, specifically Goals 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15."
Loyola Press offers resources for liturgy, prayers and retreat, Lenten activities, arts and faith, and perspectives on Lent.
Operation Noah has published this five-session course which is designed for use as a Lent course.
This way of the Cross was prepared by Sr Anne McCabe, SM, Sr Juliana Karomba, MSOLA, and Fr Andreas Göpfert, MAFR, for the JPIC commission of USG and UISG in Rome.
This Lenten reflection guide prepared by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns focuses on the concept of "ecological conversion," emphasized by Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si'.
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) offers this collection of Lenten resources.
The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) is pleased to offer resources that enable Catholic educators to guide their students during this season of Lent.
2020 Share Lent campaign resources prepared by Development and Peace (Caritas Canada).
"Lent 2020 invites us to spiritual renewal in support of our vulnerable sisters and brothers around the world."
Please send suggested Lenten resources to rscj.webweaver@gmail.com
Our Spirituality:
JPIC: