Observing Lent

On March 5 we observe Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Resurrection at Easter.

The traditional way of observing the 40 days of Lent is by prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We find God in prayer and by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ more faithfully.

Here are some Lenten suggestions that may energize your spirit and enhance your journey with Jesus during the season.

• Pray a psalm. All 150 are found here.
• Spend a few minutes in quiet prayer during a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, perhaps in Villa Maria Chapel or the Marian Chapel.
• Walk and meditate on the Stations of the Cross – either out on the back campus or around the perimeters of our chapels.
• Choose one of the Passion Narratives for reflective reading during Lent: Matthew 26:30 – 27:66; Mark 14:26-15:47; Luke 22:39-23:56 or John 18:1-4o; 19:1-37.
• If you able to do other spiritual reading, some wonderful authors are Henri Nouwen and Joyce Rupp. Ave Maria Press also has a fine series “30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher.”
• If you are interested in a book about Mary, “The Reed of God” by Caryll Houselander is a classic and is available at Ave Maria Press, which also carries classics by Thomas Merton, books for teachers, and books on Catholic history. These can be found at their website or 800.282.1865.

Blessings to you as you take up the Lenten challenge to grow closer to Jesus!