MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR LENT 2020 (VATICAN DOCUMENTS)
Pope Francis calls us to conversion.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favourable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us in the measure that we are open to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This year the Lord grants us, once again, a favourable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of our personal and communal Christian life. We must continually return to this mystery in mind and heart, for it will continue to grow within us in the measure that we are open to its spiritual power and respond with freedom and generosity.
PRAYER, FASTING, & ALMSGIVINGLent is the Church's primary penitential season in the liturgical year.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. The season has six Sundays: the final one, known as Passion (or Palm) Sunday, begins Holy Week. The origin of Lenten observances dates back to the fourth century or earlier. The length of the season reflects the forty days Christ spent praying and fasting in the desert (see Matthew 4: 1-11) and is a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter. |
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PrayerNEW! Prayers for Lent (Dynamic Catholic)
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LENTEN VIDEOS
What are the Faith Practices of Lent? Bishop Barron Explains (Word on Fire)
What Does Lent Mean? (The Religion Teacher)
Catholic Kids Homilies for Ash Wednesday and all the Weeks of Lent (Isabella D'Angelo - Catholic Kids Media)
An upbeat animated video with a kid-friendly homily based on the readings for Ash Wednesday and all the weeks of Lent.
Ash Wednesday & Lent in Two Minutes (Busted Halo)
Looking for a quick way to explain Ash Wednesday to your friends? Look no further than Busted Halo’s® two-minute video that describes the day which begins the season of Lent, and why Catholics and many Christians receive ashes on their foreheads. You can download this video from the website.
Lent Frequently Asked Questions: With Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press)
Lenten Video Series (The Religion Teacher)
Reflecting on the Lenten Scriptures Cycle A Video Options: Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press)
Psalm 22 (Catholic Kids Media) children's guided prayer
Station of the Cross for Kids (Catholic Kids Media)
Stations of the Cross Video-English (American Bible Society)
Featuring unique works of art from sculptor Gib Singleton, this video provides an opportunity for viewers to meditate on the Passion of Christ.
Palm Sunday (Outside da Box)
Palm Sunday Worksheet for Catholic Children (Sadlier)
What is Lent? (Catholic Relief Services)
Why do we set aside this season and change our practices? What does it accomplish? Fr. Jim Martin, Kerry Weber, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Chris West and others answer. Has subtitles in Spanish.
What Does Lent Mean? (The Religion Teacher)
Catholic Kids Homilies for Ash Wednesday and all the Weeks of Lent (Isabella D'Angelo - Catholic Kids Media)
An upbeat animated video with a kid-friendly homily based on the readings for Ash Wednesday and all the weeks of Lent.
Ash Wednesday & Lent in Two Minutes (Busted Halo)
Looking for a quick way to explain Ash Wednesday to your friends? Look no further than Busted Halo’s® two-minute video that describes the day which begins the season of Lent, and why Catholics and many Christians receive ashes on their foreheads. You can download this video from the website.
Lent Frequently Asked Questions: With Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press)
Lenten Video Series (The Religion Teacher)
Reflecting on the Lenten Scriptures Cycle A Video Options: Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press)
Psalm 22 (Catholic Kids Media) children's guided prayer
Station of the Cross for Kids (Catholic Kids Media)
Stations of the Cross Video-English (American Bible Society)
Featuring unique works of art from sculptor Gib Singleton, this video provides an opportunity for viewers to meditate on the Passion of Christ.
Palm Sunday (Outside da Box)
Palm Sunday Worksheet for Catholic Children (Sadlier)
What is Lent? (Catholic Relief Services)
Why do we set aside this season and change our practices? What does it accomplish? Fr. Jim Martin, Kerry Weber, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Chris West and others answer. Has subtitles in Spanish.
LENTEN RESOURCES FOR ADULTS
Forty Lenten Ideas (Janet Schaeffler, OP)
Lent approaches each year, our minds turn to, “what will we do; what will we give up?” Instead of giving up, why not put something in ... something that will take hold and stay with us for the rest of our lives – since Lent is about change/conversion. Remember that real penance is to live life well: to be the mercy and peace of God toward others. Perhaps one or two of these ideas will be helpful.
Living Lent Daily - 40 Hours to Inspire Your Journey through Lent (Loyola Press)
Each year, Lent is celebrated by millions of Catholics throughout the world. But what is truly at the heart of Lent, and how can each of us participate fully in this special season of the church year? Let Fr. James Martin, Fr. William Barry, best-selling author Vinita Hampton Wright, and many others lead you to a deeper appreciation of your faith through the Living Lent Daily series.
Lenten Reflections from Fr. Robert Barron (Word on Fire)
Fr. Barron sends daily Lenten reflections right to your inbox.
Live Lent: Things to Do (Renew International)
Live Lent: A Forty-Day Challenge (Renew International)
USCCB Lent 2020 Resources (USCCB)
Lenten Stations of the Cross (USCCB)
Lent approaches each year, our minds turn to, “what will we do; what will we give up?” Instead of giving up, why not put something in ... something that will take hold and stay with us for the rest of our lives – since Lent is about change/conversion. Remember that real penance is to live life well: to be the mercy and peace of God toward others. Perhaps one or two of these ideas will be helpful.
Living Lent Daily - 40 Hours to Inspire Your Journey through Lent (Loyola Press)
Each year, Lent is celebrated by millions of Catholics throughout the world. But what is truly at the heart of Lent, and how can each of us participate fully in this special season of the church year? Let Fr. James Martin, Fr. William Barry, best-selling author Vinita Hampton Wright, and many others lead you to a deeper appreciation of your faith through the Living Lent Daily series.
Lenten Reflections from Fr. Robert Barron (Word on Fire)
Fr. Barron sends daily Lenten reflections right to your inbox.
Live Lent: Things to Do (Renew International)
Live Lent: A Forty-Day Challenge (Renew International)
USCCB Lent 2020 Resources (USCCB)
Lenten Stations of the Cross (USCCB)
lenten activities for families and children
Ash Wednesday Lesson Plan (The Religion Teacher)
Families/CRS Rice Bowl (CRS)
CRS Rice Bowl can serve as the foundation to your family’s Lenten journey. We have prayer resources and activities to use during dinner, in the car on the way to school or whenever you have just a few moments to gather together, pause and pray. Use these holy days of Lent to respond to Pope Francis’ call to deepen your family’s faith life-and let CRS Rice Bowl accompany your family along the way.
Lent Activities (The Religion Teacher)
Check out the curated links on this site for a wide variety of kid-friendly activities.
Lent and Holy Week (Teaching Catholic Kids)
Lenten 2020 Coloring Pages (catholicmom.com)
Lenten Calendar for Kids (Catholic Icing)
Catholic Icing offers families a nice "Journey through Lent" calendar that can help kids track the days through Lent and write into the days the Lenten actions and sacrifices that they do. It is offered in a variety of languages.
40 Ideas for 40 Days (Joe Paprocki)
Faith formation activities to use with children.
Creating a Lenten Prayer Space in the Home (Building Faith)
Children, especially young children, often relate to what they can see and touch better than what they hear. A small table with a cross an empty bowl and purple cloth, among other things, is the beginning of a sensory journey through Lent for families.
NEW! Ideas for Celebrating Lent and Easter at Home (OSV)
Blog article by Joanne Bogle on Simply Catholic.
Lent: Resources for your Lenten Journey (Loyola Press)
Activities, Stations of the Cross, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Articles, Videos, Prayers, Retreats, Art, Books
Recursos Cuaresmales (Loyola Press)
Lenten Activities for Children (Catholic Icing)
Activities for preschoolers
Lenten Adventure (Holy Heroes)
Lent at Home: Activities for Busy Catholic Families (Loyola Press)
Simple ideas for Lent including crafts, mealtime sharing, reaching out in kindness and reading for families.
Stations of the Cross for Children (Loyola Press)
New! Doing the Stations of the Cross with your kids (Our Sunday Visitor)
New! Walking the Stations of the Cross this Lent (Our Sunday Visitor)
New! Taking the Journey at the Shrine of Christ's Passion - St. John, Indiana (The Shrine of Christ's Passion) virtual tour
Lenten Resources (Sadlier)
Family Lenten Calendar, Stations of the Cross Prayer, Living out Lent Activity, Act of Contrition Prayer Card
Resources for the Season of Lent (Sadlier)
Families/CRS Rice Bowl (CRS)
CRS Rice Bowl can serve as the foundation to your family’s Lenten journey. We have prayer resources and activities to use during dinner, in the car on the way to school or whenever you have just a few moments to gather together, pause and pray. Use these holy days of Lent to respond to Pope Francis’ call to deepen your family’s faith life-and let CRS Rice Bowl accompany your family along the way.
- Simple, meatless meals from around the world - perfect for Fridays during Lent for those who want to eat in Solidarity
- Catholic Social Teaching Stations of the Cross - short video reflections that help us recognize Christ still walking to Calvary in the lives of so many of our brothers and sisters
- Share the Journey Lenten resources - videos and digital retreats to help families live Pope Francis' invitation to care for the refugee and migrant during their Lenten journey
- CRS Rice Bowl mobile app - daily reflections for Lent
Lent Activities (The Religion Teacher)
Check out the curated links on this site for a wide variety of kid-friendly activities.
Lent and Holy Week (Teaching Catholic Kids)
Lenten 2020 Coloring Pages (catholicmom.com)
Lenten Calendar for Kids (Catholic Icing)
Catholic Icing offers families a nice "Journey through Lent" calendar that can help kids track the days through Lent and write into the days the Lenten actions and sacrifices that they do. It is offered in a variety of languages.
40 Ideas for 40 Days (Joe Paprocki)
Faith formation activities to use with children.
Creating a Lenten Prayer Space in the Home (Building Faith)
Children, especially young children, often relate to what they can see and touch better than what they hear. A small table with a cross an empty bowl and purple cloth, among other things, is the beginning of a sensory journey through Lent for families.
NEW! Ideas for Celebrating Lent and Easter at Home (OSV)
Blog article by Joanne Bogle on Simply Catholic.
Lent: Resources for your Lenten Journey (Loyola Press)
Activities, Stations of the Cross, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Articles, Videos, Prayers, Retreats, Art, Books
Recursos Cuaresmales (Loyola Press)
Lenten Activities for Children (Catholic Icing)
Activities for preschoolers
Lenten Adventure (Holy Heroes)
Lent at Home: Activities for Busy Catholic Families (Loyola Press)
Simple ideas for Lent including crafts, mealtime sharing, reaching out in kindness and reading for families.
Stations of the Cross for Children (Loyola Press)
New! Doing the Stations of the Cross with your kids (Our Sunday Visitor)
New! Walking the Stations of the Cross this Lent (Our Sunday Visitor)
New! Taking the Journey at the Shrine of Christ's Passion - St. John, Indiana (The Shrine of Christ's Passion) virtual tour
Lenten Resources (Sadlier)
Family Lenten Calendar, Stations of the Cross Prayer, Living out Lent Activity, Act of Contrition Prayer Card
Resources for the Season of Lent (Sadlier)
Pinterest boards with Ideas for lent
- Best Lent Ever by Dynamic Catholic- https://www.pinterest.com/dynamiccatholic/best-lent-ever/
- Catholic Icing Lent Board- https://www.pinterest.com/catholicicing/lent-ideas-for-kids/
- Catholic Diocese of Toledo Lent Recipe Board - help families focus on meatless meals together during Lent - https://www.pinterest.com/diocesetoledo/recipes-for-lent/
- Catholic Diocese of Toledo Lent Activities Board- https://www.pinterest.com/diocesetoledo/lenten-activities/
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (Durham) Pinterest Page- https://www.pinterest.com/icdurham/lent/
- Our Sunday Visitor Lent and Easter Board- https://www.pinterest.com/osv/lent-and-easter/
- RedeemedOnline's ShareJesus Project- https://www.pinterest.com/catholicicing/lent-ideas-for-kids/
- St. Jude Faith Formation Church Season: Lent, Tritium, Easter Board- https://www.pinterest.com/stjudefaithform/church-seasons-lent-triduum-easter/
- St. Michael Catholic Church Lent Board- https://www.pinterest.com/stmikeff/lent-easter/
- The Catholic Muse Lent Meals and Traditions Board - https://www.pinterest.com/thecatholicmuse/lent-meals-traditions/
Holy Week
NEW! Lenten Hymn - Were You There? (Catholic Kids Media) video reflection
Holy Week Activities (Loyola Press)
Holy Week Resources for Families (Sadlier)
Recursos de Semana Santa para las Familias (Sadlier)
How to Make the Most of Holy Week at Home (Our Sunday Visitor)
NEW! Unleash the Gospel- Worshipping from Home preparing for Holy Week family resources and activities (Archdiocese of Detroit)
NEW! Holy Week@Home Experience (Pastoral Center)
Worship services, prayers, and activities for the family. (Please read the leader page and request a free license. )
NEW! Holy Week at Home (Liturgical Press)
These prayers are not intended to replace the liturgies of Holy Week. Rather, they are a sincere effort to cultivate some of the rituals and spirit of Holy Week in our own homes when public celebration might not be possible.
Palm Sunday and Holy Week Resources (The Religion Teacher)
Palm Sunday Worksheet for Catholic Children (Sadlier)
Your Essential Guide to the Triduum (Busted Halo)
Taking you step-by-step through the three-day celebration of the Church.
The Easter Triduum ( Sadlier)
Explanation for children
Eighteen Questions on the Paschal Triduum (USCCB)
NEW! A Christian Passover Seder for Holy Thursday (Women for Faith & Family)
NEW! Holy Thursday (Worship @ Home)
Good Friday (Pinterest)
Preparing for the Easter Vigil (OnlineMinistries-Creighton University)
Catechize your parish with this bulletin that goes over the significance of each of the main parts of the Easter Vigil.
Holy Week Activities (Loyola Press)
Holy Week Resources for Families (Sadlier)
Recursos de Semana Santa para las Familias (Sadlier)
How to Make the Most of Holy Week at Home (Our Sunday Visitor)
NEW! Unleash the Gospel- Worshipping from Home preparing for Holy Week family resources and activities (Archdiocese of Detroit)
NEW! Holy Week@Home Experience (Pastoral Center)
Worship services, prayers, and activities for the family. (Please read the leader page and request a free license. )
NEW! Holy Week at Home (Liturgical Press)
These prayers are not intended to replace the liturgies of Holy Week. Rather, they are a sincere effort to cultivate some of the rituals and spirit of Holy Week in our own homes when public celebration might not be possible.
Palm Sunday and Holy Week Resources (The Religion Teacher)
Palm Sunday Worksheet for Catholic Children (Sadlier)
Your Essential Guide to the Triduum (Busted Halo)
Taking you step-by-step through the three-day celebration of the Church.
The Easter Triduum ( Sadlier)
Explanation for children
Eighteen Questions on the Paschal Triduum (USCCB)
NEW! A Christian Passover Seder for Holy Thursday (Women for Faith & Family)
NEW! Holy Thursday (Worship @ Home)
Good Friday (Pinterest)
Preparing for the Easter Vigil (OnlineMinistries-Creighton University)
Catechize your parish with this bulletin that goes over the significance of each of the main parts of the Easter Vigil.
Holidays, Holy Days, and Special Remembrances
St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Activities - March 17 (Catholic Icing)
Crafts for Catholic Kids
Saint Patrick's Day Reproducible Prayer - March 17 (Sadlier)
Virtual St. Joseph Altar - March 19 - History, prayers, crafts (Virtual St. Joseph Altar)
St. Joseph Day - Reflection for families - March 19 (RCL Benziger)
NEW! Twelve (Simple!) Ways to Celebrate the Annunciation (Mary Haseltine)
Annunciation of the Lord - March 25 (Franciscan Media)
Annunciation of the Lord - Lectionary Resources (RCL Benziger)
Learning to Say Yes - Lesson Plan (Loyola Press)
Mary and the Angel - Lesson Plan (The Catholic Toolbox)
Crafts for Catholic Kids
Saint Patrick's Day Reproducible Prayer - March 17 (Sadlier)
Virtual St. Joseph Altar - March 19 - History, prayers, crafts (Virtual St. Joseph Altar)
St. Joseph Day - Reflection for families - March 19 (RCL Benziger)
NEW! Twelve (Simple!) Ways to Celebrate the Annunciation (Mary Haseltine)
Annunciation of the Lord - March 25 (Franciscan Media)
Annunciation of the Lord - Lectionary Resources (RCL Benziger)
Learning to Say Yes - Lesson Plan (Loyola Press)
Mary and the Angel - Lesson Plan (The Catholic Toolbox)