Lent, which begins Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday, is a period of spiritual renewal that helps us prepare for the celebration of the Paschal mystery of Christ—that is, his passion, death and resurrection. The three pillars of the Lenten season are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By spending time in prayer and in reflection on the Scriptures, through penance and through giving up (sacrificial acts) and giving to others (charitable acts), we look to experience a spiritual reawakening that brings us closer to Christ.
Lent's origins can be traced in part to a short period of fasting and prayer undergone by catechumens / elect, who are preparing for full initiation into the Church at Easter through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. The season is a reminder of the great gift of baptism, both the salvation it offers, as well as the challenge that comes with it. As Pope Francis expressed in his Lenten message, we must "imitate Christ who became poor and enriched us by his poverty."
You will find some resources below to help you in your Lenten journey. Click on any of the lines.
Prayer Opportunities & Scripture Reflections
• Echoing God's Word Scripture Reflections
• Prayer Opportunities around the Diocese including churches open for private prayer
• Bishop Robert Barron's Weekly Reflections (Sign up to receive via email)
• Ignatian Solidarity Network: Steadfast: A Call to Love
• Journey Begins Lenten Reflections - Prison and Jail Ministry
• Lenten Inspiration for Families - February 28, offered by the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation
• Meet me in the Desert - CRS Lenten Prayer
• Saints for the Lenten Season
• Seven Penitential Psalms and the Songs of the Suffering Servant (USCCB)
Prayers during the pandemic
• Pope Francis' prayer to Mary
• Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Lenten Calendars
• CRS Rice Bowl Lenten Calendar
The Season of Lent
• Questions and Answers about Lent (USCCB )
• Questions and Answers about Lent (EWTN)
• Ten things to Remember for Lent (USCCB)
Retreats
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
• A Brief Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments
• Pastoral exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
• Exhortación Pastoral sobre el Sacramento de Penitencia y Reconciliación
Lenten Fasting
• Prayer of the Wilderness for those who are fasting - CRS
• Reflection on Fasting and Abstinence - USCCB
Stations of the Cross
• Stations of the Cross in our Diocese
• Living Stations of the Cross in our Diocese
• Praying the Stations of the Cross
• Stations of the Cross for Autistic People
• A Scriptural Way of the Cross for Lent
• Stations of the Cross - Creighton University
• Stations of the Cross - CRS Video Reflections
• Stations of the Cross for Victims of Human Trafficking
• Stations of the Cross for Vocations
Sharing Our Gifts
• Catholic Charities Maine opportunities
Pope Francis's Lenten Messages
• Pope Francis' Ash Wednesday Homily 2021
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2020
• Pope Francis Ash Wednesday Homily 2020
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2019
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2018
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2017
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2016
• Pope Francis' Lenten Message 2015
Other Resources
• Six Ways to Evangelize during Lent (USCCB)