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Archbishop Don's Message for the Second Week of Lent

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the Archdiocese, and all tuning in for this message for the second week of Lent, warm greetings.

Thankfully, our polar vortex is behind us now. The word Lent comes from the old English word ‘Lenten’, which means Spring. In this province Spring comes slowly, and that serves as a good metaphor for Lent, and the slow transformation of ourselves into people of the Kingdom. In the early church, the desert fathers and mothers went to live in the wilderness in order to open themselves completely to the transformative grace of God in their lives. They called the desert the furnace of transformation. That’s also a good image for Lent...

Where is there excess in your life?

Traditionally, Lent is a time for simplicity. It is a time to take an inventory of your life. Where is there excess in your life? Is this excess taking you away from the one thing that matters the most, to be a son/daughter of Christ?

📣Today’s challenge: Walk around your house with a bag and fill it with things you can donate to the needy. Some ideas: a sweater you no longer wear, an extra pair of socks, books that haven’t been cracked open in awhile, extra food items to the local shelter.

Today's challenge: Don’t hit the snooze button tomorrow morning. Be determined to start your day for Christ by getting up on time.

Arts & Faith: Lent

Enter into a visual prayer experience this Lent with Arts & Faith: Lent. Each week Loyola Press will provide a video commentary about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of spiritual renewal through the lens of sacred art.

Arts & Faith in Lent

CCCB Journey Through Lent Video Series

Bishop Robert Barron - Week One: What are the Practices of Lent?

Lent is a time where Catholics are asked to turn away from the bodily pleasures of the world. We wear ashes, give alms, fast, give up meat, and other pleasures. Take a moment to listen to these helpful lenten practices from Bishop Barron.

Enjoy more Lenten music curated by Blessed is She on Spotify. (requires Spotify account)

Lenten Spotify Playlist

Second Sunday of Lent Readings

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Psalm 116
Romans 8:31b-35, 37
Mark 9:2-10

Mass Readings

Weekly reflection for February 21, first Sunday of Lent: A time in the wilderness, reflecting on the kingdom of God

In the Vatican II document Sacrosanctum concilium, the Council Fathers noted that the two elements that are especially characteristic of Lent, and by means of which the Church prepares the faithful for the celebration of Easter, are the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and penance (SC, 109). In that same paragraph, the Fathers note that catechesis on the penitential element of Lent should impress on the minds of the faithful both the distinctive character of penance as a detestation of sin because it is an offense against God and point out the social consequences of sin...