Lent: A Season for the Spirit
These online resources will be updated and added to on an ongoing basis through Lent.
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'True patience is the opposite of a passive waiting in which we let things happen and allow others to make the decisions. Patience means to actively enter into the thick of life and to fully bear the suffering within and around us. Patience is the ability to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell as fully as possible the inner and outer events of our lives'. For Marina Berzins McCoy, Professor of Philosophy at Boston University, the season of Lent is about exercising this kind of patience. Read her beautiful reflection here.
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The Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts is an initiative of Biola University in Southern California, one of the leading Christian universities in the US. Biola was founded on the belief that the interrelationship between contemporary artmaking, theology, and religious tradition holds much richer potential for exploration and study than it has yet received. The work of the Center is devoted to expanding and deepening this interrelationship. An unusual multidisciplinary reflection is offered for each day of Lent 2021.
'Our lives will not be measured by the big things we do but rather by the little steps we take to make a difference. Each day during Lent take a step with us and together we will change the world.' This inspiring resource from the parish of St Joseph the Artisan in Bonnybrook, Dublin, suggests a positive action for each day of Lent.
The parish was officially recognised by Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) in 2020 as an eco-aware parish and this concern for the earth and all those with whom we share it is reflected in many of the proposed actions. ECI encourages churches of all denominations to take an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world.
The parish was officially recognised by Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) in 2020 as an eco-aware parish and this concern for the earth and all those with whom we share it is reflected in many of the proposed actions. ECI encourages churches of all denominations to take an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world.
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The Church of England’s Lent resources theme for 2021 is ‘God’s Story, Our Story’ based on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book Living His Story by Hannah Steele. Both the book and the accompanying daily reflections encourage all Christians to think about their calling, how to share their faith and reflect on the difference Christ makes in our lives.
From Ash Wednesday (17 February) to Easter Sunday (4 April), there are six reflections for each week, written by Stephen Hance, the Church of England’s National Lead for Evangelism and Witness. Each reflection includes a short passage from the Bible, a brief exploration of the reading, and a prayer. Additionally, each week has a unifying theme and an action to be taken during the week.
Sign up for the daily reflections here.
From Ash Wednesday (17 February) to Easter Sunday (4 April), there are six reflections for each week, written by Stephen Hance, the Church of England’s National Lead for Evangelism and Witness. Each reflection includes a short passage from the Bible, a brief exploration of the reading, and a prayer. Additionally, each week has a unifying theme and an action to be taken during the week.
Sign up for the daily reflections here.
Lent is a time very much associated with fasting. Here, Pope Francis discusses different forms of fasting - some traditional, some less so.
We have all come through a year like no other in living memory. The season of Lent gives us a heaven-sent opportunity to reflect prayerfully on our recent experience and the difficulties and the possibilities it has set before us.
Pray-As-Your Go – in partnership with the global online prayer phenomenon, Sacred Space – offers a Lenten online retreat. ‘Growing Back Better’ encouraging us to reflect on what kind of people we truly desire to become and what kind of world we hope to pass on to future generations. There is a new session for each of the seven weeks of Lent.
Pray-As-Your Go – in partnership with the global online prayer phenomenon, Sacred Space – offers a Lenten online retreat. ‘Growing Back Better’ encouraging us to reflect on what kind of people we truly desire to become and what kind of world we hope to pass on to future generations. There is a new session for each of the seven weeks of Lent.
This Lent, BBC Radio 4 explores aspects of Ignatian spirituality in the Morning Service and Sunday Worship, drawing on ‘Knowing Jesus’, an online retreat being offered by the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow. This multifaceted retreat provides daily reflections, an introduction to different ways of praying, stillness and awareness exercises, imaginative contemplation exercises, lectio divina, praying with art (a different image for each day of Lent) and many more. It is available to anyone in the world with access to the Internet who wants to immerse themselves in the spirituality of St Ignatius. You can also access the retreat on the following apps: Google Play and Apple.
Note If you are using a small device such as a mobile phone, scroll down the page to select the date you want. On a larger screen, the dates are to the right.
Note If you are using a small device such as a mobile phone, scroll down the page to select the date you want. On a larger screen, the dates are to the right.
A Celtic Lenten Journey
With harp, voice and violin.
Vox Hiberniae ('Voice of Ireland') was formed in 2019. it is an Irish ensemble comprising voice, harp and violin. In A Celtic Lenten Journey the ensemble draws on Irish and other musical traditions. The first of two concerts reflects the final teachings of Jesus as He makes His way to Gethsemane.
The second part will be available on Palm Sunday and will follow Jesus' journey from Gethsemane to Calvary.
With harp, voice and violin.
Vox Hiberniae ('Voice of Ireland') was formed in 2019. it is an Irish ensemble comprising voice, harp and violin. In A Celtic Lenten Journey the ensemble draws on Irish and other musical traditions. The first of two concerts reflects the final teachings of Jesus as He makes His way to Gethsemane.
The second part will be available on Palm Sunday and will follow Jesus' journey from Gethsemane to Calvary.
WITH JESUS IN THE DESERT
This self-guided online retreat was devised by the Australian Jesuits and was specifically aimed at people who have to isolate themselves during the Coronavirus pandemic. However, it is also very appropriate for Lent!
There are two sessions daily - morning and evening. The suggestions on how to pray the retreat invite you to imagine yourself in different Gospel stories. Each day also includes a way of reviewing your day and how your heart has been moved during that day. This can be especially helpful if you find the time of isolation wearisome and dispiriting. Briton Rivière's painting above vividly depicts Jesus' loneliness and lassitude in his 40 days' solitude. Knowing that he experienced, and triumphed over, a silent, barren time we take comfort in the knowledge that he is both the Way and the Wayfarer.
Access this excellent spiritual resource here.
This self-guided online retreat was devised by the Australian Jesuits and was specifically aimed at people who have to isolate themselves during the Coronavirus pandemic. However, it is also very appropriate for Lent!
There are two sessions daily - morning and evening. The suggestions on how to pray the retreat invite you to imagine yourself in different Gospel stories. Each day also includes a way of reviewing your day and how your heart has been moved during that day. This can be especially helpful if you find the time of isolation wearisome and dispiriting. Briton Rivière's painting above vividly depicts Jesus' loneliness and lassitude in his 40 days' solitude. Knowing that he experienced, and triumphed over, a silent, barren time we take comfort in the knowledge that he is both the Way and the Wayfarer.
Access this excellent spiritual resource here.