Lent has been observed by Christians since the 4th Century. It is a time of reflection, penitence, and spiritual renewal before Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, and ends at midnight on Holy Saturday, April 8 2023, the night before Easter Sunday.
How to Observe Lent
During Lent, some Christians focus on giving up something. Is it necessary for the observation of Lent to give up a delicacy or a bad habit or an hour of sleep in the Lenten period? That should be a matter between a Christian and God. Some may decide to do something extra for their spiritual hindrance to the Spirit. Some may make a special sacrifice of some sort. And some may decide to improve their communication and fellowship with God by having special times of prayer throughout the day, or vow to worship in the church at every service held.
The important thing is to make Lent a special time, a memorable time. A time so meaningful that it sets the tone for the rest of the entire year. At the very least it should be a time of sincere spiritual growth.
Lent resources to help deepen your faith and grow closer to God
LENT 2023 | Reflect. Repent. Restore:
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers a lot of resources and prayers to help you Reflect. Repent. Restore this Lent. https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/lent
Daily Lent Calendars:
USSCB Lent Calendar: https://www.usccb.org/resources/2023-daily-lent-calendar-bilingual
Family Lent Calendar: https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/lent/activities-and-resources/lenten-family-calendar
Daily Lent Reflections
40 Days to Grace and Glory: This Lent journey with, Dr. Tim Gray, by signing up for Daily Lenten Reflections. Each day you will receive in your inbox a short video that features Dr. Gray commenting on the daily Mass readings, explaining the Scriptures, and providing you with concrete ideas on how to apply them to your life. Click here to sign up
Dynamic Catholic Best Lent Ever Reflections: Every day, you will receive two short, practical, and inspiring videos in your inbox, each representing a pathway leading toward a better version of you and a closer relationship with God. Click here to sign up
Daily Lent Gospel Reflections with Bishop Barron: Spend your time with Christ in the Gospel this Lent alongside Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire community. https://www.lentreflections.com/
Examination of Conscience based on the Ten Commandments
Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with this USCCB guide that leads you through how to conduct a brief examination of conscience. https://www.usccb.org/resources/examination-conscience
Lent Videos on Formed.org
*All who come to our church, are welcome to join Formed.org!
Sign up for your free account https://ourladyofguadalupechurch.org/join-formed-org/
Living Lent as a Family (4-part series): Have you ever wanted to live more liturgically but not known how? Formed.org offers a series to help families during Lent. We pray that these discussions bless you and your family. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/videos/formed-now-living-lent-as-a-family-part-1-of-
Augustine Institute Lenten Reflections: Christ’s love for you is bursting forth. Embrace him and let his mercy pierce your heart during this Lenten season. Join a 40-day journey of welcoming his tender love, beginning with these short, daily videos https://watch.formed.org/lenten-reflections
Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession*: This video series explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament of mercy reveals the depth and bounty of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and making a step-by-step examination of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to come and experience his indescribable love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/forgiven. (Also available in Spanish: https://watch.formed.org/perdonado)
Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained: This video series will lead you through the “big picture” of the Catholic Faith and our Creed is the guide. Symbolon brings together some of the most trusted Catholic teachers in the world to guide you through the breadth and richness of the Catholic faith. Use Symbolon in RCIA, for Catechist training, in Men’s & Women’s Groups, Bible Study Groups, and more. Available to you free* on https://watch.formed.org/symbolon-the-catholic-faith-explained
Click here for more Lent Videos on Formed.org
Lent Fasting & Abstinence Guidelines
If you are looking for more information about fasting and abstinence during lent, check out our post on this topic.
Reconciliation
Lent is a great time to Rediscover the sacrament of reconciliation
During Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is available at OLG on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 PM, Saturdays from 9 to 10 AM, and by appointment.
Almsgiving
During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on “almsgiving,” which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is “a witness to fraternal charity” and “a work of justice pleasing to God.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). usccb.org
Here are a few opportunities to consider for almsgiving through donations to Church ministries during Lent
Franciscan Vietnam Mission
The Conventual Franciscan presence in Vietnam has its origins in the refugee crisis that followed the Fall of Saigon in April 1975. Today, the apostolic life of the friars in Vietnam focuses principally on the corporal works of mercy. In the Red River Delta area in the north, the friars minister both to the rural poor of Thai Binh Province and especially to elderly leprosy patients in Văn Môn Village. In the south, the friars have created the Bread of Saint Anthony program which assists poor families — often headed by single mothers — with basic necessities: food, clothing and school supplies for the children. On weekends, the Conventual Franciscan student friars who study philosophy and theology at either the Franciscan Institute of Saigon or the Centrum Dominicanum Studiorum bring meals to the sick in Thủ Đức Hospital in the metro-Saigon megalopolis. Visit Franciscanfriars.org/vietnam/ for more information and how to make a donation online.
Together in Mission
With the Together in Mission Campaign, your generosity blesses the local underserved parish and communities within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Help Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish reach a goal of $39,248. To learn more and to make a donation online visit togetherinmission.org
