A Few Lenten Resources
One of the bonus benefits of being Catholic is the multiple opportunities to start anew or hit the refresh button throughout the year. There’s “Catholic New Year” with the start of Advent, actual New Year in January, and of course Lent.
There are seasons of life where we need Lent more than in previous years. Perhaps we’re in a spiritual dry spell, coming out of a particularly tough bout of “survival mode”, or just in need of an opportunity to turn towards our faith and away from the distractions and temptations of the secular world.
I’m not sure why, but this year I am really looking forward to Lent. There’s a lot of “static” from the outside world crowding out time I’d prefer to devote to my spiritual life, or at the very least a good book. I’m in need of some additional prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
So, with Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent right around the corner, I thought I’d round up a few Lenten resources for anyone looking to deepen their normal Lenten practice:
USSCCB Guidelines on minimum fasting and abstinence requirements for American Catholics:
A few thoughts from St. Thomas Aquinas on fasting:
https://aleteia.org/2019/04/14/3-mental-health-benefits-of-fasting-according-to-thomas-aquinas/
As with all things liturgical year, if you’re not sure where to start in the home, just go see Kendra (always):
Some practical Lenten advice from Leila Lawler at Like Mother, Like Daughter:
https://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2017/02/practical-thoughts-coming-lent-reading-soup-more/
This is the devotional journal I’ll be using this year. I believe they have a digital version available too:
https://blessedisshe.net/product/here-too-lent-devotional/
A short history of the Friday Fish Fry because we need to be penitential, but a dry, tasteless drive though fish sandwich is a step too far for me:
https://www.chowhound.com/food-news/222854/fish-fry-history-from-the-midwest-to-the-northeast/
Have a indulgent Fat Tuesday and a blessed start to your lent!
