We have collated a variety of resources to enable you to take part in further online learning and reflection throughout the Lent season. Although much of the material we will be putting before you will be internet based we want to appeal to families and friends to reach out to those who would like to access the material but are unable to use the internet . Please think about what you can do to help.
As we step further into the diocesan Year of the Eucharist, we do so within the Participation element of the Synod journey Pope Francis has invited us to walk in pilgrimage. Lent is the holy season when our heavenly Father invites us to return to him with all our heart; an opportunity to seek healing and to know the transforming mercy of God. We walk these forty Lent days with Jesus, the Son; a pilgrimage of grace in which we look to Him for new direction, for healing and for hope. Our participation in His way of the cross is one which is walked in weakness and need, and paced by the patient love he shows us on the road.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 2 March. The Vicariate for Faith and Mission has produced the first part of its booklet of reflections for the season which can be found below “Last year’s Lenten booklet was very well received. The past couple of years have probably felt like a very long Lent to many people, so now is a very appropriate liturgical season to express and engage fully with our tribulations. As Christians, we have a hope that shines at the end of every rough road, and we trust that this year’s booklet will foster prayerful reflection on the Scriptures’ relevance to our daily Christian living as we look forward to Easter. The reflections have been contributed by a mix of clergy, religious and lay people to express the richness and variety of our diocesan community.” ~ from the Vicariate Team
Further Resources are available here: https://diocesehn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Lenten-Reflections-Booklet-Part-1-2022-FINAL.pdf
Reflecting With Paintings
Join Fr Denis McBride’s Lent Retreat 2022 – Starting Sunday 6th March
Experience an unforgettable journey with Fr Denis, as he leads us through his book, Journeying with Jesus, a companions guide for a 6 week course. Each session with Fr Denis will be left on this web page so you can view at your leisure.
THE FIRST VIDEO WILL BE AVAILABLE ON WEDNESDAY 6TH March: https://www.rpbooks.co.uk/retreat-with-fr-denis-2022
In my book Journeying with Jesus:A Companion’s Guide I followed seven stations of Jesus’ journey beginning in the wilderness and ending in the empty tomb. For the Lenten retreat we shall journey with Jesus from the wilderness to the cross. The planned journey for the six weeks is as follows:
1) In the wilderness
2) At the well
3) On the mountain
4) Along the road
5) At table
6) On the cross
I am hoping to make a crossover into people’s lives, and that the issues that Jesus faced in these places might, in some way, speak to the challenges we face in our own lives. It might be interesting for you to think of which six stations would stand out in your own journey:which places in particular have helped to define who you are today. I hope that you can carve out some personal time for yourself and think about Jesus’ journey and your own. The goal of the Lenten retreat is to promote a conversation between Jesus’ story and your own. Although you don’t need the book to follow the retreat, it will prove very useful to have alongside you as a full resource.
I look forward to welcoming to my Lent Retreat 2022,
God Bless
Denis McBride, C.Ss.R
A Retreat for Lent
Begins on Ash Wednesday March 2nd 2022
Be inspired by the struggles of Ignatius who found God in sickness and then changed his life’s direction from fighting wars to introducing other to Christ. Join us for our new retreat to celebrate 500 years of the conversion of St Ignatius Loyola.
Daily – Music, Pictures, Scripture and the story of Ignatius of Loyola.
Retreats in a group or individually. Sign up for being part of a group with the link below:
Daily readings/reflections and music are available here: https://www.onlineprayer.net/ignatius/
An Ignation Prayer Adventure
Pray with Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ, in our Living Lent Daily series for 2022. Inspired by Fr. Tetlow’s new book of prayers, You Have Called Me by My Name, we’ll explore the Examen and direct our attention to Jesus’ experience of the Passion. This is a wonderful way to experience Lent during this Ignatian Year.
The daily messages include suggestions for further exploration of Lenten themes through additional online articles and prayers. Take time each day for Living Lent Daily, and prepare your heart for a new appreciation of the journey to Easter. Sign up to receive the daily messages via e-mail from Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, through Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. The messages will come from the Year in Our Church from Loyola Press.
Stations of the Cross: Then and Now
The way of the cross is not confined to a lonely road in Jerusalem two thousand years ago:it is a busy highway winding through every village, town and city in our modern world. Fr Denis McBride C.Ss.R. reflectively guides us along the way of the cross. He contrasts the beauty and solemn simplicity of the more traditional Stations by artist Curd Lessig with modern images that challenge us to link Jesus’ story to the struggle of our everyday life. Through its rich array of scripture passages, paintings, poetry, prayers, photographs and reflections, The Stations of the Cross – then and now becomes a companion not only on our Lenten journey but throughout the year: suffering is not limited to one liturgical season. Whether we walk in solitude or with others, this book translates the passion of Jesus into our own life and times.