Are You Spiritually Prepared for Lent? Ash Wednesday is February 6.

“Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return”

- Book of Genesis 3:19

“Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.” The traditional rite of the imposition of ashes, repeated today, is always very eloquent and the words that accompany it are very indicative. In its simplicity, it evokes the transience of earthly life: Everything passes and is destined to die. We are sojourners in this world. Sojourners who must not forget their true and final end: heaven. If, in fact, we are dust and destined to become dust, this, however, does not put an end to everything. Man, created in the image and likeness of God, is for eternal life. Jesus, dying on the cross, has unlocked the access to it for every human being.

The entire liturgy of Ash Wednesday helps us to focus on this fundamental truth of faith, and stimulates us to undertake a decisive journey of personal renewal. We must change our way of thinking and acting, fixing our eyes on the face of the crucified Christ and making his Gospel our daily rule of life. “Be converted and believe in the Gospel”: May this be our Lenten program, while we enter an atmosphere of prayerful listening to the Spirit.”

- Pope John Paul II – General Audience. Vatican City. Ash Wednesday - February 28, 2001

Day By Day Through Lent: Reflections, Prayers, Practices Author: Fr. Daneil Lowery	Journey To Easter: Spiritual Reflections for the Lenten Season Author: Pope Benedict XVI
The Magnificat Lenten Companion, Lent 2008 Author: Magnificat Magazine	Lent and Easter Wisdom from G. K. Chesterton Author: G. K. Chesterton
Fire In The Cloud: Lenten Meditations Author: Fr. Francis Martin	Season of Mercy: Lent and Easter with Catherine Doherty Author: Catherine Doherty
The Essential Lenten Handbook: A Daily Companion Author: The Redemptorists	A Family Journey With Jesus Through Lent: Prayers and Activities for Each Day Author: Angela Burrin

To browse the complete selection of items in our Lenten Specialty Store, please click here

To browse our complete selection of crosses and crucifixes, please click here

To browse our complete selection of beautiful Catholic art, please click here

“The seasons and days of penance in the course of the liturgical year (Lent, and each Friday in memory of the death of the Lord) are intense moments of the Church’s penitential practice. These times are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and fraternal sharing (charitable and missionary works). ”

- Catechism of the Catholic Church 1438

“Fasting and Penance were used by the ancients to express contrition, and to assist them in controlling their natural urges. This message of humble self-abnegation runs counter to our culture’s emphasis on satisfying any and every desire we might feel. The Church’s penitential traditions are intended to help us become more conscious of – and more contrite about – our sins, as well as help us conquer our impulses and desires as the holy ones did in ancient times. ”

–Gregory Oatis “Catholic Doctrine in Scripture”

Calendars and other items for the New Year:

2008 Mary and the Saints Calendar	Icons: Windows to Heaven 2008 Calendar
St. Joseph Sunday Missal And Hymnal For 2008	Abide In My Word 2008; Mass Readings at Your Fingertips

Please click here to browse our complete selection of calendars.

Prayer Before a Crucifix - a traditional Lenten prayer

BEHOLD, O good and sweetest Jesus,I cast myself upon my knees in Thy sight,and with the most fervent desire of my soulI pray and beseech Thee

to impress upon my heart

lively sentiments of faith,

hope and charity,

with true repentance for my sins

and a most firm desire of amendment:

whilst with deep affection and grief of soul

I consider within myself

and mentally contemplate Thy five most precious Wounds,

having before mine eyes that which David, the prophet,

long ago spoke in Thine own person concerning Thee,

my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet,

they have numbered all My bones.”

Amen.

We wish you a blessed season of Lent.

Tags: ash wednesday, lent

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 at 10:37 pm and is filed under General Catholic Ramblings. Posted by Ian.
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