Catholic Faith Formation Resources

One of the prayer practices ordinarily offered throughout Lent is the Stations of the Cross, usually prayed together with others in your faith community. As Jesus said, he is in our midst where two or more are gathered in his name (Matt. 18:20). Following the Opening Prayer, you will find an article with links to videos, music, and other resources pertaining to praying the Stations of the Cross. OPENING PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, fill our hearts with the light of your Spirit, so that by following you on your final journey we may come to know the price of our Redemption and become worthy of a share in the fruits of your Passion, Death and Resurrection. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen. Source: Opening Prayer of Pope John Paul II, while leading the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Good Friday, 2000 "STATIONS OF THE CROSS" "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." (Lk 23:34) The "Stations of the Cross...

During Lent, we are called to the spiritual practices of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. During this Lenten Season we will be offering a variety of prayer practices. You may not experience an affinity with all of these practices. Nevertheless, they are practices found helpful and followed by many different people of faith. Let us begin with an Opening Prayer: Lord, I am yours, and I must belong to no one but you. My soul is yours, and must live only by you. My will is yours, and must love only for you. I must love you as my first cause, since I am from you. I must love you as my end and rest, since I am for you. I must love you more than my own being, since my being subsists by you. I must love you more than myself, since I am all yours and all in you. Amen. St. Francis de Sales Underlying all of these spiritual practices is prayer. Prayer is a lifelong and ongoing journey between God and you. Prayer helps us to grow in meaningful relationships with God, lead...

Today is "Ash Wednesday" that marks the beginning of the Lenten Season that ends on Holy Thursday, March 28, when the Easter Triduum begins, culminating with the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday, March 31. During Lent, besides the practices of prayer and almsgiving, we are also asked to practice the discipline of self-control through fasting. Many persons choose to "give up" certain foods, beverages, or other material things. But Lent can also be a time to fast from and to feast on thoughts, words, practices, and actions that can help us, with the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to deepen our relationships with God, with others, with ourselves, and with our world. In that regard, we invite you to pray and reflect on the following "Litany of Fasting and Feasting": Follows are some videos, music, articles, and other resources that may help you in better understanding, participating, and reflecting on Ash Wedne...

Who or what people, things, or ideas are most important to you? That which you perceive as being most important to you will ordinarily guide your thoughts, decisions, behavior, and actions, your life. We are all governed by some core or guiding principles, worldviews, or values. They may arise from our earlier experiences with our parents or significant others, our peers, groups to which we belong, our education and training, philosophy, religion, or other life experiences. They will most likely change as you mature physically, cognitively, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually over time. You may not be even consciously aware of them, but they can still influence the frame or story through which you view and live your life. Moreover, the personal values you adopt and follow—whether desirable or undesirable—also affect your character, self-identity, and who you become. This is especially so if your desirable values become virtues—the habitual disposition to do the good—...

RESOURCES FOR PREPARING FOR AND PARTICIPATING IN THE SEASON OF LENT AND EASTER SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2024 "Then the disciples of John approached [Jesus] and said, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast’” (Mt 9:14-15). What are you doing to prepare for and to participate in Lent? The Season of Lent is the forty-day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024 and ends at sunset on Holy Thursday, March 28, when the Easter Triduum begins, culminating on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 when we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. As the U.S. Bishops explain, During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service...