Resources for Lent and Easter 2019
To help each one of us prepare for the Season of Lent (6 March - 18 April 2019) and following past practice, we have compiled our list of new-for-2019- free- online resources for your reading, listening, viewing, praying and reflection.
The resources listed here are not intended to be a comprehensive listing, so if you think we are missing any excellent new and free resources, please let us know.
As further resources are added to the listing over the next few weeks, they will be identified with a 'new' icon.
Messages to: the Editor
Lent and the SDGs from the Claretian Network
Seven Weeks for Water from the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Weekly theological reflections and other resources on water for the seven weeks of Lent and for World Water Day on 22 March (which always falls during the Lenten period).
-Pope Francis' Message for Lent with its focus on the renewal of all creation:
‘‘May our Lent this year be a journey … bringing the hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be “set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain!’
Daily Lenten Reflections from National Catholic Reporter
“Planting Seeds of Action” is a Lent blog series from the Institute of the Americas to introduce readers to the many sustainable efforts throughout the Institute and to invite readers to make simple sustainable changes in their own lives.
The series will start on Friday, 8 March and be linked here.
Put Your Mercy On! prepared by the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community.
This beautifully crafted Lenten booklet offers a way of both building and being bridges of shared understanding, forgiveness, reconciliation and inclusion through the Mercy lens of its multiple authors.
Included with permission of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community
Walking Together with Jesus Lenten Retreat from Jesuits in Britain.
Materials, including scripture passages, reflection and ways to pray with scripture, can be accessed here.
Eating Simply from the Global Catholic Climate Movement
Add a day of plant-based meals to your diet this Lent, or strive to eat only plant-based meals throughout the Lenten season.
Details are on their website here
LOAF for Lent inspired and promoted by the Green Christian movement
In our dealings with food we are encouraged to think LOAF, that is: Local, Organic, Animal Friendly, Fair trade.
The intention is not only to be reflective but to be practical; hopefully throughout this Lent to not simply think LOAF but live LOAF.
Living Lent from The Joint Public Issues Team
Living Lent is about recognising that changing our climate is not just an activity, but a lifestyle.
You can click the 'What could I do' drop down menu to find out about each of the 6 actions (one per week).
Optional: you can join the group but need to provide your email address.
Find out more here
spirituality.of.soil.lent.2019 by Terri McKenzie SHCJ. A Lenten Journey from Cosmic Dust to Easter Garden
This resource is intended to help individuals and groups deepen their appreciation of the precious and sacred gifts of fertile dirt, seeds, crops; trees, current threats to them; and how we can respond in faith. It includes suggestions for music and media.
Download the resource here
Lent Study Guide: Living fruitfully from Embrace
A six session study guide focussed on tavckling poverty and injustice in the Middle East
The Mystery of God. Lent Course 2019 from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI)
'In 2019, our Lent course delves more deeply into the mystery of God, seeking to rediscover what it is that draws us so deeply in our search for God. We will follow Jesus through the Lenten readings, allowing him to draw us, in love and wonder, into the mystery of God’s plan of salvation.'
In each week of the resources there are different sections, colour coded so that you can choose which parts of the resource to use, depending on what you and/or your group like to do:
- Yellow sections are conversation starters and things to think about
- Blue sections involve prayer and engagement with Scripture
- Green sections offer something to do – like watch a piece of video and talk about it
- Pink sections involve theological reflection and an invitation to deepen and develop your devotional practice
Lenten Reflections 2019 from the Uniting Church in Australia
From Ash Wednesday to Easter each day you will find a fresh thought and invitation for reflection, as well as an activity for your household at the end of each week.
40 Days; 40 ways: A Guide to a Green Lent by Dianne Scheper
The guide is designed to provide a green environmental context for you to consider this Lent. Despite its title, “40 Days; 40 Ways” is not fashioned as a daily devotional. Dianne describes it as "a range of suggestions for merging your Lenten disciplinary spirit with creation-centered activities."
Resources for your Lenten Journey from Loyola Press
A broad range of offerings can be accessed here
For Schools
Holy Week
Audio Stations of the Cross by Jesuits of Britain
Way of the Cross
Development and Peace-Caritas Canada invites us this year to share the journey of the millions of children, women and men who are forced to flee their homes.
A printed version and a powerpoint version are available.
Download these here
Scriptural Stations of the Cross by David Stewart sj.
These can be downloaded and printed
Related resources in audio and video formats, previously produced by the Jesuits, can be accessed here.
Devotions, 3-Minute retreats and Activities from Loyola Press can be accessed here
Easter
Resources will be posted here as they are discovered
From CHAUSA (Catholic Health Association of the United States)
For use on Easter, Sunday, April 21, and in the week that follows:
- A Reflection on Easter (.doc) (.pdf)
- Video Reflection MP4 file
- Watch the Video on YouTube