Lent Possibilities
It is a temptation to say that this will be a Lent like no other, starting in our third national lockdown and hopefully concluding with a public celebration of the Sacred Triduum. In this time, the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis will be supporting parishes and small groups with a string of resources for reflection and meditation. Here is a list of these resources and when you can expect their publication on our website and promotion via social media.
Agency Lent Resource Schedule (release dates)
8 February - Living Lent Well: How To Prepare For Lent
15 February - Lent Week 1
22 February - Lent Week 2
1 March - Lent Week 3
8 March - Lent Week 4
15 March - Lent Week 5
22 March - Palm Sunday
Each of the days of Holy Week (29 March to 2 April) we will publish a Scriptural reflection on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
On 31 March we will upload resources helping families with children pray the Stations of the Cross at home, these will also be helpful for those in schools.
An Eastertide resource will also be published on 6 April
Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land
Facing the pain of a closed church during Lent and Easter 2020, when Covid restrictions put pay to any corporate celebrations, Fr Richard Nesbitt of Our Lady of Fatima church in White City, penned poems through the eyes of those who experienced Christ’s Passion, death and Resurrection. These 15 poems take the reader from Bethany to Jerusalem and Emmaus, and are written from the perspective of key players in the Holy Week drama from Judas to Pontius Pilate and Mary Magdalene.
With forewords by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop Justin Welby Holy Week Voices from the Holy Land juxtaposes immersive poetry with Scripture, prayers, and reflections from Christians living in crisis in the Holy Land in a new prayer resource. It can be used by individuals and small groups whether online or in-person. The Agency is delighted to have supported this project, through to publication, over recent weeks.
All funds from the book, which costs £7.99, will go to Friends of the Holy Land. Orders via their website by phone on 01926 512980 or by email at office@friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Spirituality Commission Lenten Retreat - Follow Me
In addition to the daily email reflections, this year, the Spirituality Commission of the Archdiocese of Southwark is offering a Lenten retreat. As part of the retreat, participants will receive:
A welcome email a week before the start – explaining the structure of the retreat and how to prepare
A weekly email starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on the Wednesday of Holy Week with a link to the video input and some prayer materials
During each week of Lent, Archbishop John will introduce the video, the Sunday Gospel will be read and then follows a brief talk exploring themes connected with the Gospel. The input can be viewed at any time to suit you. The talk will be accompanied by suggestions for prayer and reflection through the week. You can sign up via the link below.