An Ash Wednesday Prayer
“Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.”
You remind us today, oh Lord, of our origin and end.
In the beginning, You fashioned us in the Garden.
You dignified dust with the Breath of Life.
You made us in Your image and likeness.
You led Your people through the dust of the Sinai wilderness to the Promised Land.
You overcame temptation in the dry desert.
You healed the blind with dirt and clay.
Three times Your body stirred the dust
as you fell on the road to Calvary.
Hear the cry of Your people!
One day we will return to dust.
This Lenten season, stir our minds to contemplate You, our hearts to love You, and our bodies to serve You in our brothers and sisters.
May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving
be Your breath alive in us.
Amen.
Stations of the Cross
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The first Stations of the Cross were walked by Jesus himself on the way to Calvary. Known as the "Via Dolorosa" ("The Way of Suffering") or the "Via Crucis" ("The Way of the Cross"), it was marked out from the earliest times and was a traditional walk for pilgrims who came to Jerusalem. The early Christians in Jerusalem would walk the same pathway that Jesus walked, pausing for reflection and prayer. Later, when Christians could not travel to the Holy Land, artistic depictions of "The Way of the Cross" were set up in churches, or outside and Christians would walk from station to station, reading the Gospel account of the Passion, or simply praying and reflecting on each event. While the content or place of each station had changed, the intention was to make a mini-pilgrimage and follow--literally--in the footsteps of Jesus.
This devotion became better known in the Middle Ages, and the Franciscans are credited with its spread. Lent is a time when many people make the Stations and some churches present Passion plays or Living Stations. But anyone can pray the Stations at any time. It is a simple and personal reflection on the passion of Jesus and what it means to us.
Fasting, Explained
The practice of fasting predates Christianity. The Old Testament is full of examples of righteous men and women mortifying their flesh for the purpose of making atonement or simply to grow closer to God. Jesus himself fasted for forty days and forty nights in preparation for the beginning of his public ministry, and we see his disciples following his example in the Acts of the Apostles.
Fasting continues to be an important part of Christian devotional life today. Many people feel the practice of fasting enhances their prayer and helps them fulfill St. Paul’s advice to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) to grow in the Spirit. Most Catholics will associate fasting with the liturgical season of Lent, which begins and ends with obligatory fasting for all members of the Latin Catholic Church between ages 18 and 59.
Area Events
CRS Rice Bowl
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CRS Rice Bowl brings Catholics across the United States together each Lent to respond to global hunger and poverty through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. During this holy season, let us recommit to sharing bread for life with our global family so that all people can reach their God-given potential. Collection boxes are available to bring home, fill, and return.
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Visit here for more information.
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Times and locations listed.
Help our parishes beautify our altars for this holy time in our church.
Join us for this holy service at the hour of Jesus' death. There will be veneration of the cross.
Times and locations listed.
