Lent 2022

Pope Francis calls for Ash Wednesday to be Day of Fasting for Peace

During a General Audience address on 23 February last, Pope Francis invited everyone to make Ash Wednesday, next week, a Day of Fasting for Peace in Ukraine.

Appeal

My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.

And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make the 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.

The Office for Mission and Ministry

Lenten Initiative

The Office for Mission and Ministry are offering daily reflections for the Lenten Journey. With parishes holding their Synod gatherings during Lent, we will be focusing on themes around journeying, walking with, listening to each other and the Spirit. The reflections will be posted each morning on the Facebook page of the office for Mission and Ministry. www.facebook.com/officeformissionandministry

Lenten Resources from the Office of Mission and Ministry

Ash Wednesday Resource (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

Lenten Reflection for International Women’s Day (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

Journeying with God – A Lenten way of praying (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

Click to Download the PowerPoint: Final Journeying with the Lord

Reconciliation Service – The Synodal Pathway (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

Click to Download the PowerPoint: Reconciliation Service Lent 2022

Lenten Liturgy of the Word Resources (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

The Annunciation (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

Click to download the PowerPoint: Annunciation

From Fear to Hope (Click on the image below to view the PDF)

(‘From Fear to Hope’ recording of live service Monday 28 March 2022 from the Monastery of St. Alphonsus, with the Full Time Chaplaincy Students of DCU and the Dublin Diocesan Music Group available at www.rednuns.com under recordings)

Trócaire Lenten Campaign

Food Shortage and Scarcity – Courage, Hope and Strength Needed

This Lent, we hear about how communities who were already facing huge challenges due to drought and food shortages, caused by climate change, were further impacted by Covid-19. This is seen in how Covid-19 impacted people’s livelihoods and access to education and food security. We here in Ireland are also very familiar with the impact of Covid-19. We will learn more about the impact of the pandemic through the story of Thandekile and her two children, Nomatter and Forward, who live in Zimbabwe.

Trócaire are hosting a series of workshops during Lent 2022 and you can find out more and sign up here.