Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2012

“ 'Let us be concerned for each other,
to stir a response in love and good works. (Heb 10:24)

"'Dear Brothers and Sisters,

"The Lenten season offers us once again an opportunity to reflect upon the very heart of Christian life: charity. This is a favourable time to renew our journey of faith, both as individuals and as a community, with the help of the word of God and the sacraments." (Complete text)

Sharing Catholic Heritage During the Lenten Season

in Saint Benedict Church
in Rome (including Station Churches)
in Jerusalem
In the heart and soul of each individual person


Guidelines for Lent and Easter 2012
from Office of Worship, Diocese of Richmond

in Saint Benedict Church

Ash Wednesday 2012

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet never sinned.  (Hebrews 4:15)

Walk the Way of the Cross in Saint Benedict Church

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in Rome:

Station Churches

"From as early as the third century, the Church of Rome observed the season of Lent by journeying each day while singing the litanies of the Saints to a "Station Church" or one of the ancient and prominent churches of Rome. Here the Bishop of Rome, the Holy Father, would lead the people in prayer as they honored the holy martyrs of Rome. The holy relics of the saints are exposed on this day and the Holy Mass is celebrated. It is a pilgrimage of faith, a symbol of unity, and an incentive for us all to adhere more fully to the Gospel." (Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church...Station Churches)

The station churches website contains a Lenten calendar, daily Lenten reflection, and a description with a photo of each of the station churches in Rome.

Additional Information related to Station Churches is on the Catholic Culture website.

The Way of the Cross at the Colosseo

Link to Via Crucis 2010

in Jerusalem:

Via Dolorosa and Two Churches

Click on this link to

Walk the Via Dolorosa in the holy city of Jerusalem

Click on these links to

Experience a 360 Degree Virtual Tour
of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the holy city of Jerusalem

Experience a 360 Debree Virtual Tour
of the Ethiopian Church in the holy city of Jerusalem

In the heart and soul of each individual person:

weblinks to Lenten reflections and meditations

"The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms. The fasting that all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is some effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.

"The key to fruitful observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent but to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ." (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website)

Armor of God from LifeTeen

USCCB Lenten Site with numerous links

Catholic OnLine

Fisheaters Lenten Customs