Lent...
a time to go into the desert with the Lord
Lent is a season of penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, lasting for 40 days, leading up to Easter. The purpose of Lent is to prepare us spiritually for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. It is seen as a time for repentance, reflection, and renewal of faith.
How to Enter into Lent:
- Attend Mass on Ash Wednesday: The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (5 March 2025), when we attend Mass or an ecumenical liturgy and receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance. The ashes are typically made from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and the priest says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return". This marks the beginning of the Lenten journey.
- Commit to Fasting and Abstinence: Consider what sacrifices you can make during Lent. Fasting is traditionally done on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and all Fridays in Lent, but many choose to give up certain foods, habits, or distractions during the entire season as a form of self-denial. Bishop Michael invites you to join others in the diocese in the Exodus40 and Fiat40 programmes this Lent - more details below.
- Deepen Your Prayer Life: Find ways to engage more intentionally in prayer during Lent. You might take up daily Scripture readings, the Rosary, or other devotions like the Stations of the Cross. You can also join in parish prayer groups or attend additional Masses during the season. Lent invites us to examine our lives and our relationship with God. You might choose to journal your thoughts, set spiritual goals, and meditate on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There are resources and programmes below that may assist you enter deeper into prayer this Lent.
- Give to Charity: Look for opportunities to practice almsgiving by donating to the poor, volunteering, or helping those in need.
- Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Lent is an ideal time to confess your sins and seek absolution through the sacrament of Reconciliation. Our parishes offer additional times for confession during Lent to prepare your heart for Easter.
By engaging in these practices, you enter into the spirit of Lent as a time for renewal, penance, and spiritual growth. The goal is not just to give up something but to grow closer to God and transform your heart during the 40 days leading up to Easter.
Lent is an ideal time to explore and grow in faith. If you are not Catholic and are exploring your faith during this time of Lent, we invite you to find out more about our faith, reach out to a local parish or make contact with pastoral team member Alex Chia about the OCIA process.
Exodus 40 Men's Lenten Challenge
Bishop Michael is inviting the men of the Diocese to join him as he journeys through the Exodus program this coming Lent. Exodus 40 is a variation of the Exodus 90 Challenge.
Exodus is a journey through the Book of Exodus, learning about the similarities we share with the ancient Israelites – and finding the path to freedom from the ‘modern pharaohs’ holding us back from true unity with God.
Fiat40 Women's Lenten Programme
The Diocese of Christchurch invites all women to join a Fiat 40 group this Lent. Fiat40 invites women who are seeking to grow closer to Christ by embracing the virtues of Mary - faith, humility and devotion.
Inspired by Mary’s fiat - her whole hearted “YES” to God, this programme combines daily prayer and intentional lifestyle sacrifices to create space for God’s grace and deeper spiritual growth.
Other Lenten Programmes and Resources
Go Make Disciples - Archdiocese of Sydney
Formed
Brisbane Archdiocesan Ministries
St Paul Center
Food for Faith
Caritas Lenten Programme
Bishop Robert Barron
Metanoia - Diocese of Wollongong
Hallow APP
