Lent: Encounter

Lent 2024 starts on Ash Wednesday, February 14, and lasts until the beginning of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. Join us we reflect on the Word of God and pray that our hearts may be open to encounter Jesus in all the ways he comes to us: in word, in sacrament and in all his people.

Encounter Jesus this Lent

Watch Archbishop Etienne's brief video on ways to encounter the Lord this Lent.  After watching the video, scroll down to find weekly Lenten reflections, resources and inspirational articles.  For Spanish, click the cc button and choose Espanol.

For Bishop Elizondo's Lent video in Spanish, click here.

Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines

In addition to fasting from food, there are other ways to fast that can help us renew our faith in Jesus, like time on our screens and social media.  The point is to use whatever we give up as an opportunity to offer it to Jesus and grow closer to him.

What's that dirt on your head?  Why can't you eat pepperoni pizza on Fridays?  Click here for six common questions Catholics hear during Lent and some answers to have ready.

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Need a Lent refresher?  The USCCB does a good overview of Lent here.  Check out Bishop Schuster's "Why Ash Wednesday?" column at Northwest Catholic. Or you may want to check out this Lent 101 article.

Weekly Lenten Reflections

Check back every week for a new Lenten reflection, with prayer, a reading and reflection questions.

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All the weekly reflections can be found in the Small Group Reflection Guide in English and Spanish.

Resources

Lent calls us to conversion through the three pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Below are resources and inspiration to help.

Small Group Reflection Guide

The Archdiocese of Seattle created a five-week small group reflection guide, Encounter, which includes Scripture readings, prayer and reflections.  Use this for your family or faith group

Reflection Guide in English 

Reflection Guide in Spanish

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From Northwest Catholic

Looking for some inspiration or are you finding yourself losing momentum or motivation this Lent?  Here is some encouragement from Northwest Catholic to help.

Advice for a holy Lent

Northwest Catholic compiled advice for a holy Lent from readers over the years to inspire you this season.  Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

Six tips for prayer, fasting and almsgiving in the digital age

Read these useful and relevant tips on ways you can observe Lent in the digital age. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

How to make a good confession

Lent is the perfect time to reconcile yourself with God and the church. Read this brief how to on confession.  Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

6 Lent-worthy movies with conversion tales

Five classic movies and one contemporary production about conversion this Lent.  Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

Really praying in Lent

“I wish I could pray better” or “I don’t know how to really pray.”  Read about how prayer is about a relationship with the Lord.   Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

Do we relax our Lenten fasts on Sunday?

Some Catholics think we get a "day off" of our Lenten observances on Sunday, while others don't. The answer? Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

Holding out until the end

We start Lent with resolutions but can be easily discouraged, especially when the culture and daily life continually distract us. Advice on how to hold out until the end.  Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

5 great Lenten books to read

Here are five great reads to help you on your way to grow in your spiritual life this Lent. Click to read article from Northwest Catholic

Liturgies with Archbishop Etienne

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Stations of the Cross

This video features images of the Stations of the Cross from parishes around the Archdiocese of Seattle.  Take a couple minutes to watch and reflect on how as Catholics, we all unite to walk with Jesus through His Passion.

 

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Add Lenten inspiration to your social feed

Follow the Archdiocese of Seattle on Facebook and Instagram by clicking the icons below or looking us up on Facebook and Instagram at @ArchdioceseofSeattle.

What's after Lent? Easter!

Easter Sunday kicks off the Easter Season, which lasts a full 50 days.  Click here for ways to celebrate.