Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
– JOEL 2:12-13
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.
Beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending with sunset on Holy Thursday, Lent is a time for deeper reflection, and surrender to God through greater prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As we prepare for the celebration of Holy Week, culminating with Easter Sunday, we renew our connection to Christ’s baptism, death, and resurrection.
Whether you are looking for ways to get the most out of this Lenten season or have been away from the Church for a while: Welcome!
Lenten Resources
Explore these resources and useful links to help you prepare during this Lenten Season:
- Lenten Guidelines from the Archdiocese of New York
- USCCB Lenten Resource Center
- Lenten Reflections from Bishop Robert Barron
- Ten Things to Remember About Lent from Bishop David L. Ricken
- Spiritual Communion Prayer
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross, also known as the Way of the Cross or Via Crucis, commemorate Jesus’s passion and death on the cross. There are 14 stations that each depict a moment on his journey to Calvary, usually through sacred art, prayers, and reflections. The practice began as pious pilgrims traced his path through Jerusalem on the Via Dolorosa.
– USCCB
Follow along with Cardinal Dolan as he leads us through the fourteen steps of the Stations of the Cross in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Additional Stations of the Cross Resources
- A Scriptural Way of the Cross for Lent (English)
- Cuaresma: Una Vía Crucis bíblica (Espanõl)
- Audio Stations of the Cross (English)
- USCCB Stations of the Cross Resource Page
Preparing for Easter
“Lent, then, is a season of grace when we can rebuild our relationship with God and with others, opening our hearts in the silence of prayer and emerging from the fortress of our self-sufficiency.”
– Pope Francis
Lent is a great time to engage with the Sacrament of Confession. If you’re not sure where to go, you can visit our Parish Finder to find a church near you. If it has been a while since your last confession, remember, you are not alone. The priest will help guide you. In addition, we have gathered the resources below to help you prepare.
Reconciliation Monday
Confession will be offered in all Parishes throughout the entire Archdiocese of New York, Diocese of Brooklyn, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Monday, April 14, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in preparation for Easter.
Examining Your Conscience
“Three conditions are necessary for Penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission; and satisfaction by means of good works.”
– St. Thomas Aquinas
- Archdiocese of New York Priest Council: Examination of Conscience & Making a Good Confession
- USCCB: Examinations Of Conscience
- National Catholic Register: Confession Guide for Adults & Confession Guide for Children
- Knights of Columbus: A Guide to Confession
Acts of Contrition
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In His Name, my God,
have mercy.
Amen.
Lord
Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
have mercy
on me,
a sinner.
O my God,
I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins
because of Thy just punishments,
but most of all
because they offend Thee, my God,
Who art all-good
and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace,
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
The stone which the builders rejected
– PSALMS 118:22
has become the cornerstone.