Alliance for Catholic Education
Dear Friends,
Beginning today, and continuing each Sunday through Easter, the Alliance for Catholic Education and the Institute for Educational Initiatives invite you into a space of reflective repentance, conversion, and renewal on our Lenten journey.
With the seven days of creation and the ancient Judaic symbolism of seven for completion as our guide, we offer you these prayers as we journey towards ever-greater completion during Lent.
In this Jubilee year, may we embrace Pope Francis' Message:
"Let us journey together in hope".
May these prayers offer you moments to pause and reflect on the realization that we are all pilgrims in this life; each of us is invited to stop and ask how our lives reflect this fact—understanding we are not lone travelers. Rather, we journey together, grounded in our common dignity as children of God.
May God continue to bless you, your communities, and your families in this holy season of Lent.
~ The Alliance for Catholic Education and the Institute for Educational Initiatives
Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, March 5th
Lord, as we begin our Lenten journey on this Ash Wednesday, we begin with the end in mind: our ability to reach perfection in heaven because of Your suffering, death, and Resurrection. During these 40 days, we turn to another story of perfection - the Genesis account of Your creation of the universe in seven days.
In these early days of Lent, may we meditate on Your creation of light on the first day. The light that You created, loving God, at the beginning of the universe has never been put out. Even amidst the many challenges of His life, the light of Christ could not be extinguished. Even amidst the many challenges in our world, may Christ’s light within us, too, never be extinguished.
When our light feels dim, gift us with eyes to see Your light in those that we encounter each day. And for those who walk in darkness, help us to be a beacon of Your light through our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving this Lenten season.
We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.