Recommended resources
Adults & Older YouthThis year we're continuing our journey on the Way of Love. We have 3 recommendations that you can use for Lent
Personal Reading Living the Way of Love, A 40-Day Devotional, written by Mary Bea Sullivan. Use this as individual prayer and reflection, or gather a group and use the free Facilitator's Guide, available here. Adult Forum Life Transformed – The Way of Love in Lent. This (free downloadable) set of seven Adult Forums ties the Easter Vigil readings to the seven practices of the Way of Love. Quiet Days Life Transformed – The Way of Love in Lent. This (free downloadable) curriculum is suitable for use at a day-long retreat, this curriculum condenses and adapts the seven-session curriculum above into four 75-minute blocks. For additional resources, please visit our Way of Love dedicated page. |
Children & FamiliesIllustrated Children's Ministry has been released! You'll find Sunday bulletins, weekly coloring pages, special pieces for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, along with family resources.
To find all the Illustrated Children's Ministry resources, please click here (note that you will need to create a log in and password to be able to access these, if you haven't already). |
Crafts, Activities, and more information for ALL AGES on the Formation Journey website
What is Lent?
Lent comes from the AngloSaxon word lencten referring to the lengthening of days in springtime. It is observed in the spring as a time to prepare for rebirth. The season was first named and observed in the fourth century as a period of discipline and fasting for people preparing to be baptized on Easter. Over time, it has grown into a season of penitence and fasting in making ready the observation of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the fortieth weekday before Easter. Lent is a period of special fasting and preparation, and especially a time of discipline and preparation for those who will be baptized at Easter.
As Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting, praying and being tempted by Satan, so we follow him in a period of discipline and prayer. The passage for the First Sunday in Lent is always—and always has been—the account of Jesus’ temptations. This reading sets the theme and the length of the season.
The Book of Common Prayer asks us on Ash Wednesday to observe “a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (p. 265).
Lent is, then, a season of penitence, but not only that. It is also a time to “prepare with joy for the Paschal feast” (BCP, p. 379, the Catechism). It is a time of preparation for Jesus’ death, but above all it is a time of anticipation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our own redemption through that saving act.
The liturgical color of Lent is a deep purple, the traditional color of penitence.
(from Weaving God's Promises)
As Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting, praying and being tempted by Satan, so we follow him in a period of discipline and prayer. The passage for the First Sunday in Lent is always—and always has been—the account of Jesus’ temptations. This reading sets the theme and the length of the season.
The Book of Common Prayer asks us on Ash Wednesday to observe “a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance, by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (p. 265).
Lent is, then, a season of penitence, but not only that. It is also a time to “prepare with joy for the Paschal feast” (BCP, p. 379, the Catechism). It is a time of preparation for Jesus’ death, but above all it is a time of anticipation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our own redemption through that saving act.
The liturgical color of Lent is a deep purple, the traditional color of penitence.
(from Weaving God's Promises)
Printable Resources and Activities
Stations of the Cross
Download a printable book for youth (from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services)
Links for children and families
From Building Faith (Episcopal)
From Catholic Icing (RC)
Download a printable book for youth (from the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services)
Links for children and families
From Building Faith (Episcopal)
From Catholic Icing (RC)
Online Resources
Downloadable and Sites with Links
Lent Madness - Which saint will win the Golden Halo this year - learn about the saints and vote for your favorite
Episcopal Relief and Development - 2019 Lenten Meditation book (available in English and Spanish)
Forward Movement - has a many options (along with a quiz to see which resource is best for you this year)
Episcopal Church Vital Practices - has links to a number of sites
Streaming and Podcasts
D365 - A daily devotional site with many Episcopal authors. Our primary goal then, and since, has been to provide inspirational and relevant reflections on scripture for young people.
Pray as You Go - Daily Prayer and Meditations
Lent Madness - Which saint will win the Golden Halo this year - learn about the saints and vote for your favorite
Episcopal Relief and Development - 2019 Lenten Meditation book (available in English and Spanish)
Forward Movement - has a many options (along with a quiz to see which resource is best for you this year)
Episcopal Church Vital Practices - has links to a number of sites
Streaming and Podcasts
D365 - A daily devotional site with many Episcopal authors. Our primary goal then, and since, has been to provide inspirational and relevant reflections on scripture for young people.
Pray as You Go - Daily Prayer and Meditations
Education and Formation Resources for Episcopalians
The Episcopal Church has welcomed me.
I hope it will welcome you too!