“Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2010”
Justice was the central theme of the pontiff’s Lenten message for 2010. Read the text of the message at the Vatican’s website.
Category: Congregations
“Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2011”
Pope Benedict XVI focused on the the traditional themes of fasting, almsgiving and prayer in his Lenten message for 2011. “The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others,” Benedict writes.
“Ashes to Ashes”
Read an essay from ChristianHistory.net on how the early tradition of pre-Lenten repentance developed into our modern practice of Ash Wednesday.
“Fasting has spiritual, physical benefits but also points to good works”
Read “Fasting has spiritual, physical benefits but also points to good works,” a March 2, 2011 Catholic News Service story.
“Churches Find End Is Nigh”
Read a Jan. 25, 2011, story from The Wall Street Journal about how Christians responded to decreased giving and economic hardship during the recession.
“How Evangelicals Give”
Read a Jan. 31, 2011, story from Christianity Today about how Christians are responding to decreased giving to churches.
“Seize the Day: Reimagining Ash Wednesday”
Read a March 3, 2011, column at Patheos.com by a self-described progressive pastor, Bruce Epperly, who plans to go to a spa on Ash Wednesday and focus on enjoying the wonders of the everyday world.
“Lenten sacrifice: Time to give up plastic bags or incandescent bulbs?”
Read a Feb. 25, 2011 Catholic News Service story on an environmental approach to lent.
“Age-old Lent gets a 21st-century makeover”
Read a Feb. 28, 2011, Religion News Service story about new approaches to marking Lent, including reducing greenhouse gases or abstaining from social networking sites like Facebook.