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Lent, Season of

Season of Lent

– Compiled under the direction of Father Johann Roten, S.M.

This index of material included in the All About Mary website, brings together resources that pertain to this season. Additional resources may also be available by using the provided search tools.

The commentary in the Sacramentary of the Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the votive Mass, "Holy Mary, Disciple of the Lord," says about Lent:

Lent is a "journey" for the faithful, during which they "more diligently listen to the word of God and devote themselves to prayer with greater earnestness" (SC 109}, and during which they are ready to bear the cross with greater zeal, so that with minds and hearts renewed they may reach a more worthy celebration of the Easter festival. In this way they show themselves true disciples of Christ, hearing his words and seeking to make them their own (see Luke 8:15), following in his footsteps in self-denial (see Matthew 16:24), and striving to stand by his cross in faithful witness (see John 19:26).

The Blessed Virgin Mary was such a disciple. One of the prefaces in the Marian Mass, "The Commending of the Blessed Virgin Mary," sums up the Marian outlook for Lent:

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

At the foot of the cross of Jesus,
by his solemn and dying wish,
a deep bond of love is fashioned
between the Blessed Virgin Mary
and his faithful disciples:
the Mother of God is entrusted to the disciples
as their own mother,
and they receive her
as a precious inheritance from their Master.

She is to be for ever
the mother of those who believe,
and they will look to her
with great confidence in her unfailing protection.
She loves her Son in loving her children,
and in heeding what she says
they keep the words of their Master.

Through him the angels of heaven
offer their prayer of adoration
as they rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voice be one with theirs
in their triumphant hymn of praise.
(Preface 13)


Lenten Resources

Liturgy

Masses are arranged according to the divisions of the liturgical year. There are five votive Masses for Lent:
Holy Mary, Disciple of the Lord
The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross, I
The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross, II
The Commending of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Reconciliation
See: Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary

These meditations take their orientation from the Sunday liturgies for Lent, from the five votive Masses in honor of Mary for the Lenten season, from Sacred Scripture, and from devotional traditions.... See: Lenten Weekly Meditations

HAP Grieshaber's Polish Way of the Cross accompanied by reflections from Father Johann G. Roten, S.M. See: Polish Way of the Cross


Poetry

See: Lenten Poetry
"Mother of Sorrows," "She Shall Crush Thy Head," "Communion of Reparation (for Our Lady of Sorrows)," "To the Sorrowing and Immaculate Heart," "Lady Most Pitiful," "The Passion," and many more...

Poetry for Passiontide – this poetry section concentrates on the final days of the Lenten season. See: Passion Poetry

Thomas Merton’s, "Evening: Zero Weather" written in 1947. See: Poems by Thomas Merton


Prayer

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary – See: Rosary: How to Pray It

For the season of Lent see a selection of chant, traditional, contemporary, ecumenical, and art songs. See: Music for Lent

Ave Regina Caelorum – Marian Antiphon for the Time After the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and Lent. See: Antiphons


Image shown: The Last Supper, Leonardo da Vinci

All About Mary includes a variety of content, much of which reflects the expertise, interpretations and opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Marian Library or the University of Dayton. Please share feedback or suggestions with marianlibrary@udayton.edu.

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