Lenten Message

Lent is fast approaching and for some of our Catholic families, Lenten traditions might be quite familiar, but for many of our students this might be their first Lent in a Catholic school. Lent is a season of quiet growth, where these traditions can help students grow their faith and live a more Christ-filled life. Hopefully we can use these traditions to Reflect, Act, and Remember during this time as we prepare for the coming of Easter.

A few of these traditions are:

1. Prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. Prayer should arise from the heart. "Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day," remarked St. Francis de Sales, "except when we are busy—then we need an hour." (Reflect)

2. Fasting and Charitable Works: Fasting can be an important part of Lent, but for some this can also be quite hard. When we give something up, we can make room for another person. One way Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice is by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services in order to help those who do not have enough to eat. (Act)

3. The Stations of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. Many of us bear our own cross everyday and we can use this Lenten season as a time to remember the sufferings Jesus went through before being laid to rest in the tomb. (Remember)

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It's a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter. Here at St. Maria Goretti Catholic High School we welcome all students and families to embrace these upcoming 40 days with an open heart, mind, and spirit as we try to strengthen our relationships with the Catholic faith and live a Christ-filled life.

In His service,

The Leadership Team