LentenSpiritualDevotions - St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church

The Season of Lent: The Great Fast

Below are a few spiritual practices from East and West to help make your Lent more prayerful and meaningful. Remember the threefold practices of Lenten piety and preparation:

fasting/abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving.

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For a good history of the season and its changing practices during the centuries visit the following:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09152a.htm

Other very good resource pages on Lenten practices and reflection can be found at:

http://www.spirithome.com/lent.html

http://fullhomelydivinity.org/articles/Preparing%20for%20Lent.htm

Lenten Spirituality from the East

Prayer of St. Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life,
Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement,
of lust for power,
and of vain speaking.

But bestow upon me, Thy servant,
the spirit of chastity,
of meekness,
of patience,
and of love.

Yea, O Lord and King,
grant that I may perceive
my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother or sister,
for blessed art Thou
forever and ever.
Amen.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner (3 times)

Lenten Spirituality from the West

Prayer before Jesus Crucified

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Your face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Your five wounds, pondering over them within me, and calling to mind the words which, long ago, David the prophet spoke in Your own person concerning You, my Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet; they have numbered all My bones."

We adore and praise you, O Lord,
for by your cross you have redeemed the world.

+ Stations of the Cross +

Visit the following link to pray the Stations of the Cross:

http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/stations.html