At St. Malachi, we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent with a procession to the cross, asking our brothers & sisters, the saints, to intercede for us and be with us on our Lenten journey. We each take a nail cross from the large cross at the front of the sanctuary and keep it with us as we pray, fast, serve others and learn to follow Christ more fully. This practice reminds us that our own sufferings are one with His as we return the nail on Good Friday, uniting ourselves to the redeeming cross.
St. Malachi Lenten Prayer
This year, we distributed prayer cards at the doors of the church for your use. The nail crosses were distributed in individually wrapped plastic bags along with a prayer card. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, we invite you to download the Online Prayer Card and print a copy to pray at home with your family. This prayer will also be featured during our Livestream services, during communion, for those joining us online.
Download the 2021 Lenten Prayer Card
Download the Lenten Creation Care Calendar- St Patrick Parish
Download Weekly Lenten Reflections
A New Kind of Fast:
This was shared in our bulletin and we share it here as a “new kind of fast” for Lent:
In the words of Pope Francis:
• Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
• Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
• Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
• Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
• Fast from worries and have trust in God.
• Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
• Fast from pressure and be prayerful.
• Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.
• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
• Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
• Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
