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. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

—from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, http://www.usccb.org

      >We Invite You to Review the Guidelines about Lenten Fasting and Abstinence:

      1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent.

      2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

      3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed.

      4. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.

      5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer and works of charity and mercy.

      6. As always, the obligation for fasting and abstinence from meat does not apply to those medically dispensed, for example for the pregnant, diabetic, or elderly. 

      St. James will be offering many devotional opportunities during the season of Lent, as well as opportunities for faith formation. For our schedule of events, click on the link below:

      Lent 2025Download

      Resources to Help You Create a Prayerful Lenten Journey

      Lent is dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We pray to grow in our relationship with God. We fast as a reminder that God alone satisfies the deepest desires of our souls. And, we give alms to grow in charity for the less fortunate. The penitential character of this liturgical season prepares us for the celebration of Easter. Our self-denial should extend into all areas of our lives throughout this penitential season; for example, many people choose an extra penance for Lent.

      >Find a Lenten Calendar and a plethora of Lenten resources at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Website: https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent

      >Participate in Eucharistic Adoration at one of the many Holy Hours we will offer at St. James the Apostle during Lent:

      • First Friday Holy Hours, March 7 and April 4, immediately following the 8 A.M. Daily Mass
      • Holy Hour with Night Prayer at 7 P.M. on Thursdays, March 13, 20, (no 27); April 3 and 10

      >Participate in Stations of the Cross offered most Fridays during Lent at 2 P.M. and 7 P.M.

      • Stations will be offered at 2 P.M. on the following Fridays: 3/7, (no 3/14), 3/21, 3/28, (no 4/04), 4/11
      • Stations will be offered at 7 P.M. on the following Fridays: 3/7, 3/14, (no 3/21), 3/28, 4/04 and 4/11

      >Experience God’s Mercy in Reconciliation. Available every Saturday from 3-3:45 P.M. and every Sunday from 10 – 10:45 A.M.

      • In addition, there will be two days in April when priests from the parishes of our deanery will collaborate so that the Sacrament will be offered continuously from 9:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M. They are as follows:
        • April 4th at Divine Mercy Parish, 21W411 Sunset Ave, Lombard, IL 60148. In particular, Fr. Keith will be there from 10-11 A.M. offering confessions in both English and Spanish.
        • April 11th at St. Mark Parish, 300 E Cole Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187. In particular, Fr. Keith will be there from 10-11 A.M. offering confessions in both English and Spanish.

      >For a Guide on How to Go to Confession, download the flyer below:

      How to Go to ConfessionDownload

      > Sign Up for Living Lent Daily, an e-mail series with reflections based on Bible verses featured in our 3-Minute Retreats by Loyola Press. Each day you’ll receive a message with one of these reflections and a link to pray the 3-Minute Retreat that inspired the words: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/living-lent-daily/

      >Check out the Lenten Resources at Ascension Press: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/advent-and-lent

      >Busted Halo, is a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put together this article last year with 25 ideas of things you can do for Lent.

      >Try listening to a Catholic Podcast. There are so many wonderful offerings available to enrich your spiritual journey. Here are a couple of popular podcasts worth checking out:

      • The God Minute: The God Minute is a short, daily Catholic prayer that includes peaceful music, scripture and a reflection to bless your day with the Lord. It’s only 10 minutes. Visit thegodminute.org or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-god-minute/id1395534230
      • Bible in a Year Podcast: In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection, and prayer along the way. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bible-in-a-year-with-fr-mike-schmitz/id1539568321
      • Fr. Mike Schmitz: If you like Fr. Mike Schmitz’ Youtube videos, you can now listen to this dynamic priest on the go! Fr. Mike Schmitz‘ podcast offers short but lively reflections on a wide variety of topics from Catholic teaching to practical tips for living life well. His down-to-earth tone and inspiring message will help listeners live out the Christian life more effectively.
      • Pray-As-You-Go: This is a prayer podcast, which you can find as an app. It brings you a reading from the Mass of the day and leads you through prayer and meditation on the ready, based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. https://pray-as-you-go.org/about/
      • Word on Fire: In The Word on Fire podcast, Bishop Barron does what he does best — skillfully intersects the richness of the Catholic faith and today’s culture. Bishop Barron’s eloquent but accessible discourse educates and uplifts listeners and upholds the beauty and truth found in the Church. He shares insights from the greatest Catholic thinkers as well as practical advice for all Catholics trying to live well in their day-to-day lives.

      For more suggested podcasts, read the full article: https://catholic-link.org/a-comprehensive-list-of-catholic-podcasts-for-every-interest/