CATHOLIC SOCIAL TIPS
In our Catholic culture there has long been the practice of “giving something up” for Lent to grow in our relationship with our Lord. However, in recent years, the internet has opened up rich new ways of connecting with Christ through online devotions more meaningful than giving up chocolate, social media or alcohol.
Downloading apps on your phone that send notifications to remind you to pray, can really help you to journey through Lent in a more powerful and prayerful way. Here are 10 digital avenues you might consider:
- Hallow Many faithful Catholics already have this app on their phones to review the daily readings or be guided through traditional prayers like the rosary, Divine Mercy, Liturgy of the Hours and more. During Lent it invites you to participate in the #Pray40 challenge. The theme is “He Leadeth Me.”
- Audible Read a Catholic book.
- USCCB Hear the daily Mass readings courtesy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
- YouTube: Busted Halo Channel The Stations of the Cross playlist shares an explanation and reflection for each station. youtu.be/apAb4HAW3c8?si=thia6l-CIxanJHnr
- Mass-online.org Watch daily Mass streaming from your parish or from around the world. This add streams Mass from various countries in Spanish, Chinese, Mandarin, Tamil, Mayayalam and Tagalog.
- Spotify Type “Lent Songs” to find a number of playlists already built, or build your own, to meditate on the journey to Christ.
- ThePrayMoreRetreat.org This online retreat app allows you to experience a self-paced retreat during the 40 days of Lent in your own time. This retreat will give you access to 16 talks on prayer, on who God is and what that means for you, the season of Lent, and lessons from the saints.
- Best Lent Ever This year dynamiccatholic.com/lent takes you on a 40-day journey of exploring eucharistic consecration in this year of the Eucharistic Revival.
- Holy Chrism Learn about the origins and importance of the Holy Oils that will be blessed at the various Vicariates in March. Here is a short video to watch on YouTube youtube.com/watch?v=A131j0yFcM0
10: Email Sign-up for a daily reflection on the Lenten journey inspired by the book “God’s Voice Within” by Jesuit Father Mark E. Thibodeaux and produced by Loyola Press. loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/living-lent-daily/
While many people will opt to take a sabbatical from social media for Lent, it is an awesome time to share your faith with others. We have observed Ash Wednesday for a couple of millennia and I still have people come up to me on that day and say, “Did you know you have dirt on your forehead?” Sharing a video or picture explaining the significance of this ritual for our church is evangelization! Many of the apps, like Hallow, allow you to share with your followers what you are experiencing.
Lent is the perfect time to ask for the intercession of a saint who is the patron for whatever you are challenged with for 40 days. So Google the patron saint of _________. You fill in the blank.
Another practice appropriate for Lent, that is definitely an in-person experience, is to spend time in Adoration with our Lord.
I hope these tools and ideas help you design a plan that makes this year’s Lent the best yet!
Sherry Hayes-Peirce is a Catholic social media consultant based in Southern California.
