Lent 2025
-
Lenten Faith Enrichment Opportunities are available on out website at: https://saintjohncathedral.com/lenten-faith-enrichmentEvening of ConfessionThe Catholic Diocese of Cleveland invites all Catholics to the Evening of Confession this Lenten season.
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, most of the Catholic churches in the diocese, including the Cathedral, will be open for confession from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
“The joy of God is the joy of forgiveness.” – Pope Francis
God’s forgiveness, Francis said, “is a sign of his overflowing love for each of us: that love that gives us the freedom to stray, like the prodigal son, but that every day awaits our return with open arms; it is the love of the shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep; it is the tenderness with which each sinner is welcomed when he knocks at His door.
And when we come back to him, he welcomes us like children into his house, for he never ceases, not for one instant, to wait for us with love. And his heart rejoices over every child who returns. He is celebrating because he is joy. God has this joy, when one of us sinners goes to him and asks his forgiveness… It is love of God and neighbor that brings fulfillment to all the Commandments. And this is the love of God, his joy: forgiveness. He waits for us always!”
Cathedral Lenten Topics on Prayer - We will offer the following topics on prayer after
the 8:30 am Mass, on three Lenten Sundays, in the Resurrection Chapel:
• Mar. 23: Scriptural Prayer - Fr. Lagman
• Mar. 30: Prayer Basics - Deacon Lawler
• Apr. 6: Liturgical Prayer - Fr. Mamich
We hope that you find time this coming Lent to better understand and deepen your prayer life!Bishop's Daily Reflections for Lent may be read daily online at: http://dioceseofcleveland.org/bishopsreflections or by following Bishop Malesic on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Diocesan Resources for Lent - Celebrate Lent by devoting oneself to prayer, Scripture readings, and giving to others as an act of holy virtue. Often holiday traditions can get mixed into the heart of celebrating holy days or other practices found within the liturgical season. This section provides resources to help one journey to the foot of the cross during Lent.
Stations of the Cross are prayed each Friday of Lent at 5:15 pm in the Cathedral, and will be Live-Streamed online here.
You may also pray the Stations of the Cross On-line here at any time.Operation Rice Bowl funds poverty and hunger alleviation programs, both locally and internationally. Pick up a “Rice Bowl” in the church. Details can be found in the Cathedral Bulletin. Rice Bowl donation boxes are Please return your Rice Bowl on or before Palm Sunday, April 13th!! See meatless Lenten recipes at: https://crsricebowl.org/recipe. Learn more, read stories of those helped by Catholic Relief Services, or give online at crsricebowl.org
Lenten Fish Fry Listing: https://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/lent/fish-fryFast & Abstinence - The Fridays of the season of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years and older. Ash Wednesday, March 5 & Good Friday, April 18, are also days of fast (that is, limited to a single full meal). The law of fasting binds all Catholics from their 18th birthday until their 59th birthday (Canons 97 and 1252). One should seek to do more rather than less. Fast and abstinence on the days prescribed should be considered a minimum response to the Lord’s call to penance and conversion.