In 2025, the forty days of Lent will start on March 5, 2025, Ash Wednesday, and conclude on April 17, 2025, Holy Thursday. Easter will be celebrated on April 20, 2025. During this sacred season, we are called to deepen our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Catholic-Link has gathered a selection of powerful resources for your journey during this Lenten season.
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Catholic Books For Lent
Wilderness Within | Sr. Josephine Garrett CSFN
This Lent, allow Sr. Josephine Garrett to be your guide as you explore the interior wilderness of your heart and invite Jesus in to heal you with his love. Have you ever wondered why Jesus went into the wilderness? Some believe it was to reveal his divinity or to restore humanity’s relationship with God. In Wilderness Within, Sr. Josephine Garrett, a mental health counselor and popular speaker, reflects on the belief that Jesus went into the wilderness to rescue us—to rescue us! The Lord does not want us to view the wilderness as something that causes worry, anxiety, or fear.
What if the way to endure suffering is not to run from it, but to find deep healing through it? In Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, learn how God can repurpose your pain to become redemptive—benefitting not only your own soul, but others’ too. Author Megan Hjelmstad draws from her experience with chronic illness to address the fear, grief, limitation, and needs that accompany suffering. Along the way, readers will be given practical tools to face any cross with purpose and peace.
My Burden Is Light | St. John of Ávila
Saint John of Avila, the 34th Doctor of the Church, gave numerous sermons on this subject, in which he offers the consolation of Christ’s own example and that of saints, like St. Francis of Assisi. St. John never failed to instruct, edify, and challenge those who listened attentively to his sermons. Within these sermons, we too can find renewed strength as we embrace the redemptive suffering of this life and hope for the beatific vision in the next. Published for the first time in English, this carefully translated work of St. John’s selected sermons will be a great spiritual aid to any soul along his path to holiness.
The Road to Calvary | St. Alphonsus Liguori
With St. Alphonsus Liguori as your spiritual guide, The Road to Calvary: Daily Meditations for Lent and Easter will take you on the long difficult path Our Lord took to His death and crucifixion. Drawing on the insights of the saints who have gone before him, Liguori adds his own insights into the events of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord so that you may truly enter the details of Christ’s suffering and ultimate victory over death.
The School of Christian Perfection | St. Alphonsus Liguori
In this seminal work, St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, presents a comprehensive guide to achieving Christian perfection through the pursuit of virtue. Drawing from his extensive theological writings, Alphonsus provides a month-by-month exploration of essential virtues such as faith, hope, charity, poverty, chastity, obedience, meekness, and humility. Each chapter offers insightful meditations, scriptural reflections, and practical counsel for cultivating and integrating these virtues into everyday life.
Holiness of Life | St. Bonaventure
In Holiness of Life, Saint Bonaventure offers a rich and challenging reflection on the virtues that lead the soul to union with God. Exploring themes of humility, prayer, poverty, and the remembrance of Christ’s Passion, this spiritual classic guides readers to conform their hearts to Christ and embrace the life of holiness.
Simply Scripture for Lent and Easter | Colleen Reiss Vermeulen
Have you ever wished to recite scripture quotes off the top of your head? Or do you long to build a habit of daily scripture reading? Having a doable plan to regularly and prayerfully engage scripture can make this practice sustainable for people with busy lives. Simply Scripture for Lent and Easter is the perfect place to begin. This daily prayer guide, keyed to the Lenten and Easter seasons, provides a simple framework for reading and reflection upon Mark’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles.
“The exodus from slavery to freedom is no abstract journey. If our celebration of Lent is to be concrete, the first step is to desire to open our eyes to reality. When the Lord calls out to Moses from the burning bush, he immediately shows that he is a God who sees and, above all, hears: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex 3:7-8). Today too, the cry of so many of our oppressed brothers and sisters rises to heaven. Let us ask ourselves: Do we hear that cry? Does it trouble us? Does it move us? All too many things keep us apart from each other, denying the fraternity that, from the beginning, binds us to one another.”
– Pope Francis
Lord, Show Me the Way | Josh Noem
Let the music and lyrics of Christian tradition guide you through the forty days of Lent toward the joy of Easter. Inspired by hymns and songs that span generations and cultures, Lord Show Me the Way invites you to grasp the spirit of repentance and conversion this Lent. Learn anew how to set your eyes and heart on reaching the life-saving waters of Baptismal renewal that we will embrace when Easter comes.
Praying with the Psalms | Shannon Wimp Schmidt
Lent is more than just a time for sacrifice; it’s a vibrant season for deep spiritual renewal to strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Tired of the same old habits and practices that leave you feeling unchanged? This year, embark on a transformative journey that will invigorate your soul and draw you closer to God. In Praying with the Psalms, Catholic writer and podcaster Shannon Wimp Schmidt will lead you in contemplative devotions based on verses from the season’s Responsorial Psalms.
Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor | John Bergsma
Jubilee means joy—a joy that’s not fleeting, a joy that lasts. In biblical times, a jubilee was a time to rejoice. And this is still the case when the Church announces a jubilee. In Jesus and the Jubilee, biblical scholar John Bergsma gets to the roots of the jubilee, showing how this practice was established in order to preserve freedom, family, and the fullness of God’s blessing for the ancient Israelites.
Media Fasting – Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ
Do you ever feel sluggish, overwhelmed, or anxious after spending too much time in front of a screen? Does the constant pressure of staying digitally connected with people, ideas, and the latest trends leave you feeling disconnected—from yourself, from others, and from God?
Recharge your spiritual life, relationships, and sense of well-being with this wise and practical guide to living your faith in a media-saturated world from Sister Nancy Michael Usselmann, FSP, the National Director of Pauline Media Studies.
Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ helps you assess your current media habits; develop a media fasting plan based on your personal goals; and grow in your relationship with Christ through six weeks of devotional readings, reflection questions, and prayer prompts. Learn tips for cultivating virtue, practice media mindfulness, and discover powerful ways to pray for our media world and witness to Christ from within it. By the end of your fast, you will have the tools you need to revisit your approach to media and develop a Christ-centered strategy for your personal media use—one that leads to greater freedom and peace.
>>Sign up for the full Media Fast Challenge this Lent with the Daughters of St. Paul>>
Catholic Movies & Series
The Last Supper (In theaters March 14) : A powerful cinematic Biblical journey that brings to life the ultimate act of love and sacrifice as seen through the eyes of those who walked alongside Jesus. This reimagining unveils untold perspectives, offering a deeply human and spiritual exploration of the moments that shaped history and faith. Through the diverse voices surrounding Him, the story invites audiences to witness a powerful and intimate portrayal of redemption and grace. Embark on an extraordinary cinematic journey where a timeless story comes to life, faith finds new depth, and the power of belief unfolds in a way you’ve never experienced before. *We have not yet had the opportunity to review this movie. Subscribe to our emails so you don’t miss our review. Please use your discretion before viewing.
Drawing Closer to God: Journey through Lent with the whole family! Join art teacher Ms. Kim as she teaches children to draw different scenes from gospels, including Ash Wednesday, the healing of the blind man, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and more. With compelling storytelling, Ms. Kim points out key details from Scripture and Catholic tradition. As kids follow along and learn new art skills, they also learn to see the connections between the big picture of God’s story and their place within it.
The Chosen: Not specifically Lent related, but this series is incredible to watch any time of the year! Check out our Catholic Guide to The Chosen HERE.
Full of Grace: There is one person in the gospel that had the experience of living thirty years with Jesus–from birth through His resurrection: Mary, His Mother. After a full life with the Son of God – fleeing into Egypt, losing him in the temple, and seeing him placed on the cross – Mary lives her final earthly days in reflection.
Liturgy & Life: Unveiling the Mystical Movement of the Mass: This powerful series is going to open your eyes to the deeper realities of the Mass.
Not Sure What To Give Up For Lent? Click Here To Try This Quiz!
Catholic Apps
SET FREE: Daily Lenten Reflections to Overcome the Seven Deadly Sins – Fr. Josh based his first ever Lenten series Set Free, on his new book, Pocket Guide to Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins.
The Catechism identifies the seven deadly sins as wrath, sloth, gluttony, lust, greed, envy, and pride. These vices are “deadly” because they are the fountainheads from which all the other sins in our lives originate. Set Free will give you an action plan will help you learn the seven deadly sins—what they are and how they appear in our lives. It will prepare you for Lent by outlining specific fasts you can use to combat each one of the sins and grow in discipline and trust in God. Finally, it will show you how to pray with scripture and surrender your sin to God. It ends with a powerful, step-by-step examination of conscience, which will help you have a deeper and truly profound experience of the sacrament of confession.
Lent #Pray40 Challenge from Hallow – Take the Lent #Pray40 Challenge from Hallow – the Catholic Prayer and Meditation App. To help support you, Hallow has put together 40 days of Lenten meditations with length options that work for every schedule and experience level. You can try out ALL of the Hallow content risk-free during a limited-time free trial.
Amen App – Get access to the audio tracks from the Tears of Christ, a series of Lenten homilies and writings by St. John Henry Newman, published by the Augustine Institute on the Amen app. The Amen app is the free Catholic prayer app that inspires your daily conversation with God through faithful meditations and nourishing Scripture. Find it here!
The Ascension App – The Ascension App is the first Catholic app ever to contain the entire text of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, built right into the app, completely free to you.
Catholic Lent Resources For Kids
Crown of Thorns Lent Magnet Set – Shining Light Dolls
Journey through Lent with the magnetic Crown of Thorns set. We’ve re-imagined this Lenten tradition in magnet form (no more sharp toothpicks!) This lovely set can be placed flat on the table, or hung on the wall (comes ready to hang). At the beginning of Lent cover the crown with the thorn magnets. Then, during Lent, encourage children to do good works or make small sacrifices (whatever works for your family!). For each good work or sacrifice, children can remove a thorn. This is a great visual aid to illustrate to children how our good deeds lessens suffering in the world.
Stations of the Cross Pray & Play Set – By Saintly Heart & Brother Francis
Help your children experience the mystery and joy of Jesus’ Passion, death, and Resurrection with our brand new Stations of the Cross set for kids! This wooden set invites your children to learn about Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them through in a tangible way where they can prayerfully set up each station and walk Jesus through the Passion. Our Jesus figurine even allows for him to actually be able to carry the cross!
All about Lent & Holy Week: Sharing the Seasons of Repentance & Salvation with Children is the essential guide all Catholic families need for the holiest time of the year. Award-winning duo Katherine Bogner and Shari Van Vranken highlight the many treasures of pray and tradition to guide you on your Lenten journey.
Easter Morning Wooden Magnet Set | Shining Light Dolls
Recreate the first Easter morning with these adorable wooden magnets! These beautiful wooden magnets measure roughly 3” tall depending on the Saint. There are 11 magnets in the Easter morning set! They are: 2 Angels, a Roman soldier, St. Peter, St. Mary Mother of James, St. John, Salome, St. Mary Magdalene, a Paschal lamb with cross, a rooster and the Risen Christ!
Stations of the Cross for Kids | The Little Rose Shop
This book makes the Stations of the Cross accessible and engaging for young children, helping them grow in faith one station at a time.
Catholic Tradition: Includes the traditional beginning prayer for each station
Reflection: Helps children understand what is happening at each station and how it relates to their own lives
Short Rhyming Prayer: Easy-to-remember prayers for little hearts and minds
Perfect for children ages 3-10
Don’t miss the FREE podcast. It’s excellent…adults will learn something, too! There are many resources available for purchase, including the The Jesus Tree According to Matthew: Lenten Devotional for Families.
Saint Mary Magdalene | Shining Light Dolls
Teach your children about discipleship and evangelization! Introduce the story of St. Mary Magdalene using the educational insert in the box. Encourage children to think about the disciples of Jesus.
Holy Heroes offers a free Lenten Adventure for children. The series will include videos, activities, and coloring sheets.
Brother Francis “Days of Lent” Coloring Book (complements the video daily Lenten meditations from the Brother Francis on Formed.org)
Bring the Lenten season to life with this one-of-a-kind coloring and activity book! This book was created as a companion to “Lent with Brother Francis” episode, and “The Days of Lent” reader. Most of the coloring pages and activities are designed to reinforce the lesson or theme for each day, and some are just for fun. This book is designed for children ages 5-9, and includes detailed coloring pages, word searches, puzzles, mazes, and other fun activities for each day of Lent.
My Catholic Busy Reusable Sticker Book | Shining Light Dolls
Teach children some of the core basics of Catholicism with this fun reusable sticker book! This interactive sticker book engages children and keeps them learning while having fun- and the best part- you can use it over and over again! The static cling style stickers can be repositioned and used repeatedly for hours of play-based learning fun!
Find more Lent resources for your family here.
Lent activities for Catholic families.
Father John Catholic Priest Rag Doll 14 Piece Set | Shining Light Dolls
Meet Father John! This new collection of Catholic Priest rag dolls are a wonderful tool to teach children about the priesthood, the liturgical year and it’s colors, and the significance of the vestments worn at Mass. Each priest rag doll set comes with a priest (permanently) clothed in his daily clerical clothes (black top, pants, shoes, belt and white Roman collar)
“When We Go To Mass” is a simple rhyming journey through the four parts of the Mass; Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rites.
In addition to the four parts, this precious book touches on twelve key moments from the Mass. They include; greeting, Penitential Act, Scripture readings, Homily, Creed, Prayer of the Faithful, Preparation of the Gifts, Consecration of the bread and wine, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sign of Peace, Communion, and the Final Blessing.
Lent and Easter Coloring Book from The Little Rose Shop
Over 40 unique Lenten and Easter themed pages, including the Stations of the Cross. This fun coloring book is the perfect companion for elementary-aged children as they journey through Lent, celebrate Easter, and deepen their understanding of their Catholic faith.
Catholic Email Subscriptions
Catholic-Link.org weekly emails include seasonal resources to help you make the most of Lent.
Best Lent Ever by Dynamic Catholic: Catholic Speaker Matthew Kelly provides daily emails with videos and reflections to help you “Rediscover Jesus” this Lent.
Celebrate the Feasts – Katie Warner, known as Catholic Katie, provides emails to help you celebrate feasts and better understand Church traditions.
“Living Lent Daily” by Loyola Press: This will be a daily email based on the book Grace-Filled Days by Amy Andrews.
Catholic Websites
Catholic-Link: We have several great posts that will encourage you this Lent, as well as weekly video reflections on the Gospel message. Come back to our site often so you don’t miss out on all of our wonderful resources!
Exodus & Exile Challenge: Like the Israelites of old, we are not home. And yet, there is great hope in our sojourning – in our movement back to God! Dr. John Bergsma will be reading and reflecting one chapter of Exodus each day while Dr. Scott Hahn will be offering live presentations through Lent leading us through the meaning of this earthly exile to our heavenly home. This Exodus & Exile Challenge is completely free and opens on Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Sign up now to be a part of a life transforming Lent for you and allow the Lord to work in your heart. During this Lenten Challenge you will have free access to all of the St. Paul Center courses on Emmaus Academy till Easter, a truly fruitful and enriching opportunity. You can participate in the Emmaus Academy Courses on St. Paul, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Prayer.
CRS Rice Bowl: Provides brief videos, stories of hope and even suggestions for meals during Lent as well as raising awareness for the CRS rice bowl project. This is an excellent resource for those who desire to spend Lent sacrificing in order to give more to the poor.
Holy Heroes: Holy Heroes offers a free Lenten Adventure for children. The series will include videos, activities, and coloring sheets.
USCCB: The United States Council of Catholic Bishops offers some excellent resources on Lent
Daily Text Messages
Flocknote : Flocknote offers a daily Lenten reflection that you can choose to receive as an email or text message.
Diocese of Pittsburgh: Could you use a daily reminder to help guide your Lenten prayer and sacrifices? Text LENT2025 to 84576 to join the Lenten Challenge and receive an inspirational text message every day in Lent.
Catholic Video Reflections
Walking Through Holy Week! | Karen May: This series is designed to deepen your experience of Holy Week and Easter, whether you use it alongside the book or as a standalone resource for personal reflection or group study. Most of us can’t walk the streets of Jerusalem, but every year, we are given the chance to walk with Jesus from His Palm Sunday entrance to the Cross. How much more meaningful would your Easter be if you could sit at the Last Supper, pray in the garden of Gethsemane, and touch the cross before you stood at the empty tomb? The Masses of Holy Week allow us to be participants in the greatest story ever told. Walk with Karen May as she guides you through the events each day, making each one real and personal.
How To Lent: This new four-part video series is available on Formed, the Augustine Institute’s faith formation streaming platform. Lively and accessible, these episodes challenge the commonly held notion that Lent is merely about giving things up. Using the experience of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, episodes dive into the three Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to ultimately help Catholics understand why purposeful preparation is important before Lent even begins. Viewers are invited to continue their journey through Lent on Formed with Foretold: Learning to Trust in God’s Providence, a second video series launching on Ash Wednesday that weaves together stories of the Old and New Testaments to reveal the prophecy and fulfillment of Christ throughout history. A final resource, Lent: Coming to Christ, is a new mini journal with reflection questions for both series and space to write along the way.
Lentsanity Reflections: Every Sunday throughout Lent, Benedictine monk, Fr. Ananias Buccicone O.S.B. will share a new video giving you amazing and profound reflections and instruction on how to grow in faith.
Virtual Stations of the Cross: BustedHalo presents the Stations of the Cross on YouTube. This is a great form of prayer you can do in your own home.
Catholic-Link.org YouTube Channel
Catholic Webinars & Virtual Retreats
Catholic-Link’s Digital Small Group Lent Study
Reform Online: Lent and Easter Cohort
The Ignatian Workout for Lent: An Online Retreat
The Wild Goose: Though not specific to Lent, this free online video series on the Holy Spirit is sure to enhance your spiritual growth over the next 40 days. The videos feature Fr. Dave Pivonka and several testimonies to help better understand the Holy Spirit. Also available is a newer series Here!
Digital Immersion Trip: Join Catholic Extension on a trip to some of the poorest areas of the United States to see how the Catholic faith is growing.
Catholic Music
The Vigil Project: “The VIGIL Project is a community of artists, musicians, and filmmakers that produce a multimedia resource for deep prayer and authentic encounter with God.” The first series they created focuses on songs for Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.
40 Songs for 40 Days by Steubenville Conferences: An amazing list of 40 contemporary songs to help guide your prayer time this Lent. There is a direct link to Spotify so the work is done for you!
Lent at Ephesus: “This compilation of poignant chants, intricate harmonies and rousing hymns of glory and redemption includes: “O Sacred Head Surrounded,” made famous by Bach’s oratorios, “All Glory Laud and Honor,” the well-known “Adoramus Te Christe” and the entrancing “Improperia” from the liturgy of Good Friday.”
Lent 2025 Important Dates To Know
March 5, 2025 – Ash Wednesday | Lent begins | Day of Fasting
March 7, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
March 14, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
March 19, 2024 – Feast of St. Joseph
March 21, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
March 25, 2025 – The Annunciation of the Lord
March 28, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
April 4, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
April 11, 2025 – Lent Friday | No Meat
April 13, 2025 – Palm Sunday
April 16, 2025 – Spy Wednesday
April 17, 2025 – Holy Thursday | Lent Ends
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday | Day of Fasting
April 19, 2025 – Holy Saturday
April 20, 2025 – Easter Sunday
April 27, 2025 – Divine Mercy Sunday
May 29, 2025 – The Ascension of the Lord
June 8, 2025 – Feast of Pentecost | Easter Season ends
Lenten Recipes To Help With Your Fast
3 Easy Lent Recipes To Help You Fast On Ash Wednesday
Prayers To Learn For Lent
The Jesus Prayer – Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
PRAYER TO OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER | St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori
O my afflicted Mother! Queen of Martyrs and of Sorrows, thou didst so bitterly weep over thy Son, Who died for my salvation; but what will thy tears avail me if I am lost? By the merits, then, of thy Sorrows, obtain for me deep contrition for my sins, and a true amendment of life, together with constant and tender compassion for the sufferings of Jesus and thy Dolors. And if Jesus and thou, being so innocent, have suffered so much for love of me, obtain that at least I, who am deserving of Hell, may suffer something for thy love. “O Lady,” will I say with St. Bonaventure, “if I have offended thee, in justice wound my heart; if I have served thee, I now ask wounds for my reward. It is shameful to me to see my Lord Jesus wounded, and thee wounded with Him, and myself without a wound.” In fine, O my Mother, by the grief that thou didst experience in seeing thy Son bow down His head and expire on the Cross in the midst of so many torments, I beseech thee to obtain for me a holy death. Ah, cease not, O Advocate of sinners, to assist my afflicted soul in the midst of the combat in which it will have to engage in its great passage from time to eternity. And as it is probable that I may then have lost my speech and strength to invoke thy sweet name and the Holy Name of Jesus, Who art all my hope, I do so now; I invoke thy Son and thee to succor me in that last moment; and I say, Jesus and Mary, to Thee I commend my soul. Amen.
pRAYER TO OUR SORROWFUL MOTHER | St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori
More Lent Resources
An Illustrated Guide To Fasting: Why Do We Fast During Lent?
Simple (And Creative!) Things To Do To Make The Best Of Lent!
3 Soul-Changing Challenges From A Seminarian To Make This Lent Count!
What tools will you use to grow spiritually this Lent? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
There are many wonderful ways to become more united with Christ during this Lenten season. Take the time to find one that will enrich the next 40 days and a significant impact on your life far beyond that. Pope Francis has offered great insight and wisdom to help our focus during Lent. You can find his message for Lent here.