Three Ways to Enter more deeply into the Season of Lent

Each spring, Catholics being to think about how to spend the Lenten season growing closer to Christ. Here are some suggestions from St. Joseph’s for Lent 2022.

Father David Huemmer recently discovered two books he plans to read this Lent. The first one, “Remember your Death: Memento Mori Lenten Devotional” by Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP, came recommended by a friend who followed this book last year.

“My friend recommended the Lenten version, and since I liked Advent version I used last December, I sought out this book for 2022,” said Father Huemmer. “The author is with the Daughters of St. Paul. I feel a connection with them because representatives used to visit our parish in South Carolina, and the books they sold then were integral to my faith formation during that time.”

The second book, “A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season” by Mother Mary Francis, abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico, is meaningful to Father Huemmer because of his connection to the Poor Clares in Kokomo.

Fr. Huemmer served as chaplain to the Monastery of Poor Clare Nuns in Kokomo, Indiana for three years celebrating mass with them every morning at 6:30 am. For four years prior to that he served on a rotating basis with the other Kokomo priests celebrating mass for the sisters.

“There are several special connections between the Poor Clares in Kokomo and the St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center,” added Father Huemmer. “And I’ve enjoyed other books by Mother Mary Francis, so I thought this would be a good fit for Lent.” (Click HERE to read more about Father Huemmer’s experiences with the Poor Clares.)

SJRCC will host a Lenten Day of Reflection on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 9 am to 3 pm. The $30 cost includes two conferences, Mass, Stations of the Cross and a Keltie & Co. Catering lunch. 

At the Day of Reflection, Fr. David Huemmer will lead a conference on the history behind the Stations of the Cross and how this devotion can help us enter more deeply into the Lenten Liturgy. In his second conference, he will discuss the Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother and how meditating on her seven sorrows can help us see how she can draw us closer to Jesus and enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery.

Register HERE!

“A lot of times we don’t think of incorporating music into our Lenten journey,” said Father Huemmer. “But Lenten music helps us to enter into the season in a different modality than reading or prayer. It enhances the Lenten experience.”

We’ve created two Lenten playlists on Spotify.com—Lenten Hymns and Gregorian Chants. The Lenten Hymns Playlist features liturgical hymns that sound more like what you'd hear at church with choirs and organs. The Gregorian Chant Playlist features traditional Latin hymns that are a part of our Catholic heritage.  

If you don't already have an account with Spotify.com, it is easy and FREE to create at Spotify.com. Then, search for St. Joseph Retreat & Conference Center and 'follow' us. Be sure and 'like' one or both of our Lenten Playlists so you can listen throughout the season. 

If you already have a Spotify.com account, click on the links below to enjoy the Lenten playlists!

Click Here to Visit our Gregorian Lent Playlist on Spotify.com
Click Here to Visit our Lenten Hymns Playlist on Spotify.com

(Look for both a Passion and an Easter playlist as the season of Lent progresses!)