Here is a list of online calendars, prayers, retreats and reflections which you might find helpful in your spiritual journey during Lent.  We make every effort to insure that the links are current; if you find a broken link, please send an email to: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org.

Prepare for Lent

Pope Francis' 2025 Lenten Message (Official Vatican)
Busy Person's Guide to Lent (BustedHalo 2024)
Choosing Your Lenten Practices (McGrath Institute)
Discernment in Making Lenten Plans (Ignatian Spirituality)
Five Ways to Prepare for Lent (Aleteia)
Five Things NOT to Do for Lent (National Catholic Register)
How to Prepare for Lent (Ignatian Spirituality)
How to Make a Plan for Lent (Good Catholic)
How to Get Ready For Lent (Word on Fire)
Meatless Meal Planner (Aleteia 2024)
Preparing for Ash Wednesday (Ignatian Spirituality)
The Ultimate Guide to Lent (Grotto Network)
Complete Guide to Lent (Hallow)
Guidelines for Fasting and Abstinence (Waterloo Catholics)
Guide to Common Lenten Devotions and Customs (Waterloo Catholics)

Lenten Calendars

Fast-Pray-Give Calendar (BustedHalo 2025)
Daily Lenten Calendar  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 2025)
Daily Lenten Calendar (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development 2025)
Daily Lenten Calendar (Pax Christi International 2024)
Lenten Family Calendar (Operation Rice Bowl 2024)
Laudato Si Lenten Calendar (Laudato Si Movement 2024)
Lenten Family Calendar (Loyola Press)

New Resources for 2025

Advice for Making Lent More Spiritually Enriching (Catholics in Recovery 2025)
Book of Lamentations daily Lenten reflections (Catholic Near East Welfare Association 2025)
Building Nonviolent Bridges weekly reflections (Pax Christi International 2025)
Five Tips for Making and Keeping Our Resolutions This Lent (Catholics in Recovery 2025)
Fruits of the Spirit Daily prayer for Lent (Jesuits in Scotland 2025)
Hope Is Our Constant Companion (Dubuque Franciscans 2025)
How Scripture Can Be Your Guide in Lent (BustedHalo Show/podcast 2025)
Ignatian Workout for Lent (Ignatian Spirituality 2025)
Illuminated Reflections on the Path to the Cross (St. John's University 2025)
Keeping Lent With St. Luke--Sunday Gospels for Cycle C (Jack Mahoney SJ. Thinkijng Faith 2010)
Lent--Holy Springtime of the Soul daily emails by Megan McKenna (Spirituality & Practice 2025)
Lenten recipes (National Catholic Reporter 2025)
Living Lent Daily daily emails (Ignatian Spirituality 2025)
Lord Show Me the Way daily prayers and music (Ave Maria Press 2025)
On Hope Read Along (Ignatian Spirituality 2025)
Part With One Possession Each Day During Lent (BustedHalo 2025)
The Passion According to Luke Weekly Study Course (London Jesuit Centre 2025)
The Pace of Grace weekly audio meditations (Pray As You Go 2024)
Rethinking Lent--From 'Giving Up' to 'Giving To'.  John Kainer (BustedHalo 2025)
Return to Me With All Your Heart weekly reflections (Pax Christi USA)
Slow and Simple weekly reflections (Catholic Health Association 2025)
Take Heart (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2025)
Tips for a Lenten Media Fast (National Catholic Register)
The Spiritual Path weekly reflections by Lisa Kelly (Ignatian Spirituality 2025)
25 Great Things You Can Do for Lent. (BustedHalo)
Weekly Lenten Online Prayer Services (Pax Christi USA 2025)
Weekly Lenten Discussion (Waterloo Catholics 2025)
What Does Lent Want from Us? John Shea (National Catholic Reporter 2025)

Forty Days Forty Meetings (Catholics in Recovery 2024)
Live Lenten Discussions online each Sunday (Henri Nouwen Society 2024)

Family Lenten Resources

General 
Celebrating Lent with Catholic Kids (Sadlier Religion Blog)
Embracing the Lenten Season As a Family (Catholic News Agency)
Five Meaningful Ways to Observe Ash Wednesday at Home (Aleteia)
How to Plan a Family Retreat for Lent (National Catholic Register)
How to Share Lent With Children (National Catholic Register)
Lenten Family Calendar (Loyola Press)
Living Liturgically--Celebrating Lent With Children (The Catholic Company)
Examination of Conscience for Children  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Holy Week
Explain the Holy Week Timeline to Kids (Teach by Faith 2023)
Holy Week Activities for Kids (Faith Gateway 2024)
Holy Week Facts for Kids (Kiddle 2024)
Holy Week Foods to Make With Your Kids (Aleteia 2022)
How to Explain Holy Week to Children (Minno 2024)
How to Make Holy Week Holy (Catechist's Journey)
How We Celebrate Holy Week As a Young Family (National Catholic Register)
Joe Paprocki's Guide to Holy Week (Catechist's Journey)
12 Ways to Celebrate Holy Week at Home (Aleteia 2021)
Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Holy Week with Kids (Catholic Icing 2020)
Activities
Five Ways to Observe Ash Wednesday at Home (Aleteia)
40 Family Ideas for Lent (Catechists Journey)
Age-Level Lenten Activities for Children (Loyola Press)
Holy Week Activities (Catechist's Journey)
Lenten Family Calendar (Catholic Relief Services)
Lenten Recipes from Around the World (Catholic Relief Services)
Lenten Tips for Families (National Catholic Register 2024)
Lenten Activities for Children (Catholic Icing)
Printable Lenten Calendar for Kids (Catholic Icing)
Published Resources
Totally Lent--A Child's Journey to Easter (Pflaum Publishers)
Seven Lenten Kits for Kids (Aleteia)
Videos
Lenten FAQ by Joe Paprocki (Loyola Press)
What Is Ash Wednesday (Catholic Kids Media)
Videos for Sunday Readings in Cycle B (Catholic Kids Media)
Joe Paprocki's Guide to Holy Week (Catechist's Journey)
Lenten Video Series (Religion Teacher)
More Lenten Resources for Families (Strong Catholic Family Faith)
Stations of the Cross With Children (Loyola Press)

Lenten Resources Archive

Online Retreats and Study Courses

As I Have Done for You Weekly Lenten Retreat (Becky Eldridgen 2022)
Daily Three-Minute Retreat. (Loyola Press)
The Inner Voice of Love. Lenten Book Discussion (Henri Nouwen Society. 2023)
40 Days 40 Ways--Guide to a Green Lent.  Dianne Scheper. (Franciscan Action Network)
Finding Beauty in the Ashes. Virtual Retreat. (GodSpaceLight 2022)
Franciscan Values Lenten Reflection Series (Franciscan Action Network 2021)
From Ashes to Glory Virtual Retreat. By Dan Schutte (2023)
From Ruins to Resurrection Evening Reflection. (God in All Things 2021)
Growing Back Better Lenten Retreat. Margaret Silf. (Pray As You Go 2021)
Growing in Friendship With God This Lent.  William Barry (Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
Finding God in the Chaos Retreat (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2023)
From Ashes to Glory on-demand retreat with Dan Schutte (2024)
Harden Not Your Hearts Lenten Retreat. (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2022)
Hope and the Nearness of God Lenten Retreat. Teresa White. (Pray As You Go 2022)
The Ignatian Workout for Lent  Online retreat.  (Ignatian Spirituality 2024)
The Jerusalem Journey Lenten Retreat. (Pray-As-You-Go 2023)
Journey Through Lent With St. Ignatius Loyola (Ignatian Spirituality Center 2022)
Journey Through Lent with Scott Hahn (St. Paul Center 2022)
Journey Through the Life of Jesus. Andrea Tornielli and Bernadette Reiss (Ignatian Spirituality 2024)
Journey With the St. John's Bible. Online study opportunity (McGrath Institute 2021)
Journeying With Mary Lenten Retreat. (God In All Things 2022)
Knowing Jesus Online Retreat (Pathways to God 2021)
Lenten e-courses (Gratefulness.org)
Lenten Guided Retreat (London Jesuit Centre 2022)
Lenten Pilgrimage At Home (Catholic Link 2022)
Life With Jesus Lenten Read-Along (Ignatian Spirtuality 2024)
Lift Every Voice—A Lenten Journey Toward Racial Justice (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2016)
Live the Questions Holy Week Retreat (The Jesuit Post 2021)
Make a Scriptural Pilgrimage Through Lent (McGrath Institute 2021)
Pilgrimage of Grace Through the Holy Land (Magdala 2022)
The Return of the Priodigal Lenten Book Discussion. (Henri Nouwen Society 2020)
Through Lent With Ignatius (Ignatian Spirituality Center, Glasglow 2022)
The Vine and the Branches (The Jesuit Post 2022)
 Walking Together With Jesus  Lenten Retreat 2019 (Pathways to God)
Who Is My Neighbor  Lenten Digital Retreat  (Operation Rice Bowl)
Journey Into Freedom Lenten Retreat 2020 (Pathways to God)

Lenten Prayers and Reflections (General Themes)

Arts & Faith Visual Prayer Experiences for Lent. (Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
Ave Explores Lent. Sr. Miriam James Heidland. (Ave Maria Press 2022)
Baptism Is the Key to Understanding Lent. (Catholic Doors)
Best Lent Ever Daily Emails and Videos (Dynamic Catholic)
Cry From the Cross weekly audio meditations (Pray As You Go 2024)
The Crucified Is My Love--Morning and Evening Prayers for Lent (Plough)
Daily Lenten Devotion Based on the Psalms (Faithward 2022)
Daily Lenten Prayers (Creighton University 2023)
Daily Lenten Reflections (America Magazine 2022)
Daily Lenten REflections (Catholics in Recovery 2022)
Daily Lenten Reflections  (National Catholic Reporter)
Daily Lenten Reflections (Salesian Missions 2021)
Daily Lenten Reflections (Salesian Missions 2022)
Daily Prayer for Lent (Jesuits in Scotland 2024)
Family Night Prayer for Lent. Free e-book (McGrath Institute 2021)
Five Litanies to Sing and Pray in Lent (Aleteia 2019)
Following Jesus Into the Desert (Ignatian Spirituality
From Ashes to Glory—Praying the Examen During Lent.  Joseph Tetlow SJ. (Ignatian Spirituality 2023)
40 Days with the Saints. Joe Paprocki. (The Catechists Journey)
40 Ways to Improve Your Prayer Life This Lent. (Tom McGrath. CareNotes. 2023)
Growing in Friendship with God This Lent.  William A. Barry SJ. (Ignatian Spirituality)
Guided Reflection on Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.  Joe Paprocki. (The Catechist's Journey)
An Ignatian Diet for Lent. (Pathways to God 2019)
An Ignatian Prayer Adventure. Kevin O’Brien SJ.(Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
Ignatian Prayer Adventure. (Ignatian Spirituality 2021)
Imagine (Pray As You Go 2022)
Imaginative Prayer Exercises for Lent and Holy Week. (Ignatian Spirituality)
An Intinerary for Lent. Reflections on the Sunday Gospels for Cycle A. Peter Edmonds SJ (Thinking Faith 2017)
Job's Deep Faith in Troubled Times. (Reformed Worship)
Journey Through Lent With Art  (University of Notre Dame)
Journey Through the Life of Jesus. Andrea Tornielli and Bernadette Reiss (Ignatian Spirituality 2024)
Leaning Into Our Belovedness. Gretchen Crowder (Central and Southern Jesuits 2024)
Lent--A Way Out of the Shadows. Reflections on the Sunday readings for Cycle A (Thinking Faith 2008)
Lent--Baptism and Penance. David Bonagura (The Catholic Thing 2024)
Lent and Easter for Those In Recovery (St. Joseph Institute)
lent Is Not a Time for Wallowing in the Negative.  Philip Endean SJ (Thinking Faith 2014)
Lenten Litany on Feasting and Fasting (William Arthur Ward)
Lenten Prayers (JesuitResource.org)
Lent With the Saints  Daily reflections (Franciscan Media)
The Lenten Question. Laura Tringali (God in All Things 2016)
Lenten Reflections by Jan Richardson (The Painted Prayerbook)
Lenten Reflections for Families Recovering From Addiction.  Jean Heaton (Ignatian Spirituality 202 1)
The Living Desert of Lent. James Hanvey SJ (Thinking Faith 2017)
Living Lent Daily. Daily email reflections. (Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
Lunchtime Examen. Jim Manney (podcast/Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
Lunchtime Examen--Ways to Pray With the Examen (podcast/Ignatian Spirituality 2023)
Meatless Meal Planner (Aleteia 2024)
The Ordinariness of Lent  Andy Otto (God In All Things)
Papal Preacher's Lenten Messages to the Papal Household (2020-2024)
Poems for Lent. (Faith Notre Dame)
Prayers for Lent. (Dynamic Catholic)
Praying Holy Week (St. Beuno Outreach 2024)
Praying Lent.  (Creighton University Online Ministry)
Praying With Jesus. Guided Meditations for Holy Week (Becky Eldridge 2022)
Becoming Spirit-Filled Voters. Weekly Emails (Network 2021)
Rules for Eating (Gemma Simmons. Thinking Faith 2021)
Seven Last Words (Loyola Press)
Seven Penitential Psalms (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Springtime of the Year--Lent As a Time of Renewal. (Thinking Faith)
Steadfast--Called to Love Daily Reflections (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2021)
Stretched for the Sake of Love--Palm Sunday Spiritual Exercise (Catholic Link)
Thought for the Day (Pathway to God)
Thoughts for Ash Wednesday. Philip Endean (Thinking Faith 2014)
25 Great Things You Can Do for Lent (BustedHalo 2024)
Ultimate Guide to Understanding Lent (Grotto Network 2023)
Virtual Lenten Pilgrimage Through the Holy Land (Magdala 2021)
Virtual Holy Thursday Liturgy.  Dan Schutte (National Catholic Reporter 2020)
Virtual Good Friday Liturgy. Dan Schutte (National Catholic Reporter 2020)
Virtual Easter Vigil Liturgy. Dan Schutte (National Catholic Reporter 2020)
Weekly Guided Prayer (London Jesuit Center 2022)
What Chronic Illness Can Teach Us About Lent. Amanda Martinez Beck (Faith & Leadership 2024)

Lenten Prayers and Reflections (Social Justice Themes)

Beyond the Headlines--Lent with the Jesuit Missions (2023)
Daily Lenten Reflections (Catholic Near East Welfare Association 2024)
Ecological Guide to Holy Week. Daniel Horan OFM (National Catholic Reporteer 2024)
Embracing Jesus' Practice of Nonviolence Weekly Reflections (Maryknoll Office of Global
     Concerns 2018)
Caring for Creation Lenten Reflection Guide (Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns 2024)
A Journey Toward Ecological Conversion. Weekly Reflections (Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)
A Journey With Gospel Nonviolence. Weekly Reflections. (Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)
Journey With Jesus and Refugees. (Pray As You Go)
Lenten Reflections for the Homeless (In Hope)
Lenten Reflections from a Social Justice Perspective. (Catholic Campaign for Human Development)
Radical Hope Daily Reflections (Ignatian Solidarity Network 2021)
Rise Up—A Weekly Call to Solidarity (Ignatian Solidarity Network)
Week of Lenten Prayers for Social Justice (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Way of the Cross (Traditional Themes)

Applying the Examen to Praying the Way of the Cross. Ignatian Spirituality.
Contemporary Reflections on the Stations of the Cross. Francis Murphy (Thinking Faith 2019)
Eight Ways to Pray the Stations of the Cross (Aleteia 2021)
Encounters Along the Way. (Grotto Network 2023)
Online Stations of the Cross. Creighton University Online Ministry.
Marian Way of the Cross (Aleteia)
Mary's Way of the Cross. (Little Sisters of the Poor)
Mary's Way of the Cross video (Pray As You Go)
Meditations from the Pope's Annual Good Friday Way of the Cross (Official Vatican)
Praying the Eucharistic Stations of the Cross. (Our Sunday Visitor 2024)
Scriptural Reflections on the Stations of the Cross. Nicholas King (Thinking Faith 2013)
Scriptural Stations of the Cross for Lent (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Seven Falls of Christ (Aleteia 2017)
Stations of the Cross Audio Meditations (Pray As You Go 2022)
Stations of the Cross by James E. Adams (Friars of the Atonement)
Stations of the Cross Booklet (Grotto Network 2021)
Stations of the Cross for Busy People (Aleteia 2017)
Stations of the Cross for Children (Loyola Press)
Stations of the Cross/Reflections by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire/video 2024)
Stations of the Cross/Reflections by St. Alphonsus Liguori (Video/CatholicLink)
Stations of the Cross/Reflections by St. Francis of Assisi. (Video/Catholic Link)
Stations of the Cross for Married Couples by Daniel Allen (For Your Marriage)
Stations of the Cross for the Elderly  (Our Sunday Visitor)
Stations of the Cross for the Pandemic (Incarnation Is Everywhere 2021)
Stations of the Cross in the Spirit of "Laudato Si" (International Union of Superiors General 2020)
Stations of the Cross for Those Who Are Suffering or in Poor Health (BustedHalo)
Stations of the Cross for Victims of Sexual Abuse. Cardinal Vincent Nichols (Archdiocese of Westminster)
Unlock the Stations of the Cross Examen Style. Gary Jansen (Loyola Press)
Way of the Cross for Grieving Persons (Diocese of Wichita)
Way of the Cross During a Time of Pandemic (Aleteia)
Way of the Cross for the Sick and Dying (Salt & Light Media 2021)
Way of the Cross Virtual Tour  (Jerusalem.com)
Virtual Stations of the Cross  (BustedHalo)

Way of the Cross (Social Justice Themes)

Black Lives Matter at the Stations of the Cross (Arusi Network 2021) 
Economic and Ecological Way of the Cross.  (Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns)
Social Justice Way of the Cross (Catholic Relief Services)
Stations of the Cross Videos (Catholic Relief Services 2021)
Stations of the Cross for Overcoming Racism (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Stations of the Cross  (Food for the Poor)
Stations of the Cross in Solidarity with the Persecuted Church. Archbishop Samir Nassar
    (Independent Catholic News 2018)
Stations of the Cross Seen Through the Eyes of LGBTQ Catholics. (Most Holy Redeemer/Saint
     John Fisher Youth Ministry, Chicago 2021)
Stations of the Cross With Migrants (Jesuits Central Province 2025)
Way of Asylum. Art by Michelina Nicotera-Taxiera (Kino Border Initiative 2020)
Way of the Cross with Jesus and Refugees Audio (Pray As You Go 2022)
Way of the Cross with Jesus and Refugees Slideshow (Jesuit Relief Services 2022)
Way of the Cross With the People of Ukraine (Aid to the Church in Need 2024)

Examinations of Conscience

Traditional Examination of Conscience Based on the Ten Commandments  (U.S. Conference
    of Catholic Bishops)
Short Examination of Conscience  (Loyola Press)
Examination of Conscience for Children  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Examination of Conscience for Young Adults  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Examination of Conscience for Single Persons  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Examination of Conscience for Married Couples  (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Examination of Conscience Based on the Beatitudes  (St. Mary College)
Examination of Conscience Based on Catholic Social Teaching (U.S. Conference of
    Catholic Bishops)
Examination of Conscience Based on the Ignatian Examen (Catholic Parishes in Waterloo)
Examination of Conscience Based on the Theological Virtues.  John Hardon SJ. (Catholic Education  
    Resource Centre)
Examination of Conscience Based on the Works of Mercy  (Catholic Parishes in Waterloo)
Consciousness Examen.  George Ashenbrenner SJ (Ignatian Spirituality)

Lenten Videos

Ash Wednesday and Lent in Two Minutes(Busted Halo)
Journey of the Heart—The Life of Henri Nouwen  (Windborne Productions)
A Deeper Lent—A Time for Healing and Hope. Andy Alexander and Maureen McCann
     Waldron. (Creighton University Online Ministry)    Part 1     Part 2
Almsgiving and Joy This Lent.  Fr. James Martin. (Loyola Press)
Bishop Barron on Lent. (Word on Fire)
Daily Lenten Video Reflections.  Dr. Tim Grey (Formed)
Fasting and Abstinence. Fr. Richard Leonard. (Loyola Press)
From the Desert to the Empty Tomb.  Fr. Michael Eades (Salt & Light Media 2024)
Go Into the Desert for Lent (BustedHalo 2022)
Having a Friendship With God This Lent.  Fr. William Barry SJ. (Loyola Press)
Holy Week in Three Minutes (BustedHalo)
The Human Experience of Our Redeemer. Joseph Tetlow (Ignatian Spirituality 2022)
In the Footsteps of Jesus--Holy Week Pilgrimage (Faith Notre Dame)
Lent in Three Minutes (Busted Halo 2023)
Lent Is the Season for Truth-Telling. Virginia Hampton Wright (Loyola Press)
A Lenten Journey Through the Stations of the Cross. Gary Jansen (Ignatian Spirituality 2023)
Lenten Video Series (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Weekly Lenten Video Reflections (Catholic Health Association)
Lenten Video Reflections (Dynamic Catholic)
Practices of Lent.  Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire)
Praying Through Holy Week. Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Slow and Simple weekly video reflections (Catholic Health Association 2025)
The Spirit and the Desert  (The Wild Goose Series)
Three Days of Grace--A Virtual Celebration of the Three Days (Dan Schutte)
Triduum--A Spiritual Journey (FORMED)
“What am I going to give up for Lent?” is the wrong question (America Media)
What Is Lent Video Series (Catholic Relief Services)
Why Lent?  Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire)

Lenten Audio

Called to Be Saints--A Lent Retreat (Pathways to God)
40 Songs for 40 Days. Carolyn Pirtle (McGrath Institute 2021)
Lunchtime Examen—Six Session Prayer Series.  Jim Manney. Ignatius Spirituality.
A Lenten Journey With Luke (Mount Street Jesuit Centre/Pathways to God)
A Lenten Retreat with Fr. Larry Gillick SJ.  Creighton University Online Ministry.
Seven Penitential Psalms (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Lenten Music

Guitar Meditations for Lent. (Garrison Doles)
Lenten Collection (Spiritrax)
Lenten Play List (Aleteia)
Music to Celebrate the Easter Season (McGrath Institute)
Musical Guide to Holy Week (Aleteia)
Spotify Playlist for Ash Wednesday (Grotto Network)
Spotify Playlist for Lent (Grotto Network)
Ten Hymns for Lent (Christianity.com)

Lenten Recipes

Five Kid-Friendly Lenten Meals (National Catholic Register 2025)
Lenten recipes (National Catholic Reporter 2025)
Meatless Lenten Meals (Creighton University 2025)
Meatless Meal Planner (Aleteia 2024)
Lenten Recipes from Around the World (Operation Rice Bowl)
Lenten Soup Recipes (National Catholic Register)
Vegetarian Meals for Meat-Lovers (Aleteia 2025)


Related Links
   Guide to Holy Week
   Schedule of Holy Week and Easter services in the Waterloo parishes

[Last Update: 03.07.25]