Archbishop Eamon launches new Facebook page for Lent
Archbishop Eamon Martin launches new Facebook page for Lent 2015
· “During this Lenten season I invite everyone to look into their heart, see the things which might be closing our heart to God’s love and make a special effort to open ourselves up to the grace that God offers during this Lenten season” – Archbishop Eamon Martin
· Theme of Trócaire’s 2015 Lenten campaign is ‘Fighting drought and hunger caused by climate change’
· Find the Balance DVD with testimonies from young Irish people and alcohol moderation
Archbishop Eamon Martin has launched a special web feature and a new Facebook page for Lent 2015 which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. Lent is traditionally described as lasting for forty days, in commemoration of the forty days which, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent fasting in the desert before the beginning of His public ministry, where He endured temptation.
Archbishop Martin said, “I love the phrase which Pope Francis uses in his Message for Lent this year and where he describes Lent as a time for ‘formation of the heart’. During this Lenten season I invite everyone to look into their heart, see the things which might be closing our heart to God’s love and make a special effort to open ourselves up to the grace that God offers during this Lenten season. I ask that we:
Open our hearts to the love of God,
Open our hearts in charity and love for others,
Let our hearts be formed and shaped this Lent so that they can be more like the heart of Jesus.”
Archbishop Martin concluded, “For many years we have provided online resources to assist with our Lenten preparations which seek to guide us as we prepare spiritually for the joy and hope which comes with the Easter season. During this season of Lent, I invite everyone to visit and avail of the information provided on our website and on Facebook and to join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags #lent and #lent2015.”
The website catholicbishops.ie offers Lenten information and resources, which are also available on our new Facebook page:
· Pope Francis’ message for Lent on the theme “Make your hearts firm”(Jas 5:8).
· Lenten tweets from Pope Francis
· Lenten reflections which will be made available throughout Lent with the first one available for Ash Wednesday from Father Michael Drumm, chair of the Catholic Schools Partnership
· Prayers and Pastoral Letters for Lent
· Suggestions on observing Friday Penance during Lent
· Explanations of Lent and Lenten practices
· Events taking place in parishes and dioceses across Ireland during Lent
· Details of Trócaire’s Lenten Campaign for 2015 which focuses on northern Ethiopia and the suffering caused by ongoing drought as a result of climate change.
· Links to Find the Balance: Dare to Dream video profiling testimonies from young Irish people on alcohol moderation
