We’re unwrapping the goodies in our box of resources for the journey of Lent! Whether you are able to participate in the public celebrations or have to remain at home, we hope these resources will help you to be be drawn deeper into the Mystery of Christ’s saving Death and Resurrection, as we journey together, travelling companions along the way – for Lent, for Life!
For Life, for Lent
A witness in the window
Witness to the world that Lent and Easter are important to you, with our A3 window posters!
Ash Wednesday
As many of us will gather for Mass on the evening of Ash Wednesday, we know that others will be unable to join us but you can still begin Lent in a penitent spirit with our prayer sheet.
The Way of the Cross
With images of the Stations of the Cross at St Mary’s accompanied by a bible verse and brief words by Fr Dean, this little A6 booklet is a colourful and reflective companion as we make the Stations of the Cross – wherever we are!
During Lent, the Stations of the Cross devotions take place at St Mary’s every Tuesday evening at 6.30pm.
On the frontline
Our Lenten Charity this year is Christian Aid, supporting women like Faith who are fighting Climate change in their own communities. People living in poverty are on the frontline of the climate crisis and so we stand together with them to fight for justice. You’ll find a Christian Aid Charity Envelope in our pack, and our Lenten offerings will be presented at the altar on Maundy Thursday when we recall the Mandatum of Jesus to serve and love one another. What are you giving up this Lent? And how can your fast be a feast for the poor?
Prayer companion
A selection of lovely prayers and images from St Mary’s Church in a pocket sized A6 booklet. A lovely companion for Lent!
Daily Mass, daily prayer
We celebrate Mass each day at St Mary’s – it’s food for the journey. During Lent we offer each Mass for a particular local intention, bringing our parish in prayer to God at the altar. Whether or not you are able to attend Mass during the week, perhaps each daily intention offered at St Mary’s can be offered by you, too – wherever you are!
Sunday Word
A small booklet which provides the readings for Mass each Sunday during Lent. If you’re unable to attend Mass, perhaps you can use these readings when making a Spiritual Communion at home.
Book-Mark!
The Gospel according to St Mark has been described as ‘a Passion narrative with an introduction’ so it’s an ideal companion for Lent! Our Bible Book-Mark provides suggestions for bible readings each day so that we can book-Mark’s gospel from start to finish during the 40 days of Lent.
Palm Cross and ‘Sul y Blodau’ prayers
Palm Crosses are distributed and blessed on Palm Sunday but we’re also including a Palm Cross in our box of resources, along with prayers for visiting a cemetery and the graves of loved ones on Palm Sunday, also known as ‘Sul y Blodau’, Sunday of the Flowers.
Anthems to the Blessed Virgin Mary
A lovely little leaflet with traditional prayers and anthem to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and featuring Marian images from St Mary’s Church. The Angelus Bells ring out here three times a day. Perhaps this beautiful litany can become part of your daily pattern of prayer, too?
The Passion at St Mary’s
The walls of St Mary’s are rich with images of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. This leaflet explores some of those images, and also publishes the details of our Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
This is the Night
Holy Week and Easter is at the heart of our life together. This little companion uses the words of the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) sung at the Easter Vigil celebrations to reflect on Palm Sunday and the great three days (Triduum) of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and includes photographs and images of previous Holy Week celebrations at St Mary’s.
Meditations on the Mass
For each of the forty days of Lent, we’re posting a Meditation on the Mass, a reflection on the Eucharist, and exploring why it’s the most important act of Christian worship. Our resource box for the journey includes a taster with the first reflection to be published on Ash Wednesday. The reflections can be read each day at www.daybydaystmaryscf10.com The link will be shared each day on Twitter and Facebook! We also provide a daily prayer post which features a reading from the daily Mass.
Rosary | ‘On this Mountain’
The rosary is hands on prayer! Our resource box contains a small rosary along with a booklet of reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary. ‘On this Mountain’ was printed some years ago now, and takes inspiration from the Shrine of Our Lady of Penrhys in the Rhondda.
Standing in the Wings
Another blast from the past, a copy of Standing in the Wings with meditations on the Stations of the Cross.
Colour me in!
Why should children have all the fun?! Colouring can help us to relax – and so we’ve included a few Christian colouring sheets for adults, which have been made freely available online. Enjoy! Relax! Get colouring!
Such love
The boxes will be distributed on Sunday 14th February (a loving gift on Valentine’s day!) and also delivered to members of our congregations who have been unable to gather with us.
Whether alone or together we are united in Christ’s love. During Lent, we’d love your feedback on the contents of our resource box. Meanwhile, we continue with our daily pattern on prayer and worship here at St Mary’s, and we’ll continue to enrich our online presence with daily posts!
St Mary the Virgin, Cardiff 