Click on a headline below to read selected stories from the special 2009 Lent section which appeared in the Feb. 21 issue of Arkansas Catholic.
For more on how you can make the most out of your Lenten journey this year, visit the 2009 Lenten Resources page on the diocesan Web site.
Fasting out of love The 40-day penitential season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates in the Easter Triduum, the celebration of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. Christians observe Lent primarily through fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
Lent observance growing among other Christian churches Beginning Ash Wednesday, Catholics enter the 40-day penitential season of Lent, but they are not the only Christians to do so. In fact, a growing number of Christian denominations are incorporating Lenten observances into their Christian experience.
Spiritual direction can help people discern God's plan "Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to see and obey the real Director -- the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul." (Thomas Merton, Trappist monk)
Simple sacrifices help Operation Rice Bowl fight poverty, hunger Parishioners in the Diocese of Little Rock are asked to join fellow Catholics across the country in putting their faith into action through Operation Rice Bowl this Lent. The program, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, begins on Ash Wednesday.
