Welcome to our Lent specialty store.

A Brief History and Definition of Lent

The Germanic word Lent (lecten), which we use to denote the forty days' of preparation preceding the Paschal feast, originally meant simply the spring season. It has been used since the Anglo-Saxon period (9^th Century) to translate the more significant Latin term quadragesima, meaning the "forty days", or more literally the "fortieth day". This in turn imitated the Greek name for Lent, tessarakoste (fortieth), a word formed from the relationship to the word Pentecost (pentekoste), which had been used as a name for the Jewish festival before the time of Christ.

In the first three centuries of Christian experience, preparation for the Paschal feast usually covered a period of one or two days, perhaps a week at the most. Saint Irenaeus of Lyons (ca AD 140-202) even speaks of a forty-hour preparation for the Paschal celebration.

The first reference to Lent as a period of forty days preparation occurs in the teachings of the First Council of Nicea in AD 325. By the end of the fourth century, a Lenten period of forty days was established and accepted in the Church. Pope St. Leo (d. 461) exhorts the faithful to abstain they they may “fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the forty days.”

In it's early development Lent quickly became associated with the sacrament of baptism, since Easter was the great baptismal feast. Those who were preparing to be baptized participated in the season of Lent in preparation for the reception of the sacrament of baptism. Eventually, those who were already baptized considered it important to join these candidates preparing for baptism in their preparation for Easter. The customs and practices of Lent, as we know them today, soon took hold.

Adapted from the “Lent and Easter Wisdom” series and the Catholic Encyclopedia.

The fallen nature of man and tendency toward sin is a reality that has lost credibility of late. But for John Henry Cardinal Newman "Original sin became to me almost as certain as that the world exists, as the existence of God." Far from being the breaking of arbitrary and external laws, the author shows us that sin damages not only our relationship with God, but affects the deep bonds of …

My Confession Book is a little classic from 1958 that has assisted many children with their First Confession as well as with their subsequent Confessions. Boys and girls who use this book will receive wonderful help with making a careful Examination of Conscience in accord with the Ten Commandments, hhavingtrue sorrow for their sins, making a firm Purpose of Amendment, and remembering what to …

This set of Stations of the Cross poster set includes 15 pictures.  Each picture is 4in. x 6in.

Quizzes to a Street Preacher are 10 pamphlets on subjects people most often ask about the Catholic religion.  They are written by Fathers Rumble and Carty of Radio Replies Press fame, experts in the field of apologetics and convert-making (Father Rumble was himself a convert).  Each one is a 32-page, vest-pocket booklet of questions and answers that are brief, economically …

On Good Friday, 1979, a television crew visited St. Agnes Church in New York to tape a news piece. They were so enthralled by the speaker, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, they taped his entire talk. This long lost tape has been digitally remastered and is titled His Last Words. This is the Bishop at his best in a pulpit, not a TV studio. The Bishop's wit and wisdom transcend the years.

Stations Of The Cross - Stations Of Light Ann Ball The Stations Of The Cross - Stations Of Light takes you on a one-of-a-kind pilgrimage - from Christ's sentencing, to His death, to His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. With original meditations and artwork for the traditional Stations of the Cross as well as the new devotion known as the Stations of Light, or …

This gold-colored crucifix has the symbols of the four Evangelists on the arms of the cross and on the back are the Stations of the Cross.  The cross is 2 1/2in. high.  It does not come with a chain. 

At the very beginning of his famous spiritual classic The Imitation of Christ , Thomas a Kempis reminds the reader that in order to become a follower of Christ one must imitate his life, and, urging the reader to accomplish this, Thomas adds: "Let it then be our main concern to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ." Thomas firmly believed that whoever "meditates devoutely on the most holy life …

Father Giuseppe Riccioti, chaplain of his regiment, lay in a World War I field hospital, hovering between life and death. If he lived, he promised, he would use his expertise in Biblical languages and history to write a life of Christ. Yet it would be decades before he kept that promise. Only after he had laid the groundwork with a succession of books on related subjects -- and when he saw the …

Mary’s Way of The Cross Walking with the Mother of Jesus Translated and adapted by M. Jean Frisk, S. T. L. Prayer text by Irma Pfeifer Hymn text by Daniela Raab Unwavering in faith and love, Mary embodies the vocation entrusted to each one of us as disciples of Christ. Pray the Stations of the Cross alongside Mary, our Mother. Walk intimately with Christ as Mary did—in love’s covenant …

Fr. Christopher Rengers, OFM  

This 24 page booklet contains the Stations of the Cross-reflection on Jesus and His Mother.

The Fire in the Cloud Lenten Meditations By Fr. Francis Martin The Fire in the Cloud was God's glory that led the people of Israel in their Exodus through the desert. In Lent, which is our Exodus, God's glory leads us in Scripture, where his Word is the burning flame. Scripture scholar and teacher Father Francis Martin helps us respond to Christ, our Light, with insightful and inspiring …

Vincentini's immortal works of art vividly depict Christ's Passion.  Lithography in 7 colors.  14 pictures. Each picture is 12in. x 16in.

Fr. Francis Randolph Fr. Francis Randolph presents a very positive and practical understanding of the immense value of the sacrament of confession for the modern Catholic. Father Randolph helps the reader to see how the sacrament of confession meets the deepest needs of the penitent on the spiritual, emotional and psychological levels. Step by step we follow the different stages of the rite, …

Amy Welborn This new pamphlet inspires action and participation by explaining the connection between each aspect of Holy Week and the importance of the entire journey - not just what happens on Sundays.  It's practical: Explanations include the oils blessed at the Chrism Mass and what to do with a blessed palm.  It's also inspirational:  The connection between Jesus' journey and …

Pope John Paul II Jo Garcia-Cobb and Keith E. Cobb The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith.  In these meditations, Pope John Paul II shows us that the hope and joy of the resurrection is a tangible reality we can experience in our own lives.  Each chapter opens with a reflection and prayer that will help readers deepen their understanding of the resurrection …

Why Go to Confession? Archbishop Bruno Forte Do you find yourself asking why you have to go to Confession? Maybe you’ve asked why you have to tell your sins to a priest; and not directly to God? Perhaps you’ve wondered if sin even exists at all. The sacrament of Reconciliation can seem daunting and unpleasant to many busy Catholics. Archbishop Bruno Forte addresses common questions and …

Book Description:    Lent is a season of spiritual preparation for the great feast of Easter. Our goal is to meet the risen Lord Jesus who awaits us with outstretched hands. In these daily meditations, theologian and poet John Shea touches on the great themes of the season: The Cross The Eucharist Humility Courage Hope Sacrifice Prayer Repentance Forgiveness Healing and more. This …

Fr. Christopher Rengers , O.F.M. Cap. Nothing connected with the Passion and Death of Christ was purely accidental. And although Our Saviour was unquestionably the central Figure of Calvary, many other persons - by God's Providence - took part in the living drama of the first Good Friday. These persons too provide instruction for our own lives. In this book, Fr. Christopher Rengers draws …