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.

Pope Benedict XVI Let us walk with Pope Benedict XVI through 40 days of Lent, turning away from the distractions of daily life to rediscover the significance of the birth and death of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of Jesus for CHristians everywhere.  Memorable themes include: the mystery of Mary; the sign of Jonah; prayer as the center of the life of Jesus; Easter, Pentecost, and the …

The Seven Last Words Of Christ - A Bible Study On Jesus' Passion Rich Cleveland This Lent, meditate and pray with Jesus as he endures the cross. Learn to pray with Jesus, "Father, forgive them..." and hear his comforting words, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." This bible study will draw you closer to Jesus' Passion so that the real meaning of Easter comes alive!

Do you really make proper use of Lent? Pre-Vatican II Catholics had more help in using Lent properly. Not just the more rigorous disciplines, but sounder preaching and a wealth of solid spiritual books -- such as this magnificent treasury of Lenten wisdom compiled from the sermons of St. Thomas Aquinas. Now it’s back in print for the first time in 60 years. In the simple, non-technical …

These beautiful posters were illustrated by Patricia Mattozzi. This set of 15 posters are the full color illustrations of each station depicted in the Stations of the Cross for Children book. There are the 14 stations plus the illustration of the risen Lord. As children walk with Our Lord, they begin to better see how He walks with them at home, at school, every day.

Lent, the season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter, is for many Catholics a special time of prayer, fasting, and renewed spiritual focus. There is no other period in the liturgical year that so completely draws our attention to the things of God, and to the great themes and traditions of Christianity. The Essential Lenten Handbook provides everything readers need for a richer …

Mel Gibson has based his movie, "The Passion of the Christ" on this book! Sister Emmerich's account of the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, while faithful to the Bible, is heart-rending, edifying and surprising because of its intimate detail. Based on the visions of this great mystic, The Dolorous Passion recounts in incredible detail the horrendous sufferings undergone by …

This coloring book about Easter has pages about Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter and Easter Customs.  It is a good way to introduce young children to the greatest feast of the Catholic Church.

Fulton J. Sheen This classic work from the pen of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen brings together Christ’s Sermon on the Mount with his Seven Last Words. From the Mount of the Beatitudes to the Hill of Calvary, Our Lord’s public ministry and statements centered on the themes of love and forgiveness, which are explored here with Archbishop Sheen’s characteristic insight and passion. Although there …

Fr. Christopher Rengers , O.F.M. Cap. Few Christians can recall all Seven of Our Lord's Last Words on the Cross. Yet these "Seven Words" - brief sentences spoken by Him - give us Our Saviour's sacred parting instructions, messages intended not only for their few immediate hearers on the hill of Calvary, but spoken to all generations by way of Holy Scripture. For nothing that Our …

What the Gospels don't reveal about Christ's suffering, science does. The Gospels reveal only the barest essentials about the physical sufferings of Our Lord. But in this mind-opening book, Dr. Pierre Barbet relies heavily on his close analysis of the Holy Shroud of Turin to recreate every stage of the Passion with heart-rending precision and detail. The result: a minor classic of spirituality …

The haunting score to The Passion of the Christ was written by John Debney and features vocals by Mel Gibson. Click the track name below to listen to a sample: The Olive Garden (1:56) Bearing The Cross (3:43) Jesus Arrested (4:37) Peter Denies Jesus (1:59) The Stoning (2:22) Song Of Complaint (1:33) Simon Is Dismissed (2:25) Flagellation/Dark Choir/Disciples (5:50) Mary Goes To Jesus (2:47) …

Many Catholics avoid the Sacrament of Reconciliation simply because they don't remember how to confess their sins. They simply don't know what to say and are too embarrassed to ask. How to Make a Good Confession , the newest pamphlet from Our Sunday Visitor, gives Catholics those words, describing the actions and responses for each step of the sacrament. It also serves as a practical guide to …

Catherine and Peter Fournier This is an illustrated book full of wonderful activities for children and families to help better understand and celebrate the Lent and Easter seasons. This large size, spiral bound volume is the perfect book for families to learn together and share the traditions of this important time of the liturgical year. Filled with a variety of family activities, saint’s …

This guidebook was prepared particularly for your children between 9 and 13 years old. It is fully illustrated and simple in approach to make it interesting and easy reading for a child.  It explains the meanings of sin, Confession, and Penance; and how to prepare oneself for a good Confession. Encourage the child to make a thorough examination of  conscience before going to …

Fr. John Corapi, S.O.L.T. One of the most powerful preachers in the Church today delivers a 3-part series from EWTN on the profound spiritual significance of the incredible events of Holy Week. He presents an in-depth look at Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, inspiring us to enter more deeply into this most solemn period of the Church's liturgical year. You will be enriched with a …

The companion volume to Characters of the Passion and The Cross and the Beatitudes This inspirational classic from one of the most popular and bestloved Catholic prelates of the 20th century interprets the relationship between the seven recorded words that Our Blessed Mother spoke in the Gospels and the seven last words of Jesus as he hung on the cross. From Cana where Mary set the stage for …

The sacrament of reconciliation and penance is one of the great helps to friendship with God and spiritual progress. This booklet advises on ways to prepare for confession -- a necessary step to making a good confession and avoiding the routine which can so easily creep into religious practice.

One of St. Joseph Communications all-time bestsellers just got better! Doug Barry's tour-de-force one-man performance of the Meditation on the Passion of Christ has been moving audiences to tears and sending thousands to the confessional for years. Filmed before a live audience with multiple camera angles and music from Eric Genuis, St. Joseph Communications' high-quality production has been …

This Volume II Liturgy of the Hours in the 4-volume set has a red vinyl cover with a stylized Chi Rho Symbol imprinted in the center and red edging on the pages.  The spine has gold lettering and reads: "The Liturgy of the Hours, II, Lenten Season, Easter Season". Comes with a five ribbon marker in red, yellow, blue, green and purple.

Benedict Baur Frequent Confession presents convincing and strong evidence for the benefits of frequent reception of the sacrament of Penance for the health and growth of the spiritual life of all faithful. "To win the battles of the soul, the best strategy often is to bide one's time and apply the suitable remedy with patience and perseverance."  So wrote St. Josemaria Escriva, the …