"For dust you are and to dust you shall return..."

PRAYER

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Lenten Greetings from Saint John's Seminary

Dear Friends,

This is the first in a series of emails you will receive from Saint John's Seminary, wishing you a blessed Lent and Easter season. It is our aim to provide valuable Lenten resources for our constituents, as well as a glimpse into how our seminarians - your future parish priests - celebrate this most Holy season. We invite you to include the seminarians here at Saint John's in your Lenten observances over the next forty days by praying for them, fasting with them, and incorporating them into your almsgiving with a symbolic gift of support towards their formation and education.

May our Lenten observance rely on the renewal God is working in us all - making us aware of our need for conversion and repentance, and more importantly directing our attention towards greater union with his Son, and motivating us toward greater love and concern for our neighbor.

Learn more below and visit sjs.edu/lent to meet the very seminarians who pray for you each day!

Wishing you God's blessing and peace,

Rev. Stephen E. Salocks '80

Interim Rector, Saint John's Seminary

Support Your Future Priests with a Lenten Gift

(choose “Other” and write "LENT 2019" in the box. Thank you!)

Prayer for Ash Wednesday

God of goodness and mercy,

Hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love.

May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace.

Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day.

Amen.

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A Lenten Prayer for Vocations

Lord God,

who calls us to grow more like Christ in all we do and are;

in this season of Lent, give us a deepening of our own sense of vocation and ministry,

and help us to see where we can best use the gifts and talents you have given us.

Enable us to identify and nurture all those you are calling into leadership in your church

and especially those men you have chosen to be ordained.

May we all be united by your Spirit in our desire to grow your kingdom,

to share in ministry and to serve the people of our dioceses;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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Our Seminarians Answer: What does Lent mean to you?

"For myself, Lent is a time to do some spiritual cleaning in my life by removing things that have become distractions. It is a time of repentance and preparation for the greatest act of love the world has ever seen: Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection."

-Daniel Mahoney, 2nd Theology, studying for the Diocese of Providence, RI

“Lent is about clinging to Christ and learning from him how to carry the cross well.”

-Daniel Zinger, 3rd Theology, studying for the Archdiocese of Boston

"Lent for me is uniting ourselves in loving sacrifice to the sacrifice of Jesus; in preparation for the celebration of His resurrection."

-Fernando Ayala, 2nd Theology, studying for the Archdiocese of Boston

We invite you to incorporate the seminarians into your Lenten almsgiving by making a gift linked symbolically to the 40 days of Lent. Popular amounts in the past have been $2/day, $5/day, or $25/day, to join our Leadership Circle - or simply choose what feels right for you.

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