During my first year as Director of Adult Catechesis in the Catechetical Office, I was contacted by one of our pastors in Staten Island regarding a Lenten Program which three pastors, working together, could offer to their parishioners. Their wish was to move from parish to parish during the series. They were also looking for a speaker or speakers for the series (six evenings).

          As the conversation progressed it became clear to me that this could be right up my alley.
Three pastors wanted to do something together for Lent. Whatever it was, they envisioned their
Parishioners moving form parish to parish during the series. From the outset, I told him that I’d love to do something but that I didn’t have time to prepare six workshops. I took myself to Staten Island and met with them over dinner. As the conversation moved along I proposed that we do something within Vespers.

          The program was developed and the basic structure was as follows:

There were six evenings. We used the same Vespers each week. Over the six weeks it really became ours. Since I didn’t know if there would be a singer or musician, I chose melodies that I was very comfortable with. The basic structure was as follows:
Stand with Traditional Opening - + God, come to my assistance. Etc.
Evening Hymn – Jesus, Remember Me [Taize]

Sit for Evening Psalm 141 with someone form the group putting incense on the coals.
Antiphon was sung. A solo reader read verses.

Psalm 51 – melody form St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN.
The psalm was followed by a substantial silent pause.

Assembly recited antiphon; a solo reader read Verses.
New Testament Canticle – 2 Corinthians or Colossians 1:12-20 [alternated] was
recited by the solo reader.
The psalm was followed by a substantial silent pause.

Reading from Sacred Scripture

Homily by Brother Francis. This consisted of some brief reflections and then a
discussion right there in church. When the discussion began to lag a little I would
summarize and call us back to prayer and the Magnificat.. The reflection and the
discussion might take about forty minutes.

Stand for the Canticle of Mary – Antiphon was recited by all
We used the text by Sr. Anne Carter, RCSJ and the ‘Amazing Grace’ melody.
A member of the group put additional incense on the coals.

The Intercessions followed with the Lord’s Prayer, Closing Prayer and Dismissal. On Ash
Wednesday we distributed Ashes just before the dismissal. There was no closing song. In two out of three churches we then gathered for coffee and cake. In the other church we just chatted
and said good-bye.

The first was a Service of Ashes with Reflection: The Lenten Call Joel 2. This was held on Wednesday. All of the other gatherings took place on Thursdays.
The second was with a reflection on Prayer as the Conversation of Lovers..
The third was with a reflection on the Initiation/Baptismal theme,
The fourth was with a reflection on Saint Joseph as formator of Jesus.
The fifth was with a reflection on the Incarnation as great mystery and as affirmation of
our humanity by God.
The sixth was a reflection on the Triduum…The Three Great Days.

The series was simply wonderful. This discussions/sharings were animated and informal. We became familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours as the prayer of the whole church. Community grew among the three parishes. The pastors attended each evening. It was a very prayerful Lenten Program that both educated adults and touched their hearts. Yet it was basically relatively easy to prepare for. That was a blessing for a busy Director.