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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 82502 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-04-21 22:09:51 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-21 22:09:51 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow has launched a 9-day prayer series remembering our shepherd and beloved servant, Pope Francis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In this time of sorrow and mourning, we at Hallow wanted to offer a place for people to gather and pray for the Holy Father, that God may grant eternal rest to his soul.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We’ll spend time in silence, praying for the repose of his soul, and reflect on the story of his life and the themes of his pontificate, namely the virtue of faith, charity, love of the poor, the dignity of all human life, mercy, evangelization, and more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.com/collections/2171">Join in Prayer</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow also features Prayer Campaigns, where members of the Hallow community can share prayer intentions and invite others to pray for their specific needs. More than 17,000 people have already joined a <a href="https://hallow.com/campaigns/14268/">prayer campaign for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis</a> started by Hallow’s co-founder &amp; CEO, Alex Jones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Why are you afraid? Have you no faith’? Faith begins when we realise we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them…” - Pope Francis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> [post_title] => Prayers for Pope Francis [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => prayers-for-pope-francis [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-21 22:10:49 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-21 22:10:49 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=82502 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 81916 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-04-14 20:50:16 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-14 20:50:16 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>CHICAGO, April 14, 2025</strong> - Hallow, the #1 prayer app, today announced the release of Holy Week in the Holy Land, an immersive video prayer and meditation experience exploring some of the most sacred places on earth in the days leading up to Easter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Holy Week in the Holy Land will feature <strong>Jonathan Roumie</strong>, star of the hit TV show <em>The Chosen</em>, and biblical scholar <strong>Jeff Cavins</strong>, creator of the Bible in a Year plan, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane, Golgotha, the Sea of Galilee and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">They will even walk the Stations of the Cross – the very path where Jesus Himself walked, stumbled, and fell on Good Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The series comprises seven episodes and marks the first episodic content available on Hallow. Cavins’s Daily Reflections sessions, one of the most popular sessions on Hallow, are also available in video format.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While Cavins has led dozens of pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Roumie’s trip was his first experience walking where Jesus walked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Experiencing Holy Week in the Holy Land with Jonathan Roumie brought me to a new level of appreciation for the Passion of our Lord,” Cavins said. “My prayer is that through Hallow, thousands will capture a measure of just how much Jesus loves them and will receive the courage to pick up their cross and follow Him.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow proudly partnered with Castletown Media on Holy Week in the Holy Land, to help create a powerful series that visually captures the essence of the app’s innovative approach to prayer, meditation, and faith. The result is an immersive video experience, inviting audiences to deepen their prayer life as they journey through Holy Week. To learn more about Castletown Media, visit CastletownMedia.com.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>About Hallow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow helps people deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided prayers, sleep meditations, Bible readings, meditations, and music. The app has more than 10,000 sessions including a daily Rosary, daily Gospel, daily Saint, novenas, examens, Father Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year, The Chosen’s Jonathan Roumie’s audio Bible, Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons, peaceful Christian music, Gregorian chant, and so much more. Launched in December 2018, Hallow is now the number one Catholic app in the world with more than 850 million prayers completed across 150-plus countries and more than 23 million downloads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>About Castletown Media</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://www.castletownmedia.com/">Castletown Media</a> is an award-winning film studio founded in 2017. Through compelling story-telling, Castletown engages the mind, transforms the heart, and inspires the soul. Castletown Media most recently produced <em>Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist</em>, a Spirit Filled Hearts film, which was the highest-grossing faith-based documentary of 2024. <em>Mother Teresa: No Greater Love</em>, a Knights of Columbus film, which was the highest-grossing faith-based documentary of 2022. Later this month, they’re releasing <em>Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality</em>, which features Hallow’s CEO Alex Jones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Hallow Launches Immersive Video Series ‘Holy Week in the Holy Land’ [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => hallow-launches-immersive-video-series-holy-week-in-the-holy-land [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-14 20:59:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-14 20:59:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=81916 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 81581 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-04-11 20:22:37 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-11 20:22:37 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">During Pray40, “The Way,” we heard the remarkable story of Takashi Nagai and his wife, Midori Nagai. Their example is a powerful reminder of hope amid suffering and trusting in the will of God amidst devastating circumstances.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On November 9, 2021, the Archbishop of Nagasaki, Msgr Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, granted canonical imprimatur and permission to use and disseminate an official prayer to invoke their intercession and canonization.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Please join us in our efforts to pray for the continuation of the process for the beatification and canonization of Paul Takashi Nagai and Marina Midori Moriyama using the prayer below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">O merciful Father who never leave your children alone on the journey of life, we thank You for giving to all believers and to the whole world Paul Takashi Nagai and his wife Marina Midori.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Midori, after leading her bridegroom to friendship with You, in humble dedication to her vocation, showed him the way of perfect charity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Together, in trusting abandonment to Your will, they have given their face to the Good that Your Providence knows how to draw even from evil and have become the announcement of hope and testimonials of charity for the wounded people.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">After the death of his bride, walking in deep poverty of spirit, Takashi experienced in the atomic desert the tenderness of Your friendship and, witness of grace and of the hundredfold, he regenerated in his people the taste for life and the courage to rebuild.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Grant us all, through the intercession of these spouses, the grace to respond to our personal call to holiness and grant us, if it is to Your greater glory, the grace we are imploring (...) in the hope that these spouses may soon be counted among Your Saints.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Through Christ our Lord.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">IMPRIMATUR * Joseph Mitsuaki Takami, Archbishop of Nagasaki The 9th November 2021</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":81685,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4.11.25-Nagai-daughter-Kayano-right-with-her-daughter-kazuko-1990.png" alt="Nagai's daughter Kayano, right, with her daughter Kazuko in 1990." class="wp-image-81685"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nagai's daughter Kayano, right, with her daughter Kazuko in 1990.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":81676,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4.11.25-bedridden-nagai-researching-radiation.png" alt="A bedridden Takashi Nagai looking at a microscope" class="wp-image-81676"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A bedridden Takashi Nagai continues to studies the effects of A-bomb radiation.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":81667,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4.11.25-bedridden-nagai-with-two-children.png" alt="A bedridden Takashi Nagai with his two children" class="wp-image-81667"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A bedridden Takashi Nagai with his two children</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":81658,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4.11.25-Nagais-with-Makoto-and-their-relatives.png" alt="The Nagais posing for a photo with Makato and their relatives" class="wp-image-81658"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nagais with Makoto and their relatives</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>SEE MORE:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/a-song-for-nagasaki-takashi-nagai/">A Song for Nagasaki</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Prayers for Takashi Nagai and Midori Nagai [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => prayers-for-takashi-and-midori-nagai [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-11 20:51:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-11 20:51:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=81581 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3999 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2025-04-08 13:38:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-08 13:38:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Where, if not in the Divine Mercy, can the world find refuge and the light of hope?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Pope Saint John Paul II</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"id":25334,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Divine-Mercy-1920x960-v1-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-25334"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><meta charset="utf-8">The Divine Mercy Chaplet, also known as the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, is a powerful prayer in which we ask for God’s mercy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#what-is-divine-mercy-chaplet">What is the Divine Mercy Chaplet? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#why-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">Why do we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#when-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">When to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#How-to-Pray-the-Divine-Mercy-Chaplet">How to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Related-prayers">Related prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="what-is-divine-mercy-chaplet">What is the Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Origin of the Chaplet&nbsp;</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the 1930s, Jesus appeared to <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/faustina/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St. Faustina Kowalska</a>, a humble and kind Polish nun, and revealed to her the depths of His mercy. St. Faustina entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1925, but she passed away just thirteen years later from tuberculosis in 1938. Throughout her life of holiness, she continually received revelations from Jesus and diligently wrote down what He told her in her diary. St. Faustina was canonized by St. (Pope) John Paul II on April 30, 2000. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 1935, an angel appeared to St. Faustina, and she heard the call to pray for mercy. The next day, Christ appeared and urged her to pray the Chaplet herself and with others at the hour of death. She wrote down this revelation in her diary:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you. Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death. When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the Merciful Savior. Priests will recommend it to sinners as their last hope of salvation. Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this Chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in My mercy. Through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>St. Faustina's Diary</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Divine Mercy Chaplet can be prayed with traditional <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">Rosary</a> beads, though to do so isn't necessary. The Chaplet only takes a few minutes, and thousands of Catholics around the world pray it every day to ask for God's mercy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="why-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">Why do we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for mercy — in our own lives and in our neighbors, too. And we also pray to remind ourselves that we must rely on God; we must recognize our weakness and replace our anxieties and worries with abounding trust in God. We pray so that we might honestly live out the words "Jesus, I trust in You."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Those who sincerely say ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ will find comfort in all their anxieties and fears … There is nothing more man needs than Divine Mercy – that love which is benevolent, which is compassionate, which raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights to the holiness of God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Saint (Pope) John Paul II (Krakow, Poland - June 7, 1997)</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet">When to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You can pray the Chaplet at any time, but here are three times that are especially impactful when praying for God's mercy:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:columns --> <div class="wp-block-columns"><!-- wp:column {"width":"33.33%"} --> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:33.33%"><!-- wp:image {"id":8051,"width":"288px","height":"512px","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","align":"center","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-6-16-2021_story-8-copy-576x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8051" style="width:288px;height:512px"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pray the Divine Mercy Novena (pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for nine days straight) with Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, on Hallow. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></div> <!-- /wp:column --> <!-- wp:column {"width":"66.66%"} --> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66.66%"><!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>After Mass</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer that extends the offering of the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/eucharist-holy-communion-adoration-prayer/">Eucharist</a>, so it is especially appropriate to use it after receiving Holy Communion at Mass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Before the Feast of Mercy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Chaplet may be prayed at any time, but our Lord specifically told St. Faustina to recite it as a <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novena</a> during the nine days before the Feast of Mercy (the first Sunday after Easter). He then added: "By this Novena, [of Chaplets] I will grant every possible grace to souls." (St. Faustina's Diary, 796)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>At 3:00 </strong>p.m.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">3:00 p.m. is known as the “hour of great mercy” in remembrance of Christ’s death on the cross at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday. Similarly, people often pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/">Stations of the Cross </a>at this time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></div> <!-- /wp:column --></div> <!-- /wp:columns --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="How-to-Pray-the-Divine-Mercy-Chaplet"><strong>How to Pray</strong> the Divine Mercy Chaplet</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/how-to-block {"hasDuration":true,"minutes":"20","jsonDescription":"\u0026lt;meta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022\u003eUsing regular Rosary beads (or your ten fingers), follow this structure:","steps":[{"id":"how-to-step-1663344940083","name":["Begin with the sign of the cross. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Begin with the sign of the cross. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663344985079","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Prepare your heart and mind. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. "]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003ePrepare your heart and mind. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eYou expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. \u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345077797","name":["Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"On each of the three small beads, pray: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)"]}}],"jsonName":"Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eOn each of the three small beads, pray: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eO Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345192404","name":["Pray an Our Father."],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Pray an Our Father.","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eOur Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345224600","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Pray a",{"type":"strong","props":{"children":[" Hail Mary"]}},". "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003ePray a\u003cstrong\u003e Hail Mary\u003c/strong\u003e. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345239468","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Pray the Apostle’s Creed"]}},". "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/","children":["Holy Spirit"]}},", born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePray the Apostle’s Creed\u003c/strong\u003e. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eI believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/\u0022\u003eHoly Spirit\u003c/a\u003e, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345261637","name":["First decade"],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["On the first large bead:"]}}," in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/","children":["Our Father"]}}," for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["On the ten small beads: "]}},"In a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}}],"jsonName":"First decade","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn the first large bead:\u003c/strong\u003e in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/\u0022\u003eOur Father\u003c/a\u003e for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eEternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn the ten small beads: \u003c/strong\u003eIn a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eFor the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345699877","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Repeat this pattern f"]}},"our times. "],"text":["For each decade: begin with the ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["\u0022Eternal Father\u0022 "]}},"prayer, and then pray, ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["\u0022For the sake\u0022"]}}," ten times. "],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRepeat this pattern f\u003c/strong\u003eour times. ","jsonText":"For each decade: begin with the \u003cem\u003e\u0022Eternal Father\u0022 \u003c/em\u003eprayer, and then pray, \u003cem\u003e\u0022For the sake\u0022\u003c/em\u003e ten times. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345769448","name":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"After five decades, pray for mercy. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},"Repeat the following prayer three times: ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)"]}}],"jsonName":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eAfter five decades, pray for mercy. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003eRepeat the following prayer three times: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHoly God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345944623","name":["Close your time in prayer. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Let us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}}],"jsonName":"Close your time in prayer. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663345965525","name":["Conclude with the sign of the cross. "],"text":[{"type":"meta","props":{"charset":"utf-8","children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Conclude with the sign of the cross. ","jsonText":"\u003cmeta charset=\u0022utf-8\u0022/\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"}],"defaultDurationText":"Time needed:"} --> <div class="schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block"><p class="schema-how-to-total-time"><span class="schema-how-to-duration-time-text">Time needed: </span>20 minutes. </p><p class="schema-how-to-description"><meta charset="utf-8">Using regular Rosary beads (or your ten fingers), follow this structure:</p> <ol class="schema-how-to-steps"><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663344940083"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Begin with the sign of the cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663344985079"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Prepare your heart and mind. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us. </em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345077797"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Pray the prayer of St. Faustina. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/>On each of the three small beads, pray: <br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (x3)</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345192404"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Pray an Our Father.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345224600"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Pray a<strong> Hail Mary</strong>. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345239468"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>Pray the Apostle’s Creed</strong>. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/">Holy Spirit</a>, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345261637"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">First decade</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>On the first large bead:</strong> in the traditional Rosary prayer, we say the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/">Our Father</a> for each large bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following: <br/><br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.</em><br/><br/><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>On the ten small beads: </strong>In a traditional Rosary prayer, we pray the Hail Mary on each small bead. In the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we pray the following:<br/><br/><em>For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x10)</em><br/></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345699877"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/><strong>Repeat this pattern f</strong>our times. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">For each decade: begin with the <em>"Eternal Father" </em>prayer, and then pray, <em>"For the sake"</em> ten times. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345769448"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name"><meta charset="utf-8"/>After five decades, pray for mercy. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Repeat the following prayer three times: <br/><br/><em>Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (x3)</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345944623"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Close your time in prayer. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>Let us pray: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.</em><br/><br/></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663345965525"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Conclude with the sign of the cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><meta charset="utf-8"/><em>In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.</em></p> </li></ol></div> <!-- /wp:yoast/how-to-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On Hallow, you can pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet (10, 12, and 14-minute options) or the Divine Mercy Novena led by Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, which consists of praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for nine consecutive days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You may also be interested in praying the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-trust/">Litany of Trust</a>, written by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb">Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":8103,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/u5H4n94Bupb"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Copy-of-Copy-of-Night-Pray-Blog--1024x536.png" alt="" class="wp-image-8103"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We look forward to praying with you. May God’s mercy be with you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Related-prayers">Related prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-humility/">How to Pray the Litany of Humility</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">How to Pray the Hail Mary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/7-sorrows/">How to Pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/">How to Pray the Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Divine Mercy Chaplet/Divine Mercy Novena: How to Pray [post_excerpt] => Pray for mercy with the prayer Jesus gave St. Faustina in 1935. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2019/09/23/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ https://hallow.com/2020/05/01/how-to-pray-novenas/ https://hallow.com/2020/03/17/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/ https://hallow.com/2020/02/12/how-to-pray-our-father/ https://hallow.com/2022/01/19/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/ https://hallow.com/2021/02/10/7-sorrows/ https://hallow.com/2021/08/03/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/ [post_modified] => 2025-04-15 20:39:01 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-15 20:39:01 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=3999 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 76233 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-03-26 19:48:21 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-26 19:48:21 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Known as the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22496880-the-saint-of-nagasaki">Saint of Nagasaki</a> or the <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781531504984-003/pdf?licenseType=restricted&amp;srsltid=AfmBOoqTz7-BUPzmIS_gDpen0wHDwJPyeosPRdxXUMFtti8DG19AYiA-">Saint of Urakami</a> (the region of Nagasaki most directly impacted by the atom bomb), Takashi Nagai (永井隆) has not officially been canonized, but his work serving his community following the devastation of World War II has inspired Catholics around the world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/osservatore-romano/it/comments/2011/documents/073q01b1.html">Born near Hiroshima in 1908</a>, Nagai was an atheist as he pursued a journey towards becoming a doctor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Along the way, Nagai discovered the writings of Pascal, which challenged his views on the existence of God. He later was invited to attend <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-eve-mass/">Christmas Eve</a> midnight Mass by the Moriyama family, with whom he had been staying during his studies.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Nagai was struck by the roar of the congregation singing loudly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fr. Paul Glynn, author of <em>A Song for Nagasaki</em>, a biography about the like of Nagai, wonders…wonders "...was he disturbed because ordinary people could take an uncomplicated stand for goodness and truth, while he was a footloose academic and ethical dilettante who could not?”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He was also struck by Midori Moriyama, the daughter of the husband and wife who hosted him during his studies of radiology. The two eventually fell in love and planned to marry, despite his <a href="https://columban.org/magazine/doctor-takashi-nagai">warning her</a> “Remember, radiologists die young.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Nagai married Moriyama in August 1934, just months after he was baptized. The couple welcomed four children into the world, <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/602e278c0b8c3e5483f1dd2a/t/62386b2de0c04663ddc0151d/1647864628322/ENG-Takashi+Nagai.pdf">two of whom died as infants</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":76529,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Midori-and-Takashi-Nagai.png" alt="A photo of Midori and Takashi Nagai. Takashi is holding son Makato" class="wp-image-76529"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surviving-nagasaki">Surviving Nagasaki</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Nagasaki <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250453/takashi-nagai-catholic-doctor-and-nagasaki-atomic-bombing-survivor-continues-to-inspire-at-new-york-encounter">was home to</a> the largest Catholic community in Japan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Throughout his career Nagai worked with x-ray equipment, that at the time, did not shield well from radiation exposure. By the time World War II erupted, Nagai was diagnosed with leukemia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On August 9, 1945, the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb roughly 2,000 feet from where Nagai did his research at a hospital. He was badly injured but cared for those who flooded into the hospital. The blast wiped out approximately <a href="https://www.cathstan.org/us-world/u-s-catholics-invited-to-support-nagasaki-bell-project-as-a-sign-of-faith-and-solidarity-with-catholic-legacy-in-that-japanese-city">8,500 of the 12,000 parishioners</a> at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It took him two days to make it back to his home, where he found Midori’s lifeless, charred body, clutching a pair of rosary beads.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>RELATED:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/takashi-nagai-gods-will-and-the-atomic-bomb/">Takashi Nagai, God's Will and the Atomic Bomb</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action-in-the-aftermath">Action in the Aftermath</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The radiation from the blast worsened Nagai’s leukemia but he continued serving others impacted by the blast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When his own condition became nearly unbearable, he asked in prayer for the intercession of Maximillian Kolbe, whom he met years earlier. He was healed and continued to serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He also sought to help Japanese Catholics make sense of such a horrific experience, encouraging people to keep the faith and rebuild from the destruction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Nagai also led efforts <a href="https://www.osvnews.com/us-catholics-invited-to-support-nagasaki-bell-project-honoring-japanese-citys-catholic-legacy/">to recover the bells</a> from Immaculate Conception Cathedral, known affectionately as “Urakami Cathedral.” He helped find one of the cathedral bells and had it ringing again by Christmas, to provide hope and consolation to the community overrun with devastation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-song-for-nagasaki">A Song for Nagasaki</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The experience ultimately brought Nagai closer to God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“I walked with God in the ghostly desolation of Urakami and finally understood the depth of his friendship,” <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/602e278c0b8c3e5483f1dd2a/t/62386%22%202de0c04663ddc0151d/1647864628322/ENG-Takashi+Nagai.pdf">he said</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Driven by his faith, Nagai worked tirelessly to rebuild Nagasaki, contributing to projects that helped restore hospitals, schools, churches and libraries, famously helping to plant 1000 cherry trees to transform some of the destroyed land into a “Hill of Flowers.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“I want to bring life back to this dead place. I want to make it a blooming hill full of children smiling and singing,” <a href="https://columban.org/magazine/doctor-takashi-nagai">Nagai said</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When his cancer began to wither his body, Nagai shifted his advocacy toward writing. He was a prolific writer, most notable penning The Bells of Nagasaki, a book recounting his experience surviving the atomic bomb. It later became a movie in 1950 that, like most of Nagai’s work, focused on <a href="https://www.nippon.com/en/features/c02301/">reconstruction, healing, forgiveness and peace</a> as a path forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">He became the first person to receive the title Honorary Citizen of Nagasaki before dying on May 1, 1951 at 43. Approximately 20,000 people attended his funeral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 1988, the book <strong>A Song for Nagasaki</strong>, written by priest and missionary Paul Glynn, debuted. The powerful tale of Nagai’s life and works has been a moving read and inspired the faith lives of many for nearly 40 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div class="flourish-embed flourish-map" data-src="visualisation/21471953"><script src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/embed.js"></script><noscript><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21471953/thumbnail" width="100%" alt="map visualization" /></noscript></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-read-a-song-for-nagasaki">How to Read 'A Song for Nagasaki'</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In October 2021, The Archbishop of Nagasaki accepted and approved the request to open the two Causes of Beatification and Canonization, officially recognizing both Takashi Nagai and wife Midori as Servants of God.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This sparked a new wave of interest in Nagai’s story and introduced <em>A Song for Nagasaki</em> to a new generation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And the reviews speak for themselves:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“This a wonderful story on how to have faith, hope, and charity against all the odds, in the worst of circumstances. Dr. Nagai is a moral giant. The book is a one-sitting read; I couldn’t stop reading until finished.”&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“Once in a while, I find that I have read something so magnificent that it has a profound significance on my very soul. This is such a book.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“This book has touched my heart in a way that no other book has ever done before.”</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow partnered with Ignatius Press to create a special edition of A Song for Nagasaki for the <a href="https://hallow.com/pray40/">Pray40</a> challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://ignatius.com/a-song-for-nagasaki-snagp/">Buy A Song for Nagasaki today</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":76519,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/a-song-for-nagasaki-front.png" alt="" class="wp-image-76519"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The book cover for A Song For Nagasaki, about the life of Takashi Nagai</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> [post_title] => A Song for Nagasaki - The Life of Takashi Nagai [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => a-song-for-nagasaki-takashi-nagai [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-27 19:16:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-27 19:16:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=76233 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 80243 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-03-25 17:40:25 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-25 17:40:25 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow's Pray40 "The Way" brings to light the powerful testimony of the life of Takashi Nagai, a survivor of the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. Although there are points in this story that are difficult to hear, Pope Francis reminds us that looking at these gruesome events is vital to our pursuit of peace. In his visit to Nagasaki in 2019, Pope Francis stated, "This place makes us deeply aware of the pain and horror that we human beings are capable of inflicting upon one another." In this boldness to face these events, we can "turn to God with trust, asking him to teach us to be effective instruments of peace and to make every effort not to repeat the mistakes of the past." (Pope Francis, <em>Address on Nuclear Weapons</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="will" class=""><strong>How are we to understand these horrific events in light of a loving God? What part does God or God’s Will play in these events?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Takashi Nagai, a Catholic Christian convert, saw this tragic event in a startling way that challenges us to view our suffering in union with Christ on the Cross. His view is unique and powerful, emerging from his own loss in light of a loving God. In his speech during the memorial (Day 28 in our Pray40 "The Way" challenge), he spoke of the deaths of the Catholic Christians in Urakami and those widely across Nagasaki as having a holy purpose. His words should give us pause:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"I have heard that the atom bomb. . . was destined for another city. Heavy clouds rendered that target impossible, and the American crew headed for the secondary target, Nagasaki. Then a mechanical problem arose, and the bomb was dropped further north than planned and burst right above the cathedral. . . . It was not the American crew, I believe, who chose our suburb. God's providence chose Urakami and carried the bomb right above our homes. Is there not a profound relationship between the annihilation of Nagasaki and the end of the war? Was not Nagasaki the chosen victim, the lamb without blemish, slain as a whole burnt offering on an altar of sacrifice, atoning for the sins of all the nations during World War II?"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Takashi did not view the use of the atomic bomb as the will of God; instead, he viewed that since God allowed this terrible suffering on the people of Nagasaki, they should accept that suffering with a holy purpose—that through them, it could bring God's will for peace. For this reason, Takashi Nagai felt that the choice of Nagasaki as the site of the devastation was divine providence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It should be noted that Takashi Nagai was a layman and not someone trained as a theologian. He was a Catholic doctor who was trying to process and make sense of the horrors of war through the lens of his faith. For further understanding, we should turn to what the Church teaches about God and the problem of evil.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We know that God is all good. While He does not directly cause evil, He does allow it to happen. The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks to this reality in paragraph 324: “The fact that God permits physical and even moral evil is a mystery that God illuminates by his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit an evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil, by ways that we shall fully know only in eternal life.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The horrors of war and the events of the atomic bomb found in the story of Takashi Nagai challenge us to experience this mystery, sometimes in profound ways. For more on this topic, see the Catechism section (309-314), <a href="https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/catechism/#!/search/302-314/fn/308:172">On Providence and the Scandal of Evil</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="weapons" class=""><strong>So what does the Church teach on the use of Nuclear Weapons?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Paragraph 2314 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church states,</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>"Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation." (GS 80, 3) A danger of modern warfare is that it provides the opportunity to those who possess modern scientific weapons especially atomic, biological, or chemical weapons - to commit such crimes.”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In his visit to Nagasaki in 2019, Pope Francis stated, "One of the deepest longings of the human heart is for security, peace and stability. The possession of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction is not the answer to this desire; indeed they seem always to thwart it."&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Catholic Church takes a firm stance against the use of nuclear weapons and has been advocating for disarmament around the world:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"For her part, the Catholic Church is irrevocably committed to promoting peace between peoples and nations. This is a duty to which the Church feels bound before God and every man and woman in our world. We must never grow weary of working to support the principal international legal instruments of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, including the Treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons." (Pope Francis, <em>Address on Nuclear Weapons</em>, Nagasaki, 2019)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We at Hallow know the story of Takashi Nagai is hard for many to hear. Our hope is that in becoming aware of the horrors that attempt to destroy and thwart the desire for peace, we find union is God's desire for peace and, hopefully, become peacemakers in our communities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For further reading, view the <a href="https://www.usccb.org/resources/backgrounder-nuclear-weapons">USCCB Statement on Nuclear Weapons</a> and <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2019/november/documents/papa-francesco_20191124_messaggio-arminucleari-nagasaki.html">the speech of Pope Francis</a> during his visit to Nagasaki in 2019.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Takashi Nagai, God’s Will, and the Atomic Bomb [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => takashi-nagai-gods-will-and-the-atomic-bomb [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-25 21:28:23 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-25 21:28:23 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=80243 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 11136 [post_author] => 18 [post_date] => 2025-03-02 06:08:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-02 06:08:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ash-wednesday-2025-the-start-of-the-lenten-season">Ash Wednesday 2025: The start of the Lenten season</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><span style="font-size: revert; color: initial;">Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/lent-comes-to-reawaken-us-pope-francis/">Pope Francis</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Table of Contents</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#definition">What is Ash Wednesday? </a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Origin</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Do I need to be Catholic to receive ashes?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#date">When is Ash Wednesday in 2025?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#importance">Why is Ash Wednesday important? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#receiving-ashes">Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where do the ashes come from? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where do the ashes go? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>What do the ashes symbolize?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Where to get ashes near you</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#fasting-rules">Fasting on Ash Wednesday</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Why do Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday? </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Age requirement </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Meals</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayers">Ash Wednesday Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#observance">How else can I observe Ash Wednesday? </a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="definition">What is Ash Wednesday?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 2025, like in every year, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>. It always falls six and half weeks before Easter, beginning the Lenten season of preparation for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday this year takes on an even more somber tone due to the condition of Pope Francis. Christians around the world continue to pray for him as he battles his serious health issues that have kept him in critical condition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Last year on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszhKqN25mU">presided over a liturgy</a> that included the distribution of ashes. The Vatican has already announced that Pope Francis will not lead any liturgies on Ash Wednesday in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Origin </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dates</a> back to the 11th century. Yet, the tradition of receiving ashes has even earlier roots — to the ancient Hebrew custom of clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/ashwednesdayblog">Begin Lent with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Bible does not explicitly detail this first day of Lent, but there are many instances of this repentant act in the Old Testament, such as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+16%3A15&amp;version=NRSVCE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Job 16:15</a>, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and have laid my strength in the dust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><p><em>Job 16:15</em></p></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">and the New Testament, such as <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10%3A13&amp;version=NRSVCE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke 10:13</a>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><meta charset="utf-8">Luke 10:13</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Across many religious traditions, ashes signify the mortality of our human bodies. Genesis 3:19 tells us, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:pullquote --> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>By the sweat of your face<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;you shall eat bread<br>until you return to the ground,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;for out of it you were taken;<br>you are dust,<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and to dust you shall return.</p><cite>Genesis 3:19</cite></blockquote></figure> <!-- /wp:pullquote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">In the early Christian Church, public <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-go-to-confession-the-sacrament-of-penance-reconciliation/">penance</a> for people who had sinned including wearing ashes and sackcloth. As the Church grew and evolved, this practice lessened. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This long tradition — of externally recognizing ourselves as sinners seeking <meta charset="utf-8"><a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&amp;gid=609&amp;calcid=53508&amp;calpgid=61&amp;pgid=13299&amp;crid=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewal</a> with God — ultimately transformed into what we now know as Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-ash-wednesday-a-catholic-holy-day-of-obligation-in-2025">Is Ash Wednesday a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation in 2025?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday is <em>not</em> a <a href="https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-1246" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holy Day of Obligation</a> for Roman Catholics, yet receiving ashes is a universal practice among Christians to begin their Lenten journeys. Most Catholic parishes offer Ash Wednesday Mass, and in some places, it is possible to receive ashes without attending Mass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Do I need to be Catholic to receive ashes?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="date" class="">You do not need to be Catholic to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Several other traditions within Christianity also share this act of repentance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-is-ash-wednesday-in-2025">When is Ash Wednesday in 2025?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="importance" class="">This year, Ash Wednesday falls on March 5, 2025. <strong>SEE MORE:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/when-is-lent/">When is Lent in 2025?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why is Ash Wednesday important? </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday awakens us to Jesus’ entry into the desert preceding his death. Before Easter, however, we must prepare our hearts for his Resurrection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="receiving-ashes" class="">We begin our season of preparing our hearts for Easter by recognizing our brokenness and need for <a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?sid=1210&amp;gid=609&amp;calcid=53508&amp;calpgid=61&amp;pgid=13299&amp;crid=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conversion, </a>a turning of our hearts to God. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":11185,"width":"675px","height":"482px","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"center","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/photo-1589395937646-cc70671eca60.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-11185" style="width:675px;height:482px"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where do the ashes come from?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/palm-sunday/">Palm Sunday</a> is the Sunday before Easter. It symbolizes Christ’s return to Jerusalem after spending 40 days in the desert. In the Catholic tradition, we receive palm leaves, which have been blessed, to hold onto during Mass and bring home. The leftover palms from Palm Sunday are then burned and saved for the next Lenten season. So, this year’s ashes are from the palms of Palm Sunday of 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where do the ashes go?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It is typical to receive ashes on your forehead in the Sign of the Cross. Similar to taking communion at Mass, you usually process toward the altar to get ashes. The priest will make the Sign of the Cross and say one of two things:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return."</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>"Repent, and believe in the Gospel."</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What do the ashes symbolize?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The ashes symbolize our mortality. They are a physical reminder that our bodies will decay, but our souls will live on in eternal life. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fr. Antony Kadavil further <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2018-02/ash-wednesday-commentary.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflects</a> on the symbol of the cross of ashes on our foreheads, </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote" id="fasting-rules"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The cross of ashes means that we are making a commitment – that we are undertaking Lent as a season of prayer and penitence, of dying to ourselves. It also describes our human condition: it says that we are broken and need repair; that we are sinners and need redemption. Most importantly, it tells us that, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to carry our crosses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><meta charset="utf-8">Fr. Antony Kadavil</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Where to get ashes nearby </strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Most Catholic churches will expand their liturgical schedule on Ash Wednesday. There are many options for finding ashes on Ash Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow has a full breakdown for <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/where-to-get-ashes-on-ash-wednesday/">where to get ashes</a> for Ash Wednesday in 2025, including an interactive map that can help you locate a church to receive ashes from.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/ashwednesdayblog">Pray more. Find peace. Get Hallow.</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Fasting on Ash Wednesday</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">There are only two obligatory days of fasting and abstinence in the Catholic Church: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Catholics are also instructed to abstain from meat on each Friday during Lent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">What to Give Up for Lent</a> | <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">Lent Fasting Rules</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why do Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fasting is a sign of repentance and helps us embody our spiritual hunger for Christ, who himself fasted in the desert for forty days preceding his death and Resurrection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Age requirement</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Catholic Church <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-information-on-lenten-fast-and-abstinence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">requires</a> able members from age 18 to 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday. The obligation to abstain from meat applies to those 14 and older. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Meals </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="observance" class="">Fasting allows for one full meal and two smaller meals (that combined do not equal a full meal), with an expectation to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday. Exemptions are available for those with special physical needs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="prayers" class="">In certain situations, bishops can offer a formal dispensation, allowing Catholics to eat meat. This <a href="https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/catholics-can-eat-meat-during-lent-nj-bishop-says-were-sacrificing-enough-for-coronavirus.html">happened</a> in some dioceses during the initial outbreak of Covid-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ash Wednesday Prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday, as the first day of Lent, is a great time to begin a renewed commitment to prayer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ash Wednesday prayers can include <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">saying the rosary</a>, the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-lectio-divina/">Lectio Divina</a> or beginning with <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent prayers</a> for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How else can I observe Ash Wednesday?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to fasting and attending Mass (or a service where ashes are distributed), you can recognize Ash Wednesday through prayer and almsgiving—the other two pillars of Lenten observance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In prayer, consider listening to the Daily Gospel or engaging in Spiritual Writing to discern what you’d like to focus on in your relationship with Christ this Lent. If you’re not sure where to start, we guide you through both of these prayer methods, in addition to many others, on Hallow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Updated on March 2, 2025</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"opacity":"css"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> [post_title] => Ash Wednesday 2025 - The First Day of Lent [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => ash-wednesday [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2021/02/15/ashtag2021/ https://hallow.com/2019/09/23/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ https://hallow.com/2022/02/05/lent-prayers/ [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:02:13 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:02:13 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=11136 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 31186 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-03-02 01:53:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-02 01:53:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Along with prayer and almsgiving, fasting is one of the three pillars of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In a <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20071030_lent-2008.html">message for Lent in 2008</a>, Pope Benedict XVI described these as “specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">A decade earlier, <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/john-paul-ii/">St. (Pope) John Paul II</a> described Lent as a “commitment to a new life, inspired by Gospel values,” moving away from selfishness and drawing closer to the path Christ.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">That path, according to Pope John Paul II, can be summarized in the words of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, with fasting consisting of moderation in food and lifestyle as “a sincere effort to remove from our hearts all that is the result of sin and inclines us to evil.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Prayer and almsgiving may be easier to fully grasp than fasting, for which the Church has provided specific rules and guidelines to help shape our Lenten journey towards renewal. In 2025, Hallow’s <a href="https://hallow.com/pray40/">Pray40</a> Lent prayer challenge focuses on prayer, fasting and almsgiving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Here’s an overview of common questions about Lent fasting rules to guide your observance in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lent-fasting-rules-frequently-asked-questions">Lent Fasting Rules: Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-1675558433476","question":["What Is Fasting?"],"answer":["In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have."],"jsonQuestion":"What Is Fasting?","jsonAnswer":"In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558441583","question":["What are the Lent fasting rules?"],"answer":["On ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/","children":["Ash Wednesday"]}}," and ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/","children":["Good Friday"]}},", fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent."],"jsonQuestion":"What are the Lent fasting rules?","jsonAnswer":"On \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/\u0022\u003eAsh Wednesday\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/\u0022\u003eGood Friday\u003c/a\u003e, fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558449152","question":["What are the Lent rules on abstinence?"],"answer":["In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals."],"jsonQuestion":"What are the Lent rules on abstinence?","jsonAnswer":"In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558459616","question":["At what age do you start fasting for Lent?"],"answer":["Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance."],"jsonQuestion":"At what age do you start fasting for Lent?","jsonAnswer":"Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558478338","question":["Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?"],"answer":["Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast."],"jsonQuestion":"Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?","jsonAnswer":"Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558495217","question":["When is fasting over?"],"answer":["Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169","children":["Paschalis Solemnitatis"]}}," recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”"],"jsonQuestion":"When is fasting over?","jsonAnswer":"Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169\u0022\u003ePaschalis Solemnitatis\u003c/a\u003e recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”"},{"id":"faq-question-1675558511688","question":["Can you eat meat on Good Friday?"],"answer":["On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/","children":["Easter Triduum"]}},", which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. "],"jsonQuestion":"Can you eat meat on Good Friday?","jsonAnswer":"On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the \u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/\u0022\u003eEaster Triduum\u003c/a\u003e, which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. "},{"id":"faq-question-1675558535376","question":["Do Sundays count for fasting?"],"answer":["It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision."],"jsonQuestion":"Do Sundays count for fasting?","jsonAnswer":"It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558558032","question":["Are fish frys OK?"],"answer":["Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. "],"jsonQuestion":"Are fish frys OK?","jsonAnswer":"Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. "},{"id":"faq-question-1675558576655","question":["Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?"],"answer":["No. Abstinence refers to food. ",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html","children":["Some parish birth records"]}}," from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice."],"jsonQuestion":"Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?","jsonAnswer":"No. Abstinence refers to food. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ca href=\u0022https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html\u0022\u003eSome parish birth records\u003c/a\u003e from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558599376","question":["What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?"],"answer":["Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food."],"jsonQuestion":"What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?","jsonAnswer":"Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food."},{"id":"faq-question-1675558619663","question":["What are the fasting rules around alcohol? "],"answer":["The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. "],"jsonQuestion":"What are the fasting rules around alcohol? ","jsonAnswer":"The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. "}]} --> <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558433476"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What Is Fasting?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In the Catholic Church, fasting is a practice in self-discipline with a penitential focus. In the context of Lent, it refers to reducing food intake and limiting how many meals we have.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558441583"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the Lent fasting rules?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">On <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/">Ash Wednesday</a> and <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/good-friday-the-passion-of-christ/">Good Friday</a>, fasting rules allow Catholics to eat only one full meal and two smaller meals which, combined, would not equal a single normal meal. Additionally, Catholics may not eat meat on these two days–or on any Friday during Lent.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558449152"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the Lent rules on abstinence?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In this context, abstinence refers to “abstaining” from meat on Fridays during Lent. Whereas Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with just one large meal, Catholics must refrain from eating meat on other Fridays, though they can have three full meals.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558459616"><strong class="schema-faq-question">At what age do you start fasting for Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Those ages 18-59, in reasonable health, are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those 14 and older must abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Canon Law does mention that for young children not fasting, parents should still communicate the meaning and penance.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558478338"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Who is exempt from fasting during Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Children, adults with physical and mental illness, pregnant women and those nursing are all exempt. The USCCB stresses that “common sense should prevail” and that no one should jeopardize their health to fast.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558495217"><strong class="schema-faq-question">When is fasting over?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Lent ends on Holy Thursday, but Lenten fasting (and personal commitments) usually continues until Easter. Papal document <a href="https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/preparation-and-celebration-of-the-easter-feasts-2169">Paschalis Solemnitatis</a> recommends this in order that we “with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.”</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558511688"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can you eat meat on Good Friday?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">On the one hand, Good Friday is part of the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/">Easter Triduum</a>, which marks the end of Lent. However, since Good Friday itself is a day of abstinence, it’s best to abstain from meat, as in the Fridays of Lent. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558535376"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Do Sundays count for fasting?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">It’s been a custom for Catholics to give something up during Lent, in addition to the fastings and abstinence rules. Some keep their sacrifice continuously, but Sundays during Lent are not “prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.” Ultimately, it’s a personal decision.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558558032"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Are fish frys OK?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Since serves fish instead of meat, your local church fish fry is a fine option for Fridays during Lent. Because the Lent season is one rooted in penance, a modest meal at your parish is probably a better option than a lavish seafood feast at a fine restaurant. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558576655"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Does “abstinence” apply to sex? Do Catholics need to abstain from sex during Lent?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">No. Abstinence refers to food. <br/><br/><a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-25-me-35840-story.html">Some parish birth records</a> from the Middle Ages show that births declined nine months after Lent and rose nine months after Easter, so there may be some historical precedent for the practice.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558599376"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What can you drink on Ash Wednesday? What are the fasting rules around liquids like coffee?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Normal rules around fasting before receiving Communion (abstaining from food an hour before Mass) apply during Lent. Outside of that, there are no specific rules around liquids, so coffee, tea and soda are fine. A smoothie that constitutes a meal would probably count as food.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1675558619663"><strong class="schema-faq-question">What are the fasting rules around alcohol? </strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The Church does not specifically limit alcohol. A person’s personal discretion is best. </p> </div> </div> <!-- /wp:yoast/faq-block --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/lentfastingrules">Pray and Fast with Hallow this Lent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-helpful-lent-resources"><strong>More Helpful Lent Resources</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/what-to-give-up-for-lent/">What to Give Up for Lent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/where-to-get-ashes-on-ash-wednesday/">Where to Get Ashes on Ash Wednesday</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/holy-week-schedule/">Holy Week Guide</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Lent Fasting Rules: Catholic Rules for Fasting During Lent in 2025 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => lent-fasting-rules [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:09:23 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:09:23 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=31186 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 17160 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-03-01 03:32:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-01 03:32:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-table-of-contents-things-to-give-up-for-lent"><strong>Table of Contents</strong>: Things to Give Up for Lent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#prayer-fasting-almsgiving">Lent's 3 Pillars: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#kids-fasting">Fasting Ideas for Kids/Teens</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#adult-fasting">Fasting Ideas for Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#kids-prayers">Prayer Ideas for Kids/Teens</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#adult-prayers">Prayer Ideas for Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#almsgiving-ideas">Almsgiving/Donation Ideas for Kids and Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#catholic-charities">Catholic-Affiliated Charities</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="intro" class="">When <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/ash-wednesday/">Ash Wednesday</a> draws near, Catholics and other Christians seem to fall into two distinct groups when it comes to what to give up for <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The first group takes it down to the wire: Tuesday night, continuing an internal dialogue trying to figure out what Lenten sacrifice to make. It’s a conversation they have every year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">And it may includes lines you’ve said yourself in past years:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“I never know what to give up for Lent!”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The second group is dialed in on the start of Lent, ready to activate “Lent autopilot” and prepare to give up the same thing as last year. And two years ago. And <em>every</em> year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lent is more than just “giving something up” and <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">fasting</a> from meat on Fridays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">In fact, Pope Francis challenges us to think about fasting as something more powerful than we normally consider it, <a href="https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/02/26/190226d.html">describing it</a> as “learning to change our attitude towards others and all of creation, turning away from the temptation to ‘devour’ everything to satisfy our voracity and being ready to suffer for love, which can fill the emptiness of our hearts.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">How often do we get caught up in our own wants and needs, lose sight of the heart of the matter, and fail to embrace the true meaning of our lives in this world! Lent is a time of truth, a time to drop the masks we put on each day to appear perfect in the eyes of the world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2023/documents/20230222-omelia-ceneri.html">Pope Francis - Ash Wednesday homily in 2023</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">However, Lent can be an unhealthy time for those who struggle with scrupulosity, or it can be overwhelming to people who are already in a time of suffering. For some, the best Lent might be to make sure they get at least 7 hours of sleep or making the commitment to attend therapy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">At the start of Lent, we should ask ourselves - what pulls me away from loving God, loving others, and loving myself well? How can I incorporate acts of sacrifice, acts of giving, and acts of prayer that will help me love as God loves?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Giving thought to observing Lent is important. Whether you wait until the last minute to decide or you’ve known your Lenten sacrifice since <em>last</em> Lent, it’s worth spending time to thoughtfully consider how to make the most of your experience this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Because observing Lent is so much bigger than what you “give up.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/whattogiveupforlent">Commit to Prayer this Lent. Start Praying with Hallow.</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="prayer-fasting-almsgiving">Lent’s 3 Pillars: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we hunger–whether it be for food, technology, comfort–it can be a reminder that Jesus is the bread of life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>John 6:35</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we sacrifice things that this world tells us we need, it can remind us that only God can truly satisfy our spiritual hunger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lent’s three pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving–meaning that we’re called to do more than just abstain from a particular food or activity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It involves not only what we’re willing to give up, but what we’re willing to take on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we think about what to give up for Lent, we ought to also think about what sort of commitment to prayer and ability to be charitable that we can hold ourselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow provides numerous options for stepping up prayer during Lent. In the app, Hallow offers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Gospel reflections</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Rosary prayers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Daily Saint prayers</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-night-prayer/">Night Prayer</a> from Liturgy of the Hours</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">All of these options can help us commit to prayer during Lent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to fasting and prayer, almsgiving is equally important during Lent, helping us deepen our relationship with God while working to build God’s kingdom here on earth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pope Francis sums up the powerful impact that almsgiving has:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Charitable giving makes us more human, whereas hoarding risks making us less human, imprisoned by our own selfishness" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20191007_messaggio-quaresima2020.html">Pope Francis, Lent Message 2020</a></cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Anyone can practice almsgiving, which is not limited to simply donating money.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Rather, practicing almsgiving can also mean donating one’s time in service, perhaps volunteering or serving those in need. Jesus tells us clearly in Matthew 25:40 that in serving those in need, we are serving him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez recognizes, there are unique spiritual gifts to directly encountering Christ in those around us in need that we can’t experience by simply making a donation from afar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“So you say you love the poor? Name them.” - Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ideas for What to Give Up for Lent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">With the three pillars of Lent in mind, Hallow has suggestions for meaningful ways to observe Lent in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lent Fasting Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="kids-fasting" class=""><strong>Kids / Teen Fasting Ideas </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite toy or game&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fast from social media for a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite snack</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Drink only water at school&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up a favorite chair at home or seat at school</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go without headphones/air pods for a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Play your favorite game, focusing on helping others instead of winning</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Allow others to pass in front of you in the lunch line&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="adult-fasting" class=""><strong>General Ideas for Lenten Sacrifices</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up coffee (or only brew it at home)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up alcohol</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up certain social media sites, or limited them to certain days/time of day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give up electronics after a certain time in the day (i.e., no screens after 8 p.m.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sleep without a pillow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Wake up without hitting the snooze button</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shower without hot (with only lukewarm) water</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Keep the thermostat several degrees cooler&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Park in the back of the parking lot and say a prayer as you walk to the grocery store</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Abstain from reading gossip/rumor sites&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lent Prayer Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="kids-prayers" class=""><strong>Kids/Teen Prayer Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray on the way to school</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Play Guess the Saint each day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pick a relative each day and pray for that person&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Call a grandparent after church and discuss the Gospel/homily</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to bed five minutes early and spend extra time talking with God&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Research the name of your church and learn about its origins</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pay special attention to the intercessions at Mass and choose one to pray for during the week</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Explore <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-with-kids/">Hallow Kids</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to confession</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Research organizations that support Catholic youth like <a href="https://lifeteen.com/">LifeTeen</a> and <a href="https://nfcym.org/">National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="adult-prayers" class=""><strong>Adult Prayer Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Subscribe to a daily prayer newsletter (<a href="http://faith.nd.edu/s/1210/faith/interior.aspx?pgid=9441&amp;gid=609&amp;cid=21893">Notre Dame</a> and the <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/tNwi9GA">Jesuits</a> both offer good options)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Each morning, scroll through the contacts on your phone. Randomly stop and say a prayer for whichever person you land on</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spend a few minutes with Scripture each day&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Start the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/bible-in-a-year-with-father-mike-schmitz/">Bible in Year podcast</a> with Fr. Mike Schmitz on Hallow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend daily Mass once a week</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend or pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/">Stations of the Cross</a> every Friday&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Invite a friend to attend Mass with you&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Join the Bible study group at church</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Attend Adoration of the Eucharist</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Go to confession</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">Rosary</a> once a day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pray the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-examen/">Daily Examen</a> on Hallow</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Join Hallow’s <a href="https://hallow.com/pray40/">#Pray40 Lent Challenge</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="almsgiving-ideas">Lent Almsgiving/Charity/Donation Ideas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Kids/Teens/General Almsgiving Ideas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Spend time volunteering as a family</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Allow kids to be the one to place money in the basket during the offertory at Mass</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Introduce children to a charity and explain to them how and why to donate to it&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Have children identify a toy they are willing to donate to Goodwill</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Help children identify an article of clothing they can donate and explain that their donation can be a blessing to someone in need</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Create a jar to collect change to donate</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Donate food to a food bank</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Donate a service (free homework tutoring, free professional assistance, etc)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give a smile to someone you pass who may be living on the street (instead of ignoring them)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Follow new charities on social media and engage with their posts&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Support a business that advertises in your parish bulletin&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="catholic-charities">Catholic-Affiliated Charities to Consider Donating to</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://crosscatholic.org/">Cross Catholic</a></strong> - Supports clean water initiatives in some of Africa’s poorest communities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.catholicextension.org/">Catholic Extension</a></strong> - Works in solidarity with people in America’s poorest regions to build up strong Catholic faith communities.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.crs.org/">Catholic Relief Services</a></strong> - Carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="http://www.gabrielproject.org/"><strong>Gabriel Project</strong> </a>- Offers hope and assistance to any woman experiencing a crisis pregnancy.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.ncea.org/">National Catholic Educational Association</a></strong> - Strengthens Catholic school leaders and educators to help support the future of Catholic education.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.marysmeals.org/">Mary’s Meals</a></strong> - Provides meals to children in poverty, in recognition of Mary raising Jesus in poverty.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.kofc.org/en//index.html">Knights of Columbus</a></strong> - Fraternal service order of Catholic men that has been active since 1882.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/cpages/home">Young Catholic Professionals</a></strong> - Inspires and empowers young professional Catholics to work in witness for Christ.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/whattogiveupforlent">Pray with Hallow on Lent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>MORE:</strong> <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-prayers/">Lent Prayers for 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => What to Give Up For Lent in 2025: Practical Fasting Ideas for Lent [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => what-to-give-up-for-lent [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2022/02/06/ash-wednesday/ https://hallow.com/2020/03/17/how-to-pray-stations-of-the-cross/ https://hallow.com/2020/05/20/how-to-pray-with-kids/ [post_modified] => 2025-03-03 01:19:06 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-03 01:19:06 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=17160 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 77665 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2025-02-21 03:02:48 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-02-21 03:02:48 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Fasting and prayer have a strong connection, particularly during the season of Lent. Along with almsgiving (charity), fasting and prayer make up the pillars of <a href="https://hallow.com/lent/">Lent</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Ultimately, Christians seek to fast from sin; prayer and building our relationship with God, can also help us fast from a life of sin.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">There are standard <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/lent-fasting-rules/">Lent fasting rules</a> that Catholics follow, but many people fast during other liturgical seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While different diets have become popular in recent years, fasting is a spiritual practice, not a dietary one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">“Christian fasting is not concerned with losing weight,” <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year-and-calendar/lent/catholic-reflection-on-lenten-fasting">said Rev. Daniel Merz on the USCCB website</a>. “It is a matter of prayer and the spirit. And because of that, because it is truly a place of the spirit, true fasting may well lead to temptation, and weakness and doubt and irritation.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Perhaps Pope John Paul II said it best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Furthermore, fasting, that is, the mortification of the senses, mastery of the&nbsp; body, confer on prayer a greater efficacy, which man discovers in himself. He discovers, in fact, that he is "different", that he is more "master of himself", that he has become interiorly free,”<a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_19790321.html"> said Pope John Paul II</a>. “And he realizes this in as much as conversion and the meeting with God, through prayer, bear fruit in him.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Below are some prayers written by Hallow to help aid your spiritual journey of fasting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="http://Prayers to pray while fasting.">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayers-for-fasting-at-the-start-of-lent-nbsp">Prayers for Fasting at the start of Lent&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, may my small sacrifice open a space in my heart for You to fill. As I begin this Lenten journey, give me strength to be consistent in my fasting as I give up (name what you are giving up for Lent). May I think of Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, to strengthen me in the days ahead. In His name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Heavenly Father, on Ash Wednesday, we are reminded “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” May I be filled with the spirit of humility as I embark upon my Lenten sacrifice. As I fast from food and (name what you are giving up for Lent), I pray that this small sacrifice reminds me that You are in control. May it help me trust in You more, reminding me that You offer us true food and true drink–and the promise of heaven. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prayers-for-fasting-from-food">Prayers for Fasting from Food</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">God of all creation, I come before you today in solidarity with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are fasting today. I pray that as my hunger increases, so may my faith. As my diet lessens, so may my doubt in You. As my body aches for its next meal, may my soul long even more intensely to be filled with Your spirit. You are all I need. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, as I fast today, I pray that you lift up my brothers and sisters who will go hungry today and who struggle to eat on most days. In my own fasting, strengthen me to serve my brothers and sisters. May my fasting make me better appreciate what I have and renew my commitment to feeding the hungry. In Your name I pray. Amen.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">God, may my fasting unite me with You. May my fasting help me surrender myself, my day, and my life to You. May the sacrifice I’m making not fill me with pride, but instead, humility and a greater dependence on You. I love You, Lord. Be with me now and always. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general-fasting-prayer-for-any-time">General Fasting Prayer for Any Time</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Lord, in my fasting, may I detach from the comforts, sins and temptations of this world and unite myself to Christ. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="http://Prayers to pray while fasting.">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fasting-in-the-bible">Fasting in the Bible</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The roots of fasting date back to the Bible and trace all the way through the Old and New Testaments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We hear of the merits of fasting early on in the book of Tobit:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Prayer with fasting is good. Almsgiving with righteousness is better than wealth with wickedness. It is better to give alms than to store up gold, for almsgiving saves from death, and purges all sin. Those who give alms will enjoy a full life, but those who commit sin and do evil are their own worst enemies." (Tobit 12: 8-10)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Isaiah also mentions fasting extensively:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:6-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The clearest example of fasting in the Bible, however, comes from Jesus and His fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry." (Luke 4:1-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Early Christians practiced fasting, and it’s been a constant practice in the Church ever since.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself” - <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/lent/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20081211_lent-2009.html">St. Peter Chrysologus </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources-from-hallow">More Resources from Hallow</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/what-to-give-up-for-lent/">What to Give Up for Lent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-strength/">Prayers for Strength</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Prayers for Fasting: Fasting Prayers for Lent and Other Times [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => prayers-for-fasting [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-05 03:27:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-05 03:27:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=77665 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 77036 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2025-02-13 02:06:13 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-02-13 02:06:13 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow would like to congratulate the winners of the 2025 <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/catholic-schools-week/">Catholic Schools Week</a> Praylist Challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Three schools that that participated in praying the Catholic Schools Week praylist won a prize of $1,000 each for finishing with the most completed prayers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Boylan Catholic High School (Rockford, Ill.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. John the Evangelist School (St. John, Ind.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LaFayette Central Catholic School (Lafayette, Ind.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Another three schools won a Hallow-catered party:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. Mary’s School (Annapolis, Md.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Magdalen Catholic School (Wichita, Kan.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>St. William the Abbot Catholic School (Seaford, N.Y.)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">More than 100 schools in total participated.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">To learn more about how Hallow partners with schools, visit <a href="https://hallow.com/hallow-for-schools-plans/">https://hallow.com/hallow-for-schools-plans/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resources-for-teachers">More Resources for Teachers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/back-to-school-prayers-for-teachers/">Back to school prayers for teachers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/scripture/bible-verses-for-teachers/">Bible verses for teachers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-strength/">Prayers for strength</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Hallow Announces Catholic Schools Week Contest Winners [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => hallow-announces-catholic-schools-week-contest-winners [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-02-13 14:31:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-02-13 14:31:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=77036 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )