Your Lenten journey planner

Banner with an image of three crosses on a hill at sunset. Text reads 'Come back to me with all your heart'

How it works

Working hard and juggling commitments shouldn’t mean you miss out on spending time with God! That’s why we’ve designed a Lenten journey that fits with you. The idea is to make space for prayer, abstinence, charity, scripture and, most importantly, the Sacraments, in a way that is entirely manageable and possible in our busy world. By creating flexible bites of prayer and action, we hope you’ll be able to engage fully with this important season. 

Download your planner here>>

All the links, resources, ideas, and films you need to make your Lenten journey as simple as possible can be found below. Here’s an example of how to use your planner (although the possibilities are almost endless – you can fill it in however you choose!):

 

Each week, download and print your free printable planner – one for each week of Lent. Choose which days to focus on each action:

  • Give something up (use our suggestions on the next tab, or think up your own)
  • Do something extra (use our suggestions on the third tab, or think up your own)
  • Reconciliation meditation (click on the videos below)
  • Read scripture (choose your own or click on the ‘Read Scripture’ tab)
  • Watch a story about the lives of Missionaries we support overseas (click on the films below)
  • Share our message – on your social media, by word of mouth, in Church (click the social media icons below to follow our channels)  
  • Pray with others: go to Mass or, if you can’t get to Mass, join a livestream online (click on the ‘Pray with others’ tab to access useful information and links)

3. Pray every day – there’s always time for a Hail Mary, an Our Father or a Glory Be.

  • Make your Lenten abstinence a way of creating space for hope by giving up…

    • gossip & unkind speech
      Give up words that wound, exclude or belittle. This Lent, choose language that builds others up – especially when they’re not present.
    • negativity & cynicism or ‘doom-scrolling’
      Give up habitual complaining or despairing talk about the world or the Church. Ask instead: Where is God already at work here? How can I bring hope?
    • mindless scrolling & noise
      Give up scrolling without purpose. Let silence return – even briefly – so God’s voice and the needs of others can be heard.
    • speaking without listening
      Give up the need to have the last word. Practise attentive listening, especially to those whose experiences are often overlooked.
    • indifference or overwhelm in the face of injustice
      Give up the temptation to look away from suffering or marginalisation. Stay present, informed and prayerfully engaged.

  • Sow good words and real hope by giving…

    • support for the Red Box
      Make the Red Box a focus this Lent – perhaps placing in it the money saved from giving up your treats or habits. You’ll be astounded by how much a little bit of loose change can raise! If you don’t have a Red Box, you can donate here>>
    • your time: volunteer with Missio
      Give your time as a Red Box Local Secretary or appealer, helping connect parishes and communities with the global mission of the Church. Click here to find out how to get involved>>
    • a platform: amplify marginalised voices; speak words of hope
      In response to Pope Leo’s call, ask God to help you become a ‘sower of good words’ – someone whose speech brings encouragement, truth and peace. Use your social media to share stories of hope and inspiration – perhaps to celebrate missionaries and the communities they support.
    • support to the future of our Church
      Sponsor a seminarian or contribute to the formation of priests, religious and lay catechists serving some of the world’s poorest communities. Could you start a parish sponsorship group this Lent? Find out more here>>
    • your presence, not just money
      Visit someone who is lonely; accompany a refugee family or offer consistent support to someone who feels unseen.
  • Pray the Mission Rosary each week
    Unite your prayer with Catholics around the world, reflecting on the needs of different continents and peoples. Join us each Monday for our prayer focuses by following the Mission Rosary tag.
  • Walk the Stations of the Cross
    Use Missio’s Stations of the Cross, connecting Christ’s suffering with the pain and hope of today’s world. Please hold all who are suffering in prayer and ask Jesus to be near to them. Find our Stations of the Cross here>>
  • Daily prayer for mission
    Pray intentionally each day for missionaries, local Churches and communities facing poverty, persecution or isolation.
  • Scripture as a call to action
    Return to the Word this Lent: read a short Gospel passage daily and ask How does this send me out to others today? Find the Sunday Gospels here>>
  • Read to nurture the soul: 
    In this Year of Reading, consider expanding your spiritual and prayer life and coming closer to God through literature. Use our reading list and tips to read more for inspiration. Find it here>>

Missio depends on the donations and prayers of the faithful to support the work of missionaries around the world. We are so grateful when people share our message – whether that’s clicking share on a Facebook post or speaking at Mass. Every little and large contribution helps, and we can help you every step of the way. Find all the ways to help share our message, whether you have five minutes or plenty of time on your hands.

Click here for all the inspiration you need>>

Click here to access the Gospels for each Sunday in Lent, and links to online Readings at Mass.

Of course you can pray your way each day. But here are suggestions in case they are useful. 

Reconciliation Meditations

These video meditations are a way of preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and to deepen our relationship with God during Lent. 

You might also like our Stations of the Cross films, and reflections from Mill Hill Missionaries, which you can find here>>

Reconciliation within myself as God’s child

Reconciliation with those I have wronged

Reconciliation with those who have wronged me

Reconciliation with the earth

Reconciliation with God

Reconciliation for the whole world

Missionary lives

This Lent, we’d love to share more about what Missio is and what we do around the world to share the Good News of Christ with all our sisters and brothers. Once a week, why not click on one of the films below and get to know us better? 

For more films from Missio, follow us on Youtube>>

More Lent Resources

Find more prayers, reflections and films for Lent here>>