Lenten Series 2024 – Journey of the Heart
2024 Lenten Series: Journey of the Heart
Welcome to the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM) 2024 Lenten Series: Journey of the Heart. We are excited to have you along on our travels for the next 40 days as we take a closer look at the many facets of the Lenten Season.
We’ll hear from people of various ages and backgrounds and listen to their understanding and perspectives on various topics. We also invite you to stop back often for tools to help you reflect on the various Lenten topics that are discussed.
Learn more about our Lenten Series from Father Aidan Rooney. We look forward to having you as a traveler on our journey.
Ash Wednesday
The first stop on our Lenten Journey of the Heart was Ash Wednesday.
We welcome you to watch and listen below. In our first video, Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, spiritual director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, reflected on the symbolism of receiving ashes on this day. He was joined by Kelvin, a grade school student from the DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia, and Jo-Ann, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
Our second video featured Sr. Clarisse Correia, DC, of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM); Emily of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.; and Emmanuel of St. John the Baptist Parish in Brooklyn.
We also offer readings and other materials that will allow you to further reflect.
Ash Wednesday Resources for Reflection
+ Pope says Lent is time to let go of the frivolous, to choose truth, love
Lent
As we moved into the first full week of Lent, we wanted to ask the question “What is Lent?” to people of different ages and backgrounds. In our first video of the week, we heard from Adaeze of The DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia, Agnes from the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and Fr. Timothy Lyons, CM, rector of the Basilica Shrine, as they reflected upon what Lent represents for them and for us all.
Next, we focused on Lent as a time for sacrifice, humility, and walking with Jesus. We joined Ella from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.; Terrance from St. Vincent’s Parish in Philadelphia’s Germantown section; and Sr. Bella Davila, DC, in Germantown, as they reflect on their own Lenten experiences.
In our third video we heard from Demaj of The DePaul Catholic School, Philadelphia; Patricia of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.; and Fr. Joseph Ita-Sam, CM, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Philadelphia, discussing Lenten sacrifice, personal reflection, and patterning ourselves after Jesus’ example.
Below you’ll find articles on various Lenten topics that will allow you to delve deeper into the topic of Lent.
General Lenten Resources for Reflection
+ Q&A: Six Ways to Evangelize During Lent
+ Lent Is a Time of Conversion and Freedom
Prayer
For the second full week of Lent, we turned our attention to one of the three pillars of Lent: prayer.
In our first video focusing on prayer, Fr. Stephen Grozio, CM, provincial for the Vincentians of the Eastern Province was joined by Jivika from The DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia, and Jessie, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, as they each reflected on how prayer transforms their lives during Lent.
Our second video focused on perspectives about prayer from Kelsey of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.; Emmett from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia’s Germantown section; and Sr. Michelle Nguyen, DC, sacristan for the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
To help you reflect further on this topic, we share some materials below.
Prayer Resources for Reflection
Almsgiving
The call to charity is a fundamental theme of our Catholic upbringing. During Lent, we are asked to intensify our commitment to almsgiving so that we can more closely emulate Jesus and reciprocate His love for us. We focused on it during the third full week of Lent.
In the first video about almsgiving, Sr. Bella Davila, DC, of Face to Face in Philadelphia’s Germanton section; Aderinsola, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, PA; and Vicente, a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Charlotte, NC, reflected on how almsgiving manifests the Lord’s love in ourselves and those around us.
Our second video showed that regardless of your position in life, there’s always opportunity to help others and strengthen your bond with the Lord through almsgiving. Watch Kamsi, a student at The DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia’s Germantown section; Emmett, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown; and Fr. John Kettelberger, spiritual director of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal.
We list several resources below and encourage you to use them as you contemplate this topic.
Almsgiving Resources for Reflection
+ Foundational Call of Christians
Fasting
During the fourth week of Lent 2024, our special video series, Journey of the Heart, turned its focus to fasting. In the first vignette, Kelsey, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, PA; Agnes, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; and Fr. Joseph Ita-Sam, CM, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Philadelphia’s Germantown section, told us how fasting is a symbolic gesture that helps us focus on prayer and reconciliation with the Lord.
In the second video, we further explored Lenten fasting and its meanings with Autumn, a student at The DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia’s Germantown section; Ivy, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; and Fr. Timothy Lyons, rector of the Basilica Shrine.
After watching the videos, we encourage you to delve into our additional resources on this topic.
Fasting Resources for Reflection
Mary’s Way
For one week in Lent we focused on Mary and the fear, sadness, pain, and hope she may have felt as she watched Jesus at Calvary. In the first Journey of the Heart: Mary’s Way video, Fr. Thomas McKenna, CM, of the Vincentians of the Eastern Province, USA, reflected on the emotions of the Blessed Mother during this time as did Joan Marie, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and Clara, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.
In the second video we referenced John’s Gospel. It described Jesus “looking down at his Mother, his Mother’s Sister and Jesus’ ‘Beloved Disciple’” Jesus then spoke to Mary saying, “Woman, behold your son.” (meaning that beloved disciple) Then Jesus spoke to the Beloved Disciple saying: “Behold your Mother.” Listen to Sr. Cecelia Cavanaugh, SSJ; Michelle, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.; and Emmett, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Community in Philadelphia’s Germantown section, as they on Jesus’ brief but momentous message.
More resources on the week’s topic are available below the video.
Mary’s Way Resources for Reflection
+ Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
+ Readings from the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
+ What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary?
Palm Sunday
As we entered Holy Week, we took time to ponder Palm Sunday along our 2024 Lenten Journey of the Heart!
We encourage you to watch Adaeze of The DePaul Catholic School in Philadelphia; Joan Marie, a frequent visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal; and Deacon James Mahoney, associate director of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, share their personal reflections on Palm Sunday.
Below you will find materials to help you further reflect on Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
Palm Sunday Resources for Reflection
+ Daily Readings: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
+ A Reflection on Palm Sunday: A Panoramic view of the Paschal Mysteries
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday marks the start of the Easter Triduum, the summit of the Roman Catholic Liturgical Year. In our first Journey of the Heart video, Sr. Ellen Marie Hagar, DC, a teacher at Holy Innocents School in Philadelphia, was joined by Kate, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa., and Jo Ann, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine, in reflecting on the singularly exceptional gift that Jesus bestowed upon us at the Lord’s Supper with the institution of the Eucharist.
The second Holy Thursday vignette featured Fr. Joseph Ita-Sam, CM, of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown, Philadelphia; Kamsi, a student at The DePaul Catholic School in Germantown; and Emmanuel, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist in Brooklyn, discussing how the traditional washing of feet symbolizes our Christian call to service.
After watching the videos, we encourage you to review the provided resources about Holy Thursday.
Holy Thursday Resources for Reflection
+ Questions on the Sacred Paschal Triduum
+ The Roman Missal and the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
For information about The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal visit our home page. You can also make a donation.
Good Friday
After six weeks of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and transformation, our Lenten journey has reached its destination, Good Friday. In this episode of our Journey of the Heart series, Sr. Cecelia Cavanaugh, SSJ, of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia, is joined by Kelvin, a student at The DePaul Catholic School in the city’s Germantown section, and Anthony, a teacher at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa., in reflecting on the Lord’s love for all mankind as manifested through the sacrifice of His only Son.
Be sure to review the provided resources on Good Friday to review after watching the video.
Good Friday Resources for Reflection
+ The Roman Missal and the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Thank You and Continuing Your Journey
As we conclude Lent, we also conclude our 2024 Lenten video series, Journey of the Heart. In this final episode, Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM encourages us always to strive to become closer to God through Jesus and our Blessed Mother. We hope you will continue to use this series and resources as your guide.
For information about The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal visit our home page. You can also make a donation.