Lent
Lenten Opportunities at St. Leonard
Prayer
Stations of the Cross:
- Thursdays of Lent, 6 p.m., church
- Good Friday, 5 p.m., church
Rosary: First Sunday of the month at 8:25 a.m. in the church
Divine Mercy Chaplet: Third weekend of the month after all Masses in the chapel
Eucharistic Adoration:
- Mondays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Chapel Hours:
Our chapel is open for personal prayer during office hours and adoration hours (see above). Please note that our Noon Daily Masses take place in the chapel (see the calendar or page 2 of the bulletin for the Daily Mass schedule).
- Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fasting
Fasting is required for individuals ages 18-59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
This year, 2025, Catholics are also asked to fast on April 9. In honor of the Jubilee Year, Archbishop Grob has asked all the Catholic faithful to make this a day of Reparation and Fasting. All are invited to fast and make small acts of reparation in recognition of how we have - individually and as a society - failed to be signs of hope to others. We remember in our sacrifice and prayer those who suffer exclusion, indifference, poverty, hunger, and the pain of war. Learn more here.
Abstinence from meat is required for individuals ages 14 and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent.
If fasting from food would be harmful due to physical or mental health conditions, you can choose an alternate way to fast.
Almsgiving
The Human Concerns Committee will hold collections for a different local non-profit organization each week. See the flyer here to view the list of requested items and when to bring them to church.
We will also collect donations to provide Easter food for families in need. Click here to sign up to donate.
Confession Times
Weekly Opportunities:
- Wednesdays: 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Thursdays of Lent: 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Holy Hour with Confessions: Wednesday, Mar. 19, 6:30 p.m. at St. Leonard.
12 Hours of Reconciliation, coordinated by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Wednesday, Apr. 9. Times and locations available here.
NEW: A Lenten Walk Through the Eucharistic Congress
Download flyerJoin St. Leonard in a study of five speakers who presented at the Eucharistic Congress in July 2024. Join us each week, on Monday, where we will watch a video of each talk and then have time for reflection and discussion afterwards. All Sessions will be from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Gathering Space (with the exception of Monday, Apr. 7, which will be in the Youth Center).
Soup & Bread Meal
Contact MichelleSoup & Bread Meal
Thank you to everyone who attended our Soup & Bread Meal this year! Our heart-filled gratitude to those who shared their time or donated to make this event possible. We hope to see you again next year on Ash Wednesday!
About: Soup & Bread is a meatless meal held on Ash Wednesday to help us embark on our Lenten journey in fellowship. It is conveniently timed between two of our services with ashes. There is no cost to attend.
Soup & Bread at home
If you're feeling inspired to bring the essence of the Soup & Bread meal to your home, we have each of the recipes right here!
When is Lent?
The Liturgical season of Lent occurs from Ash Wednesday through sundown on Holy Thursday. This year it is March 5-sundown April 17.
How do I observe Lent differently than other Liturgical seasons?
The pillars of Lent are Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. During Lent we practice these pillars to become better disciples. Is there any part of your life in which God isn’t prioritized, or a way you need to grow deeper in relationship with Him? Pray about what you need to "give up" or "take on" for Lent to help you work on that. Explore the opportunities we have at St. Leonard to get connected to the season (see above).
Why do we have Lent?
To prepare for Easter, but more specifically, to prepare for or remember your Baptism! Lent is about preparing for Christ's dying and rising at Easter, which we are united in through the Easter Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. It is a final preparation phase for those entering into the Church through the Sacraments, and for those who have already been Baptized to return to faithful observance of the call to discipleship given at Baptism.
Why is the Sacrament of Reconciliation emphasized during Lent?
As described in the paragraph above, we are on a journey of returning to faithful observance of our baptismal identity and vocation. On that journey, when we recognize ways that we've missed the mark, we need to seek God's mercy- the grace to be cleansed of our sins and continue our journey with renewed strength to turn away from sin- in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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