Lent is the liturgical season of preparation for Easter. During these forty days, God calls us to reflect upon our lives, looking at our failings and weaknesses. God calls us to change our hearts so that we may be a people filled with faith, hope, and love for all of our brothers and sisters. God offers us great mercy, which is ours for the asking. These prayer celebrations can help prepare your group to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Lent for additional background information and prayer.


"Seeking Forgiveness" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Seeking forgiveness for our sins
Materials Needed		Prayer table with Bible, candle, purple cloth, music, liturgy
Reading		Isaiah 1:16-17
Music		"Jesus, Heal Us, Blest Are We Music CD 3; "Jesus Remember Me," Jacques Berthier (Taizé) (GIA Publications); "Come Follow Me" (OCP Publications)
Preparation		Before the prayer celebration, cover the prayer table with the purple cloth. Print out and photocopy the liturgy, "Seeking Forgiveness." Select a Scripture reader and petition reader. Prepare your role as leader.
Adaptation		Have children write a note to God expressing sorrow for their sins, and present these notes in offering to God as a sign of their sorrow during the liturgy.
Additional Materials		"Jesus, Heal Us" Blest Are We Music CD 3 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36654-9 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melody for children; contains music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2