Lent has snuck up on us again this year. It is quite early with Easter happening the first weekend in April.  I just finished listening to Fr. James Martin’s Ash Wednesday podcast, and it reminded me of many of the things that I want to do to make my Lent intentional. As with the last few years, I am not giving anything specific up. I am going to continue to be intentional in what I am taking in whether that is food, candy, drink, or media. I want to put more thought into the things I’m doing, saying, and bringing into my life.

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, and Pope Leo has declared this to be a Jubilee Year in his honor from January 10, 2026 through January 10, 2027. There are all kinds of ways to earn plenary indulgences and what not, but that’s for someone else.

Another exciting event this year is that it is the 350th anniversary of St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s baptism. This happened right here in New York state, and the shrine in Fonda will be celebrating. One way is by having mass on Easter Sunday, which is her baptismal anniversary to the day.

Some of my other Lenten Intentions include:

• Tonight I will be attending an Ash Wednesday program that includes dinner, ashes, and mass. If the snow holds off, I will solemnly drive home contemplating the next forty days.
• There are two related books that I am reading:
• The Word by Janice Lindemann is a weekly reader with poetry written in reflection of that week’s Sunday Scripture.
• I am about halfway through The Gospel of Mary Magdala.
• I will also add a new book next week: Come Forth by James Martin, SJ
• I just began listening to the Stubborn Hope Podcast with Fr.Jim Martin, S.J. https://player.fm/1CEbHsw It continues through the Lenten season. There is also an accompanying free daily email subscription at: https://ignatiansolidarity.net/lent-2026/
• I intend to attend Thursday mass weekly through Holy Week, and attend each weekly vigil mass, either in person or virtually, whichever the weather allows.
• I intend to attend Vespers in the Spirit of Taize in March and a program for the Celtic Day of Reflection, one of my annual reflection days.
• I am hoping to attend Easter Mass at the Kateri Shrine. As I mentioned above, it is a special anniversary in St. Kateri’s life.
• I will move forward in my discernment to becoming an Associate with the Dominican Sisters of Peace. This is a role for lay people, not as a member of the vowed religious order.

Below, I have included a writing check-in as well. I had been thinking of this for some time, and while Lent isn’t for self-help or regrouping, I’d like to use some of my time for my writing.

Writing Check-in

• I will set goals for the spring and writing St. Kateri’s book.
• I will update my about pages with new socials, FAQs, updated bio, and payment options.
• I will also make a decision about my Threads and Substack accounts and if they are meeting (or will meet) my professional needs.
• I will continue my daily writing with The Book of Alchemy.
• I will attempt to reignite my creative exercises with Felicia Day’s Embrace Your Weird.
• I will write for my writing groups and stay current on this website. One group is once a month and one group is twice a month.
• I will prepare for my writing retreat in mid-April
• Unrelated to writing, but I will also do my taxes. I’m giving myself a two week deadline on that one.
• I am also going to use what I’ve learned in the most recent classes I’ve taken on writing and set some definitive goals for the next six weeks.
• Ask myself some tough questions.

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What will you be doing in the next forty days or six weeks? It doesn’t have to be religious or writing. What are your plans?