Monday Motivation: Weekly Resources

Over the past few weeks, we’ve received a number of requests from people looking for resources to assist them in different ways as they meet the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. In response, we’ve begun curating online resources in this weekly series, including links in each of the following categories: Prayer for the Home, Educational Opportunities, Resources (for ministers, educators, parents, etc.), and Flourishing and Fun.  

Here are several that caught our attention for this week:

Prayer for the Home: 

Holy Week at Home
Liturgical Press has assembled a remarkable array of resources for those who wish to observe this Holy Week thoughtfully and prayerfully, most notably Holy Week at Home: Adaptations of the Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday Rituals for Family and Household Prayer. 

La Semana Santa en Casa
También de Liturgical Press, Semana Santa en Casa: Adaptaciones del Domingo de Ramos, Jueves Santo, Viernes Santo, Vigilia Pascual y Rituales del Domingo de Pascua para Oración Familiar es un recurso increíble para personas y familias que quien quiere orar juntos durante esta Semana Santa.  

Stations of the Cross
This Holy Week, pray the Stations of the Cross in this series of videos created by Catholic Relief Services (sponsors of the annual Lenten Rice Bowl initiative). 

Via Crucis
Esta Semana Santa, rece las Estaciones de la Cruz con esta serie de videos creados por Caridades Católicas (promotores de la iniciativa del tazón de arroz cuaresmal).

Live-Stream of the Mass Celebrated in the Extraordinary Form
For those who have been looking for a way to stream the Extraordinary Form Mass, look no further. A schedule is provided for live-stream times, and recorded liturgies are also available from locations throughout the world.

Educational Opportunities: 

Journey with The Saint John’s Bible
If you haven’t yet signed up for the McGrath Institute’s free online course, Journey with The Saint John’s Bible, now is a great time to consider doing so. The six-unit course provides an in-depth look at the illuminated manuscript tradition, and unpacks five of the stunning illuminations from The Saint John’s Bible, along with the Scripture passages they depict. In addition, the course includes guided prayer experiences of lectio divina and visio divina, making this an educational experience that is not only intellectually informative, but also potentially spiritually formative. Available until May 31; learn more here.

Resources:

Virtual Gatherings for Ministerial and Spiritual Formation
Liturgy Training Publications continues its opportunities for spiritual formation, offering a virtual Holy Week Retreat that began yesterday and continues through the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), concluding with its final sessions on Easter Sunday. Space is limited, so register soon.

52 Sundays: A Guide to Reclaim the Lord’s Day for Faith and the Family
An outreach initiative from the Archdiocese of Detroit, 52 Sundays offers weekly guides to the Sunday celebration of the Mass, along with suggested activities for families to do together.

52 Domingos
Una iniciativa de la Arquidiócesis de Detroit, 52 Domingos ofrece guías semanales para la celebración dominical de la misa, sugiere con actividades para que las familias realicen juntas.

Flourishing: 

“Naming Loss and Gratitude with Young People”
This article encourages the creation of two lists: things that have been lost, and things to be grateful for. It’s a good exercise, not just for young people, but for all of those experiencing various forms of loss during this time, and it’s a good reminder that there’s always something to be grateful for.

Virtual Tours of the National Gallery
Nearly everything is closed. Museums.Theme parks. Movie theaters. Sports have been canceled. Concerts and live theatrical performances have been canceled. It’s the pits. Fortunately, museums like the National Gallery have opened their virtual doors so that people can wander their galleries online and see the incredible works of art on display. If you're looking for a place to start, take some time and explore the Sainsbury Wing for a glimpse at some truly stunning sacred art from the early Renaissance, perfect for contemplation during this Holy Week.

And just for fun:

Movies for Holy Week
The National Catholic Register provides a list of eight excellent films that set a contemplative tone for Holy Week. In case anyone was wondering, here’s my personal viewing line-up: Franco Zeffirelli’s mini-series Jesus of Nazareth (Sunday through Wednesday), The Prince of Egypt (Holy Thursday), either The Passion of the Christ or The Passion of Joan of Arc (Good Friday—if you’ve never seen the latter, do yourself a favor), and the 1951 version of Ben-Hur (Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday). I also watch Chocolat sometime during the Easter octave, because what better way to enjoy chocolate bunnies and Reese’s Easter Eggs than watching a movie about opening a chocolaterie during Lent?

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