# Ash Wednesday: Beginning Our Lenten Journey
*2008-02-06*

> Bill Young welcomes listeners to Ash Wednesday, offering a prayer from St. Jude Shrine and reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer, the Eucharist, and personal conversion as the Lenten season begins.

## Opening Prayer from St. Jude Shrine

Dear Lord, as I make my Lenten journey with you, send me your Spirit. Help me turn away from sin, fast, and pray so that I may know you better. Let me renew my commitment to share your grace with the world. Amen.

## Day 6 of the Novena to Merciful Love

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
My Jesus, my sorrow is great because I have offended you many times. Yet, like a loving Father, you have forgiven me. You invite me to ask, “Ask and you shall receive.” With confidence I turn to your merciful love, seeking the grace to change my behavior, bear witness to my faith, and live according to your precepts, burning in the fire of your love.

## Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer

Today’s meditation focuses on the words, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We ask for the most precious bread—the Blessed Sacrament—and for the daily food of our souls, which is grace. The Eucharist sustains us both body and soul; it is taken in moderation and expresses our total dependence on God. By saying “Give us,” we perform an act of mercy, praying that all may trust in God’s providence for tomorrow.

## Personal Prayer of Conversion

Lord Jesus, in this time of tribulation I turn to you. Show me your clemency, forgive my faults, and grant my desires if they serve your glory and the good of my soul. I place myself in your hands; do with me as you please.

## Closing Prayers

My Jesus, you are the font of my life. Grant that I may drink of the living water that flows from you, that I may never thirst again. Drown me in the abyss of your love and mercy, renew me with your precious blood, and cleanse me with the water of baptism.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

*Ash Wednesday invites us to begin Lent with sincere prayer, repentance, and a renewed dependence on the Eucharist as our daily bread.*