THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE LENT

Lent can become a new adventure every year. Vinita Hampton Wright

Vinita Hampton Wright

Vinita Hampton Wright is a Loyola Press editor and writer of many books, including Days of Deepening Friendship and Acts of Moving Forward. She has been practicing Ignatian spirituality for a decade and writing about it for nearly as long. She lives in Chicago, IL, with her husband, two dogs, and two cats.

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE LENT

In this episode, I talk to Vinita Hampton Wright about preparing before lent.
She explains:
-Ask, what does my soul need?
-What do I truly desire?
-What about my life makes you happy Lord?

Vinita has a unique way of looking at Lent. Chalk it down to her Ignatian spirituality or her own experience with this season, she has a different perspective. Her insight into Lent resonated with me, as I was struggling with my own preparation for the upcoming Lenten season.

As someone who’s been mentored for the last decade by the Jesuits, I can personally suggest that you give Ignatian spirituality, a try. My own discernment retreat last November, 2018 at the Jesuit Center, Morristown, New Jersey was instrumental in directing my ministry. It also helped me make my final decision about my vocation.

I love how she uses the above 3 questions to make us think about Lent as an adventure. She explains how God might be trying to drawing our attention to an issue we must deal with first. Vinita also says it’s important to document what we’ve learned every Lent and revisit our reflections from time to time.

Personally, I wasn’t looking forward to Lent in 2019. After a retreat with tough decisions last year, an Advent that was equally tough spiritually, I’ve been trying to ease off the discipline.