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for Lent 2026

Ignatian Spirituality / Prayer

Prepare for the Paschal Mystery by Entering a Sacred Space

ent, a holy time of introspection and penance in preparation for the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, can be further enriched with Sacred Space for Lent 2026, a daily prayer experience from Sacred Space, the internationally known online prayer guide. Sacred Space for Lent invites readers to develop a closer relationship with God during this season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This daily guided prayer experience is a profound way to journey through the season.

Lent 2026

In this easy-to-use format, you’ll find weekly topics for meditation and prayer, as well as daily Scripture readings and brief reflections to ponder. Sacred Space for Lent is a beautiful way to both grow in relationship with God and embrace this season of preparation. THE IRISH PROVINCE OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS (the Irish Jesuits), founders of www.sacredspace.ie, has provided a trusted online prayer guide since 1999. Their website serves millions of spiritual pilgrims of many faiths around the world.

ISBN: 978-0-8294-6001-8

$5.50 U.S.

THE IRISH JESUITS from the website www.sacredspace.ie

c_6001_SacredSpaceLent2026.indd All Pages

8/15/25 8:59 AM

for Lent 2026

SACRED SPACE from the website www.sacredspace.ie

Prayer from the Irish Jesuits

© 2025 Loyola Press All rights reserved. This edition of Sacred Space for Lent is published by arrangement with Messenger Publications, 37 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin D02 W938, Ireland. Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Loyola Press in Chicago thanks the Irish Jesuits and Messenger Press for preparing this book for publication. Cover art credit: Yifei Fang/Moment/Getty Images ISBN: 978-0-8294-6001-8 Published in Chicago, IL Printed in Canada 25 26 27 28 29 MQS 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Contents Sacred Space Prayer

February 18–21

First Week of Lent

Second Week of Lent

Third Week of Lent

Fourth Week of Lent

Fifth Week of Lent

Holy Week

Suscipe

103

Prayer to Know God’s Will

104

Sacred Space Prayer Bless all who worship you, almighty God, from the rising of the sun to its setting; from your goodness enrich us, by your love inspire us, by your Spirit guide us, by your power protect us, in your mercy receive us, now and always.

18–21 February 2026 Something to think and pray about each day this week: The Good Shepherd invites us to rest awhile among the grassy meadows and flowing streams. He wants us to relax in his presence—to be nourished, strengthened and renewed. In this place, we may turn from a closed fist of denial, frustration and turmoil to an open hand of acceptance, relaxation and serenity. After the rest, we may be invited to walk more closely with him, to be freer and more confident and to be better able to navigate the often-hazy paths of our lives. We can learn so much from modern and contemplative wisdom to live life with great richness, and when all is said and done, we can rejoice that we are infinitely loved. Too many of us learn to ‘love’ distress and anxiety: we say it is the way of work and the world. Just five minutes of silence seems pointless. But we get in touch with the ‘inner teacher’ when we find times to be still in our day, connecting us with deep peace and balance. It is available to be tapped into as we

February 2026

live in the moment: talking to people, working on tasks, walking with a fresh breeze on our faces, even running. Gavin T. Murphy, Bursting Out in Praise: Spirituality & Mental Health

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The Presence of God I pause for a moment and reflect on God’s life-giving presence in every part of my body, in everything around me, in the whole of my life. Freedom Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war. I bow my head in thanksgiving for my freedom. I pray for all prisoners and captives. Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I look honestly over the past day, its events and my feelings. Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness. The Word Now I turn to the Scripture set out for me this day. I read slowly over the words and see if any sentence or sentiment appeals to me. (Please turn to the Scripture on the following pages. Inspiration points are there, should you need them. When you are ready, return here to continue.)

Conversation I know with certainty that there were times when you carried me, Lord. There were times when it was through your strength that I got through the dark times in my life.

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Conclusion 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.

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Wednesday 18 February Ash Wednesday Matthew 6:1–6, 16–18 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. . . . ‘And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your

February 2026

fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’ • They say that the Lord loves a generous giver. It seems from today’s passage that he also likes those engaged in good works to go about their business without making a song and dance about what they do. This teaches us that the good deeds we perform will speak mightily on our behalf and will find their own reward at the allotted time.

Thursday 19 February Luke 9:22–25 [He commanded them not to tell anyone,] saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’ Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?’

• The last sentence in today’s Gospel was used repeatedly by St Ignatius of Loyola to St Francis Xavier when they were students together in Paris.

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Clearly Ignatius felt that wise people invest their time and energy in things of lasting value rather than frittering away their hours and talents on baubles.

Friday 20 February Matthew 9:14–15 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘The weddingguests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

• We are reminded in today’s reading that we fast for a reason—to give ourselves more fully to God. The very discipline involved keeps the focus of our attention on the Lord and on the fact that we should try to be mindful and to work for those around us who seem to be in greatest need.

Saturday 21 February Luke 5:27–32 After this he went out and saw a tax-collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up, left everything, and followed him.

February 2026

Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house; and there was a large crowd of tax-collectors and others sitting at the table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance.’ • Jesus gives his love to us, even before we go about trying to change ourselves. It is as if he senses that we need all the encouragement we can get to put our best foot forward so that his efforts on our behalf reinforce our own efforts towards taking steps onwards in the right direction, enabling us to be the best models of ourselves that we can be.

First Week of Lent

22–28 February 2026 Something to think and pray about each day this week: Pope Francis is clear that Lenten and lifelong conversion ‘asks everything of us’. Conversion asks for a change of mind, heart and even body, perhaps even to the extent of losing our lives. However, Pope Francis is equally clear that conversion will not cost happiness, will not cheat us of human fulfilment. Happiness hinges on holiness. True human happiness needs the healing and hope that holiness holds out; holiness helps us become fully human. Offering everything is not one option among others, but an opening of our minds, hearts and bodies to truth, love and wholeness. The goal of conversion is communion with God and others. Repentance is turning towards holiness, returning to receive ‘the happiness for which we were created’. Holiness is the hallmark of authentic happiness. Kevin O’Gorman, Journeying in Joy and Gladness: Lent and Holy Week with Gaudete et Exsultate

10 February 2026

The Presence of God I pause for a moment and think of the love and the grace that God showers on me. I am created in the image and likeness of God; I am God’s dwelling place. Freedom Lord, you granted me the great gift of freedom. In these times, O Lord, grant that I may be free from any form of racism or intolerance. Remind me that we are all equal in your loving eyes. Consciousness Knowing that God loves me unconditionally, I can afford to be honest about how I am. How has the day been, and how do I feel now? I share my feelings openly with the Lord. The Word I take my time to read the word of God slowly, a few times, allowing myself to dwell on anything that strikes me. (Please turn to the Scripture on the following pages. Inspiration points are there, should you need them. When you are ready, return here to continue.)

Conversation Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet you in person, Lord. I think I might say, ‘Thank you’, because you are always there for me.

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Conclusion I thank God for these moments we have spent together and for any insights I have been given concerning the text.

February 2026

Sunday 22 February First Sunday of Lent Matthew 4:1–11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,

“One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and

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their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. • A brief lesson on the wiles of the enemy is given to us today, and it may assist us in combatting some of Satan’s snares if and when the evil one tries to undermine us. Note how the devil chooses a tricky time when Jesus is alone, without companions or support and probably in a weakened state through lack of food and nourishment. It’s not unlikely that Satan will try to gain the upper hand with us too. Can we remember places or occasions when we were tempted to allow the worst parts of ourselves to come to the surface?

Monday 23 February Matthew 25:31–46 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the

February 2026

sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not

3 minutes a day, 24 hours of peace The 3-Minute Retreat invites you to take a short prayer break online. Anytime, day or night, spend some quiet time in prayer and reflection. You can receive the 3-Minute Retreat every day for free with an e-mail subscription. Visit www.3MinuteRetreat.com to register.

Join a Worldwide Community of Prayer Make a “Sacred Space” in your day with the worldwide prayer community at www.SacredSpace.ie. Inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the daily updates help you pray anywhere, anytime. Sacred Space is brought to you by the Irish Jesuits.

for Lent 2026

Ignatian Spirituality / Prayer

Prepare for the Paschal Mystery by Entering a Sacred Space

Lent 2026

ISBN: 978-0-8294-6001-8

$5.50 U.S.

THE IRISH JESUITS from the website www.sacredspace.ie

c_6001_SacredSpaceLent2026.indd All Pages

8/15/25 8:59 AM

Sacred Space for Lent 2026: ByThe Irish Jesuits