Lent Pray40: He Leadeth Me
Join Jonathan Roumie, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Mark Wahlberg, Sr. Miriam, Sr. Bernice, Jeff Cavins, and many more as we surrender ourselves to God this Lenten season. We'll be guided by the 20th-century spiritual classic "He Leadeth Me" by Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ, an extraordinary account of a Catholic priest who endured solitary confinement and labor camps for 20+ years. His incredible spiritual reflections will help us give God total sovereignty of our lives and help us experience true freedom in Christ. Learn more about the book here: https://hallow.com/heleadethme
Excerpt(s) from HE LEADETH ME by Walter J. Ciszek, S. J. with Daniel L. Flaherty, S. J., copyright © 1973 by Walter J. Ciszek. Used by permission of Doubleday, an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
48 sessions
1HumilityWelcome to the first day of Lent! Jonathan Roumie introduces our Pray40 theme, and Fr. Mike Schmitz narrates two excerpts from “He Leadeth Me.” Then we'll conclude with the Litany of Humility.Day 1: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
2Walter CiszekIn this second session, Jonathan introduces us to Fr. Walter Ciszek, the inspirational priest who lived the extraordinary spiritual journey in his book “He Leadeth Me.”Day 2: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
3God’s Plan for Your LifeMark Wahlberg joins us for our first Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge. He’ll reflect on Jeremiah 29:11 and challenge us to make a fasting plan.Day 3: Mark Wahlberg
4A Mother’s LoveSr. Bernice joins us for our first Saturday reflection on charity. She shares a beautiful story from her childhood of witnessing divine love in action, and she invites us to commit to sacrificial love in our own lives. Select the longer version of this session if you’d like some time for personal reflection and prayer.Day 4: Sr. Bernice, MC
5Sunday Sermon: Great ExpectationsOn this First Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from Mark 1:22-25. He reflects on "He Leadeth Me" and talks about what we must do when we encounter the reality of life.Day 5: Fr. Mike Schmitz
6It’s Not FairReturning to “He Leadeth Me,” Jonathan and Fr. Mike turn our focus to the experience of trials and suffering, and they tell us about the first moments of Fr. Ciszek’s long-awaited arrival to the Soviet Union.Day 6: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
7HelplessToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike describe the unexpected disillusionment and disappointment which Fr. Ciszek experiences in the lumber camp.Day 7: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
8InterrogationsToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike tell us about Fr. Ciszek’s lowest point in his spiritual journey. Then we'll be joined by Sr. Miriam, who will guide us through an imaginative prayer experience with Jesus on the Cross.Day 8: Jonathan, Fr. Mike, & Sr. Miriam
9Surrender Story: Good Father[Please Note: This session contains mentions of drugs and alcohol.] Every Thursday in Pray40, we’ll hear a modern story of surrender. In today’s session, Fr. Frankie Cicero, a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix, shares how he traded a life of addiction and promiscuity in order to follow God’s invitation.Day 9: Fr. Frankie
10Take CourageIn this Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge, Mark talks about John 16:33 and the choice we have in the midst of our trials.Day 10: Mark Wahlberg
11First Soup KitchenAs a Missionary of Charity, Sr. Bernice often serves the poor in soup kitchens. In this Saturday reflection on charity, she shares the story of how that all began, and she encourages us to meet the needs and hungers of others. Select the longer version of this session if you’d like some time for personal reflection and prayer.Day 11: Sr. Bernice, MC
12Sunday Sermon: As Long As...On this Second Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from Mark 9:2-10. He shares the wisdom and story of a mother named Britt Fisk, while continuing to dive deeper into the story of Fr. Walter Ciszek.Day 12: Fr. Mike Schmitz
13Self-RelianceReturning today to "He Leadeth Me," Jonathan and Fr. Mike turn our focus to our theme of surrender as they share Fr. Ciszek’s newfound understanding of what had happened to him in prison. During our prayer, we'll also begin going through the meditations of the Surrender Novena from Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo.Day 13: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
14ConversionToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike recount the turning point in Fr. Ciszek’s imprisonment and spiritual life, which Fr. Ciszek can only describe as a ‘conversion.’Day 14: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
15God's WillToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike talk about how Fr. Ciszek’s conversion changes things, even if his circumstances have not changed. Then Sr. Miriam guides us through an imaginative prayer experience with Jesus’ Agony in the Garden.Day 15: Jonathan, Fr. Mike, & Sr. Miriam
16Surrender Story: The Big Hustle[Please Note: This session contains mentions of alcohol, drugs, and violence.] Every Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear a modern story of surrender. Today Jim Wahlberg, an author and producer, shares his story of surrendering to the Lord through addiction.Day 16: Jim Wahlberg
17God’s Will FirstIn this Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge, Mark talks about Matthew 16:25 and the real purpose of our fasting.Day 17: Mark Wahlberg
18Thanksgiving Day[Please Note: This session contains a description of a robbery.] In this Saturday reflection on charity, Sr. Bernice shares a story from her childhood of how God often calls us to serve others in the same places where we’ve been wounded and in need. Select the longer version of this session if you’d like some time for personal reflection and prayer.Day 18: Sr. Bernice, MC
19Sunday Sermon: The Greatest GraceOn this Third Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from John 2:13-25. He reflects on what, in a moment of truth, we think we want versus what actually is the greater grace when we realize the truth about ourselves and about God.Day 19: Fr. Mike Schmitz
20Real LifeReturning today to "He Leadeth Me," Jonathan and Fr. Mike turn our focus to perseverance as they tell us about the first moments of Fr. Ciszek’s transfer to a worker camp. During our prayer, we'll also return to the meditations of the Surrender Novena from Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo.Day 20: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
21CoalToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike tell us about the brutal conditions that Fr. Ciszek must endure in his new life at the Siberian worker camp,Day 21: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
22PriestToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike share how Fr. Ciszek became an agent of God’s grace even amid the toil of the worker camp. Then Sr. Miriam guides us through an examen of our day to help us become Christ to others.Day 22: Jonathan, Fr. Mike, & Sr. Miriam
23Surrender Story: Look of LoveEach Thursday this Lent, we’ll hear our story of surrender. Today Tammy Peterson, wife of psychologist, Jordan Peterson, shares her story of surrendering to God’s will for her life as she faced a rare and devastating prognosis.Day 23: Tammy Peterson
24The Biggest ResultIn this Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge, Mark talks about Romans 12:11-12 and challenges us to persevere with God through the rest of Lent.Day 24: Mark Wahlberg
25Persevering LoveIn this Saturday reflection on charity, Sr. Bernice shares her vocation story and how God led her to become a messenger of His love in the community founded by Mother Teresa.Day 25: Sr. Bernice, MC
26Sunday Sermon: Owned by the PastOn this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from John 3:14-21, and he speaks the truth that God wants us to hear when we feel owned by our past or powerless to change our present.Day 26: Fr. Mike Schmitz
27ReleaseReturning today to "He Leadeth Me," Jonathan and Fr. Mike turn our focus to freedom as they tell us about the unexpected news Fr. Ciszek receives in the labor camp. During our prayer, we'll also return to the meditations of the Surrender Novena from Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo.Day 27: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
28MovementToday Jonathan and Fr. Mike tell us about the first person who Fr. Ciszek visits upon his release from prison and what Fr. Ciszek’s life looks like as a free man.Day 28: Jonathan & Fr. Mike
29ReturnToday we conclude our walk through “He Leadeth Me” as Jonathan and Fr. Mike tells us about the end of Fr. Ciszek’s exile in the Soviet Union. Then, Sr. Miriam guides us through an imaginative prayer experience with the Burial of Jesus in the Tomb.Day 29: Jonathan, Fr. Mike, & Sr. Miriam
30Surrender Story: Miraculous MedalWelcome back to our Thursday story of surrender. In today’s session, Linda Maliani, a mother from New Jersey, shares her story of surrendering to God as her daughter was diagnosed with cancer.Day 30: Linda Maliani
31True FreedomIn this Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge, Mark talks about John 8:31-32 and the radical way that we find true freedom.Day 31: Mark Wahlberg
32Stay with the People[Please Note: This session contains descriptions of gun violence.] In this Saturday reflection on charity, Sr. Bernice reflects on an important lesson that Mother Teresa taught her and her sisters. Select the longer version of this session if you’d like some time for personal reflection and prayer.Day 32: Sr. Bernice, MC
33Sunday Sermon: The Simple SecretOn this Fifth Sunday of Lent, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from John 12:20-33, and he uncovers the simple secret of where and when God's will is found in our lives.Day 33: Fr. Mike Schmitz
34Agony in the GardenBible scholar Jeff Cavins joins us for these final two weeks of Lent to help us learn from Jesus’ surrender in His final moments. We begin today by reflecting on the Agony in the Garden. You have to option to select between Jim Caviezel or Jonathan Roumie for the Scripture narration.Day 34: Jeff & Jim
35Peter's BetrayalIn today’s session, Jeff walks us through the story of Peter's betrayal and shows us the invitation to surrender to God’s mercy. You have the option to select between Jim or Jonathan for the Scripture narration.Day 35: Jeff & Jim
36Betrayals & SurrendersSr. Miriam guides us through an imaginative prayer experience as we consider two different kinds of surrender in the Passion Narrative.Day 36: Sr. Miriam
37Surrender Story: Our CrossWelcome back to our Surrender Story. Today, Lisa and Josh Canning share their experience of surrendering the cross of depression together as a married couple.Day 37: Lisa & Josh Canning
38Follow JesusIn this final Friday Inspiration and Fasting Challenge, Mark talks about Matthew 16:24 and the three things we must do if we want to give our lives to God.Day 38: Mark Wahlberg
39Beginning of Real LifeBefore we enter into Holy Week, Sr. Bernice will share the story of when she found out about Mother Teresa’s death. Select the longer version of this session if you’d like some time for personal reflection and prayer.Day 39: Sr. Bernice, MC
40Sunday Sermon: Enter the StoryOn this Palm Sunday, Fr. Mike preaches on the Gospel reading from Mark 14:1 – 15:47, and he shows us how we can enter into the great Story of Jesus Christ in the hiddenness of our lives and homes here and now.Day 40: Fr. Mike Schmitz
41BarabbasJeff Cavins returns to help us meditate on Jesus' surrender in the final moments of His life. Today Jeff will reflect on a surprising fact about Barabbas' name and what it reveals about Jesus. You have the option to select between Jim Caviezel or Jonathan Roumie for the Scripture narration.Day 41: Jeff & Jim
42Jesus Surrenders on the CrossJeff reflects on Jesus’ last words on the Cross and how He shows us the final surrender to the Father. You have the option to select between Jim Caviezel or Jonathan Roumie for the Scripture narration.Day 42: Jeff & Jim
43At the Foot of the CrossIn this final imaginative prayer experience, Sr. Miriam guides us through an imaginative prayer experience beside Mary at the foot of the Cross.Day 43: Sr. Miriam
44Surrender Story: To the Father[Please Note: This session contains mentions of alcohol, smoking, and suicide.] On this Holy Thursday, we’ll hear our final story of surrender. Join us as Sr. Josephine Garrett of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth shares how she surrendered to the love of God the Father.Day 44: Sr. Josephine
45Stations of the CrossOn this Good Friday, we’ll meditate on the Passion and Death of Jesus as we pray the Stations of Cross. Feel free to select your preferred guide: Bishop Barron, Jim Caviezel, Jonathan Roumie or Lisa Brenninkmeyer.Day 45: Special Guests
46Holy Saturday SilenceOn this Holy Saturday, Sr. Bernice reads an excerpt from a meditation from Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, and then we’ll have extended time for silent prayer.Day 46: Sr. Bernice, MC
47Sunday Sermon: Necessary or Accessory?On this Easter Sunday, Fr. Mike Schmitz preaches on the Gospel reading from John 20:1-9, and he asks to consider what we deem necessary in our lives and what we treat as accessories. If the Resurrection of Jesus is true, what does that mean for us?Day 47: Fr. Mike Schmitz
48He Leadeth MeCelebrate the resurrection of Jesus with a new song inspired by Fr. Ciszek's book and written exclusively for Hallow by Matt Maher. Matt introduces the song and leads us in a closing prayer. Learn more about his tour here: http://hallow.com/mahertourEaster Music: Matt Maher