Ash Wednesday Day Retreat - Putting on the Mind and Heart of Christ

Beloved friends of St. Francis and San Damiano, we invite you to join us as we enter the beautiful season of Lent 2026. For many, Lent began as the Church’s “retreat” for those coming into the Church, making their Professions of Faith and receiving the Sacraments of Initiation during Holy Week. Lent is both a time of celebration AND renewal our baptismal promises, as well as a deeper intention and practice of prayer, fasting, and acts of mercy and compassion (also referred to as “penitential disciplines. In this way, we more deeply “put on the mind and heart of christ,” AND discover the heart and mind of Christ within us and among us, already! 

 Our day of retreat for Ash Wednesday will focus on both components of Lent; a baptismal spirituality and penitential disciplines. Our day will provide a way to reflect on how what we’ve “given up for Lent,” but maybe what and whom we give ourselves to in this season. Ashes come from fire, and it’s all holy. The desert may seem barren, but a closer look reveals life and grace everywhere.  

Our retreat will be a time of stories, music, reflection, conversation, silence, and so much more! 

 Let us enter into the season of Lent, together, and behold the life, hope, and healing that springs forth from the grace of loving kindness! 

Our retreat day will begin with registration and arrivals beginning at 9 am, Mass at 9:30 am, a Noon lunch, and conclusion at 4 pm. All are welcome.