As we enter this holy season of Lent, we are invited into a deeper encounter with a truth at the very heart of our faith that through baptism we are not merely marked with a sign, but drawn into a life of communion, participation, mission; a life of discipleship.
This Lent, the Irish Synodal Pathway has prepared a new set of resources, Baptised and Sent in Lent, for parishes, families, schools, individuals, and faith communities across the country. Grounded in the preparatory document from the Pre Synodal Assembly, Baptised and Sent, these weekly reflections provide a simple yet profound structure for prayer, Gospel reflection and shared conversation during this sacred season.
Baptised
The Irish Synodal Pathway, which began in 2021, has been a journey of prayerful listening, open dialogue and mutual discernment. It has invited us to ask a fundamental question: “What does God want from the Church in Ireland at this time?” From the voices gathered across dioceses and communities, a clear message has emerged. Baptism is the foundation of our identity and mission as the People of God. Baptised and Sent is not simply another document; it is a moment of grace in our shared discernment. Rooted in the experiences and hopes voiced in parish gatherings throughout Ireland, it calls us to see baptism as the moment we enter the life of Christ and are sent forth by the Spirit to live our mission. In a world where many feel alienated or uncertain, this clarity of identity, baptised in Christ and reborn for mission, becomes both a source of consolation and a catalyst for renewal.
The Baptised and Sent in Lent resources invite us to rediscover this in a way that is accessible and deeply prayerful. Each week’s material is shaped around key themes that emerged from the synodal process: belonging, renewal, healing and mission. The reflections speak to both those active in parish life and anyone reflecting on Christ’s presence during this Lenten season. They encourage us to see baptism not as a distant event in the past but as a living reality that shapes who we are and how we live in community.
Healing is identified not as optional extra, but as central to the Gospel and essential to living as a baptised and sent community
of believers”
A key insight of Baptised and Sent is that baptism forms the foundation for all aspects of our life in Christ. It is the entry point to a life of faith, the gateway to mission and the foundation on which a Christian life is built. This vision moves us beyond a purely nominal understanding of membership and towards a deeper appreciation of discipleship that is active, relational and missionary in spirit.
In the preparatory document, voices from across the Irish Church spoke with honesty and hope about a longing for belonging, a desire for deeper faith formation and a hunger for authentic participation in the life of the Church. Alongside these aspirations was a cry for healing, especially from those wounded by abuse, exclusion or disillusionment. Healing is identified not as optional extra, but as central to the Gospel and essential to living as a baptised and sent community of believers. The Lenten journey also invites us to approach healing not only as individuals in need of grace, but as a Church called to embody mercy and reconciliation. The weekly Gospel reflections and conversation prompts in Baptised and Sent in Lent encourage us to listen, listen to God and to one another, trusting that the Spirit can bring new life even where there has been pain or silence.
Responsibility
Another important dimension of Baptised and Sent is its emphasis on shared responsibility. Baptism goes beyond a single sacramental event. It calls us into ongoing, shared discipleship; to say “I am baptised” not “I was baptised.” Women and men, young and old, ordained and religious alike are called to participate in the life and mission of the Church. This calls for renewed participation, shared leadership and genuine accompaniment, not as slogans, but as lived expressions of the dignity that flows from baptism. The Baptised and Sent in Lent resources draws this together in a way that is both pastoral and prayerful. They are designed for use in community: families gathered around a kitchen table, parish groups meeting in church halls and parish centres, school communities reflecting together on what it means to belong to Christ. In each setting, these resources provide a chance to attune ourselves to the Spirit and to take concrete steps in embracing our baptismal calling more fully.
Baptismal identity is a shared gift, shaping how we live and bear witness to Christ in our communities”
As we look towards the National Synodal Assembly this October, the Lenten journey becomes not only a time of personal conversion, but a season of communal renewal. Baptised and Sent in Lent invites us into that rhythm of conversion and mission. It emphasises that our baptismal identity is a shared gift, shaping how we live and bear witness to Christ in our communities.
Whether you are deeply involved in parish life, returning after time away, or simply reflecting more intentionally this Lent, these resources offer a gentle but profound invitation: to rediscover your baptismal dignity and to embrace anew the mission entrusted to you in Christ.
Julieann Moran is the General Secretary of the Irish Synodal Pathway.
