--- title: "WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Week 1" description: Join Dominican friar and beloved podcaster, Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, for a transformative Lenten journey. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260126%20Ave%20Maria%20Press%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/witness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Week 1 Feb 22, 2026 8:00:00 AM  |  by [Ave Maria Press](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/ave-maria-press) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20260126%20Ave%20Maria%20Press%201.png) *Join Dominican friar and beloved podcaster, Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, for a transformative Lenten journey.* --- **"Return to me with all your heart" (Joel 2:12). ** This first week of Lent calls us to repentance—a turning back to God with everything we are. Join Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, in this Week 1 reflection from *Witness* as you encounter the Good Thief, Pontius Pilate, Claudia Procula, Barabbas, and Caiaphas. These figures from Christ's Passion reveal the many faces of repentance—and the many ways we resist it. Some, like the Good Thief, found mercy in their final moments. Others, like Pilate, stood at the threshold of grace but turned away. Through their stories, we see our own hearts reflected back to us: the struggles, the fears, the choices that lead us closer to Christ or further from him. *Witness *invites you to walk the dusty roads of Jerusalem and discover what true repentance looks like. As Fr. Patrick writes, "The story of the Passion is not only about what happened to him—it's about what is happening to us."   From the Good Thief to Pontius Pilate, Martha to Barabbas, these biblical figures reveal the depths of our own human heart: flawed, fearful, hopeful, and deeply loved. Each week focuses on a different virtue as you explore the lives of those who were present with our Lord: - Repentance with the Good Thief and Barabbas - Trust with the Virgin Mary and John the Beloved - Compassion with Simon of Cyrene and Veronica - Humility with soldiers and witnesses - Courage with Thomas, James, and the apostles - Sacrifice with the centurion Longinus and others [*Witness*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1) is an invitation to step onto the dusty roads of Jerusalem, to stand in the courtyard, and to kneel at the foot of the Cross. As Father Patrick writes, "The story of the Passion is not only about what happened to him—it's about what is happening to us." When you order *[Witness](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1) *from Ave Maria Press, you'll receive access to exclusive weekly companion videos featuring Father Patrick's reflections, plus a free downloadable Leader's Guide — perfect for personal prayer or small group study. [![Order your copy of WITNESS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-205157095682.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKKVHyUbvp7CmSMgmNrQ3hj9zMMrKQOO7nD57iw%2FvPN4MEpnY1yTMTY22SG1fDxlCx5L6WoPizg0DRPXosHN3k0QQJXuM6abgKytwG8JiEzRZBzjPZMfRfFDrMpn%2FAhBuGDnmOPJFb0qlUVMIPFelEgPbZ2goOmW0U5sWDyySayJ67y1lkWawm7SkBLSFcqhhHQKQ%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=205157095682&portalId=275132)   ![Witness](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Witness.jpg?width=1650&height=2550&name=Witness.jpg)   Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2026 Ave Maria Press Images: Ave Maria Press ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwitness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwitness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwitness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=WITNESS%3A%20A%20New%20Lenten%20Devotional%20Week%201) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwitness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwitness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-1%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Ave Maria Press](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Ave%20Maria%20Press.jpg) ### [Ave Maria Press](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/ave-maria-press) Ave Maria Press was founded by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., in 1865 and is recognized as a leader in publishing Catholic high school religion textbooks, parish resources, and books on prayer and spirituality. Ave Maria Press is a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers. [**](https://www.facebook.com/avemariapress) [**](https://twitter.com/avemariapress) ## Related Blog Articles [ Return to Me with Weeping Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/return-to-me-with-weeping) [ WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Week 2 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/witness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-2) [ WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Week 3 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/witness-a-new-lenten-devotional-week-3) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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