WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Week 1

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 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 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.