Circling Around the Mysteries of Our Faith this Lent

I was so happy to share one of our favorite Lenten prayer practices with the Jesuit Conference this year as part of their Ignatian Guide to Lent. It’s a simple spiral candleholder made of salt dough with 40 indentations for the 40 days of Lent. Each day we move the candle one spot further in, closer to the center of the Passion narrative as we prepare for Easter. Click here to watch the video explaining how Ignatian contemplation draws us deeper into the gospel stories and welcomes us to find our place in the stories that shape our faith. In case you’d like to make your own, here are the instructions. Wishing you all a very blessed Lent!

The candleholder is made from a simple salt dough, baked in the oven to harden and set it. It keeps well and can be used year after year.

Ingredients:

2 c flour

1 c water

1 c salt

1 tsp olive oil

Instructions:

 -Preheat oven to 350°.

-Mix ingredients until they form a soft, workable dough that does not stick to your hands. Add flour or water as necessary.

-Roll the dough out into a long rope and then curl into a spiral shape on a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

-Starting in the center of the spiral, use a candle to imprint 40 indentations. When you reach 40, simply trim off any remaining dough.

-Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes, until dough has completely hardened. Let cool for 10 minutes. Once cooled, it is ready to use.