This Lent, Ascension Invites Catholics to Meet God through Deep Surrender through ‘Crux’

January 6, 2026

Designed for individuals, parishes, and small groups, a new daily Lenten challenge from Ascension and Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR, invites Catholics to surrender weakness and meet God at the Cross.

[Exton, PA - January 6, 2026] — Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 18, Ascension will launch Crux, a new daily Lenten challenge featuring Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR. Through a simple, four-part daily system rooted in both spiritual and physical discipline, Crux invites Catholics to see Lent not as an inconvenience, but as a transformative season of surrender. Learn more at www.AscensionPress.com/Crux.

“Most of us treat Lent like a diet plan,” says Fr. Columba in the video trailer. “We give up chocolate or skip pizza. But here’s the truth: Lent isn’t about giving up. It’s about being built up. We settle for halfway Lents. We avoid the Cross, when it’s the Cross that actually transforms us.”

Crux—Latin for cross—is built around four daily challenges designed to gently stretch participants beyond their comfort zones and into reliance on God:

Daily reading of Sacred Scripture
A nightly Examen
One form of physical exercise
One dietary fast

Each discipline is intentionally self-determined, allowing Catholics of all ages, states of life, and physical ability to adapt the program to their circumstances while remaining faithful to the spirit of Lent.

For Fr. Columba, the goal of these four daily practices is not physical performance or self-improvement, even if those benefits follow. “It’s about consistency,” he says. “It’s about stepping into small, daily challenges that rub up against our weakness—the place we’d rather avoid—and learning to meet God right there.”

Catholics can participate in Crux in several complementary ways, depending on their circumstances and how they wish to engage the season. For parishes and small groups hoping to experience Crux together, Crux: Daily Lenten Meditations was designed as an all-in-one communal resource. The devotional includes daily written reflections by Fr. Columba, weekly family content, and access to free weekly video reflections in the Ascension app. Available in bulk for parishes and groups for as little as $3.50 per copy, the devotional is intended to be easily shared—distributed at the start of Lent or used within small group settings throughout the season. Ascension provides a free downloadable small group guide that outlines weekly small group meetings. The devotional is available in English and Spanish.

Individual participants may also take part through the premium digital experience in the Ascension app, which features daily video reflections from Fr. Columba, guided nightly Examen prompts, and weekly encouragement from Crux Ambassadors—men and women from different stages of life who are walking the Crux journey themselves and sharing their joys and struggles along the way.

Chase Crouse is a husband, father of four young children, and the founder of Hypuro Fit, a Catholic fitness and nutrition coaching company. He brings expertise and encouragement for parents and young persons participating in the Crux challenge.

Mary Lenaburg is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and professionally is a Catholic author, speaker, and podcaster. She brings experience and perspective to all ages and stages of Crux participants.

Pat and Kenna Millea run a mental health clinic together in Minnesota and host their weekly podcast, while at the same time parenting seven amazing children! They know what it's like to deal with family responsibilities while trying to have a fruitful Lent and are excited to share their experiences and insights as they participate in Crux.

Br. Bernardo Ross is a seminarian studying in Rome. Since his conversion to the Catholic faith, Lent has been a special season of remembrance of the saving power of God and our need to surrender to Him completely. He brings a spiritual insights and lessons from his spiritual formation to share with Crux participants.

Courtney Roach is a convert to the faith, podcast host, digital media evangelist, and Social Media Manager for FOCUS. She brings expertise and encouragement for young persons—especially young women—participating in the Crux challenge.

Fr. Columba's daily reflections are included for paid premium subscribers, and new or returning subscribers can access the full Crux experience with 90-days for full access for $4.99.

For those seeking a more tangible, screen-free companion to the daily challenge, the premium Crux: A Lenten Journey of Surrender journal is also available. With space for participants to track the four disciplines, reflect on daily insights, and pray the nightly Examen, the journal offers a quiet space for deeper engagement throughout Lent. This optional companion to the Crux series is available for $24.99.

Together, these resources respond to a growing desire among Catholics for a Lenten experience that integrates mind, body and soul—moving beyond passive consumption toward intentional, lived discipleship. Crux offers a middle ground for those seeking something more challenging than a book or video series, but more accessible than programs that include extreme fasting and physical exertion.

To learn more about how to participate in Crux this Lent, visit www.AscensionPress.com/Crux.

About Fr. Columba Jordan, CFR

A native of County Kildare, Ireland, Fr. Columba Jordan is a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR) currently serving in St. Patrick’s Friary, Limerick. His main ministry is youth work in addition to his work as a popular speaker and presenter. He hosts the Called to More weekly video podcast, "Little By Little", offering short-form Catholic faith formation. Click here to see full author biography.

About Ascension

Ascension is a leading Catholic media company with nearly two decades of experience in digital evangelization and content production. Home to bestselling Catholic resources and top-ranked podcasts including The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, Ascension has been collaborating with Father Mike Schmitz for over ten years across numerous high-impact projects. Through their multimedia platform, publishing house, and educational programs, Ascension reaches millions of people worldwide, making Catholic teaching accessible, engaging, and transformative. Their mission is to inspire and equip Catholics to live their faith with confidence and joy, meeting people wherever they are in their spiritual journey.