LEWISTON — A special Lenten evening for Maine Catholics is set for the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul on Friday, March 5. Fr. Bob Vaillancourt will preside at a Taizé prayer service, Mass and presentation of the Stations of the Cross that will be offered in person and via livestream.

Stations of the Cross will begin at 5 p.m., followed by Mass at 5:30 and a prayer service at 6:30. Vaillancourt, a native of Lewiston, is pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish (Our Lady of Good Hope Church, Camden; St. Bernard Church, Rockland; St. Francis of Assisi Church, Belfast).

Originating in a community of Catholic and Protestant brothers in the 1940s in Taizé, France, Taizé prayer is notable for its meditative chanting. Short, repeated songs give it a meditative character and express a basic reality of faith. Mantra songs, prayerful silence and short readings guide the focus of Taizé services, which are generally conducted in the evening in the glow of candlelight.

To register to attend the gathering, visit princeofpeace.me or call Prince of Peace Parish at 207-777-1200. The event will also be livestreamed at princeofpeace.me, the parish Facebook page, facebook.com/PrinceOfPeaceME, and the parish YouTube channel, youtube.com/channel/UCAkgnGjIZqdxEKC7NMk4I1A?view_as=subscriber.

The Diocese of Portland has a special Lent web section at portlanddiocese.org/lent-resources. The section will be updated throughout Lent with additional events as they are confirmed.