Lenten Ideas 2008



What is Lent?


“Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world. ..Lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to re-choose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes.” (Fr. Dominique, OSJ)

“Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.”
(Pope Benedict XVI from MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008.)

Lenten Ideas for Adults

Fasting

Fast from watching TV one night a week so that you can spend time on a Lenten practice, such as praying, reading the Bible, and serving others.
Fast from watching one movie during Lent and give the money and the time on service to others.
Fast from using foul language and put-downs and begin affirming others with positive speech; use your speech to encourage , rather than discourage others
Fast from purchasing new things like clothing, music, and magazines; instead make a donation to a charitable cause
Fast from holding resentments and learn to practice forgiveness
Fast from gossiping and dishonesty and begin the practice of honesty and truthfulness
Fast from a favorite snack food or drink and set aside the money you would have to spend on them to a favorite charity
Fast from being angry or upset with people who have hurt or offended you and pray for the courage to forgive them
Fast from feeling guilty or angry with yourself; instead, remember God’s great love for you

Praying

· Read the Lenten Scripture readings daily
· Participate in Ash Wednesday services
· Participate in the Stations of the Cross
· Participate in Lenten Liturgies in your parish or diocese
· Frequent the sacrament of Reconciliation
· Increase the amount of time you spend in prayer during Eucharistic Adoration or before the Blessed Sacrament
· Pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily
· Increase the amount of time you spend praying for others by fifteen minutes each day
· Add the rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to your daily prayers
· Spend time in prayer at the local abortion mill or if you are unable to be physically present, offer up prayers and sacrifices for the unborn, the mothers, and the families who are there, as well as for those working at the abortion mill


Almsgiving

"Almsgiving, according to the Gospel, is not mere philanthropy: rather it is a concrete expression of charity, a theological virtue that demands interior conversion to love of God and neighbor, in imitation of Jesus Christ, who, dying on the cross, gave His entire self for us. " (Pope Benedict XVI from MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI FOR LENT 2008.)

· Donate personal possessions such as clothing, books, shoes, to people in need

· Dedicate time for service during Lent, e.g., working at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter

· Donate money saved by fasting to the parish community food pantry, food bank, homeless shelter, or crisis pregnancy center

· Volunteer at a local food shelter, homeless shelter or a nursing home several hours per week

· Volunteer at your local crisis pregnancy center (usually requires training first)

· Volunteer to read books and magazines to the elderly

· Help others learn to read by becoming a literacy trainer or volunteer to tutor children

· Train to be a hospice volunteer or support the work of the Hospice movement

· Give the gift of sight by donating old eyeglasses or unused frames to the local Lion’s Club who recycle them and distribute to the needy

· Donate diapers, formula, baby clothing, baby furniture, and maternity clothing to a local crisis pregnancy center.

· If you knit or crochet, make booties or baby blankets and donate them to the local crisis pregnancy center.

-

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