Twenty-Five Ways to Observe Lent

Here, for your consideration, is our annual compilation of ways to observe the season of Lent. Lent is a time of enormous grace and spiritual renewal. It is a period of solemnity, reflection and repentance in the weeks leading up to Holy Week and the commemoration of Christ’s Passion and Death. Our prayerful sacrifice is a reminder of the self-sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. During Lent, we are called to pray, fast give alms and study the ways of God.

1.) Read Sacred Scripture.

2.) Read spiritual/religious literature for fifteen minutes.

3.) Spend ten minutes in silence.

4.) Pray the rosary.

5.) Pray the Stations of the Cross.

6.) Say the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday during Lent.

7.) Attend Mass daily or go once or twice during the week besides Sunday.

8.) Pray a novena celebrating a Lent related saint or event.

9.) Give up dessert.

10.). Go to Confession.

11.) Give up alcohol.

12.) Give up or cut down on coffee, tea or soda.

13.) Give up bread.

14.) Wake up earlier.

15.) Go to bed earlier.

16.) Give up or spend less time online, especially social networking sites.

17.) Give up or cut down on television, texting, computer time.

18.) At the close of each day, do an examination of conscience.

19.) Cut down on the number of times a day you check email.

20.) Fast on Fridays [one meal or just bread and water].

21.) In addition to sacrificing, add something to your Lenten routine.

22.) Volunteer to serve the poor, addicted or abused.

23.) Remain calm when driving.

24.) Simplify your life: get rid of unused clothes and give them to the needy; each week get rid of books and find a place to give them away.

25.) Begin and end your day in prayer.