25 Ways to Observe the Season of Lent

The Crucifixion

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 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, Catholics are called to pray, fast and give alms. Below are 25 ideas for observing this most holy season in the life of the Church.

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 Way of the Cross

6) Say the Divine Mercy Chaplet every Friday during Lent at 3:00 PM [the hour of Divine Mercy]

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 at a place that is committed to serving 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
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Lenten Resources:

The Church's official position concerning penance and abstinence from meat during Lent

Video: What are the Practices of Lent? Fr. Robert Barron – Word on Fire 


Lenten Reflection by Fr. James Kubicki


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