Try Something Different for Lent
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Lenten Regulations
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During Lent, the church instructs its members to make prayer, fasting and almsgiving integral parts of their lives. Here are some suggestions to help you experience a grace-filled Lent , a Lent in which you deepen your relationship with God:
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Learn about your patron saint.
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Pray for -by name -people you don't like and for people that don't like you.
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Read a Catholic magazine or visit a Church news site (example www.zenit.org).
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Buy two of everything on your grocery list, and give the duplicates to the local food pantry.
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Find out why you should have fun on Laetare Sunday, and then do so.
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Start a "cuss bowl." For every unkind word you utter, put in a dollar (two dollars during Holy Week). After Easter, give the money to a English as a Second Language program.
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Pray for those, e.g., children, parents, spouse, siblings, who have left the church.
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Talk to a neighbor or relative you rarely or never talk to.
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Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Set aside 15 minutes each day to read Scripture.
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Open a Christmas Club account with the intention of giving the money to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or similar organization.
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Set aside some time each day to just talk with God (be sure to listen closely for His answer).
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Visit a church when you don't have to.
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Pray the news: for the people whose stories of
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hardship are reported daily and weekly.
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Observe five minutes of silence every day.
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Memorize a Proverb.
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Participate in a parish educational presentation.
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Tell someone your story of faith, how God has made a difference in your life.
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Identify your God-given gifts, how you use them, and how you could use them better.
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Fast from gossip.
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Pray the Scriptural rosary.
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Remove your watch before leaving for church on
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Palm Sunday.
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Develop a prayer list and pray it daily.
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Sacrifice your time in order to help others.
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Follow the advise of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words."
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When Easter comes, don't drop the new practice you've begun during Lent! Make a permanent feature of a deeper Christian life!