How to Prepare for Lent for Catholics
Catholics preparing for Lent, the 40 weekdays between Ash Wednesday and Easter, should approach the season as a 40-day spiritual journey, complete with a road map, itinerary and supplies needed to complete the trip. With a little planning, prayer and divine intervention, many believers will reach their final destination and celebrate the joy of Easter with a renewed sense of faith.
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Instructions
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Take a look at a calendar. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, when Catholics receive ashes on their foreheads as a reminder to repent and turn from sin. To fully plunge in to the Lenten season, Catholics must have a plan in place by this symbolic day. Look ahead to the end of Lent, reflecting on goals to reach before Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Sunday Vigil.
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Plan meaningful, meatless meals. During Lent, Catholics between 14 and 60 years old must abstain from meat on Fridays and limit themselves to one full meal without meat on Ash Wednesday. With so many meatless options available, this act alone may not seem like a sacrifice, so make sure to be mindful of others who are less fortunate. Abstaining from meat is meant to show solidarity with the world's poor.
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Make prayer a habit. Before starting the journey, pray for guidance along the way. Find meaningful Bible passages such as those offered specifically for Lent by your local Catholic parish or diocese. Reflect on the day's readings and Gospel and make connections with your own Lenten goals by writing them down in a journal.
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Attend church more often. Although practicing Catholics must attend church on Sundays and holy days, many churches overflow only on Christmas and Easter. Participating regularly in Mass provides a sense of community and shows commitment to living a life that celebrates Jesus' resurrection at Easter. In addition to Sunday services, many churches also offer daily opportunities for prayer, penance and fellowship.
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Consider abstinence and change. Many Catholic adults vividly remember giving up candy during Lent, a practice of self-denial that made the sweet treats in Easter baskets seem like a special reward. However, abstaining also means eliminating unhealthy habits or changing an area of your life. Getting rid of excess material possessions, giving up smoking or cutting down on alcohol are all challenging yet reachable goals.
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Help others through good works. Modern Catholics perform active works of charity to supplement the more traditional Lenten ideas of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. Take the money saved during a meatless day and donate it to a local hospital. Volunteer at a food pantry to reinforce your fasting. Send letters to local seminarians to underscore your prayers for vocations.
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Enjoy Mardi Gras, in moderation. The day before Lent begins, celebrate Shrove Tuesday by joining in the fun of a Mardi Gras parade or party. These colorful, musical events contrast with the more somber tone of Lent and help Catholics symbolically mark a shift to a more thoughtful, peaceful time of spiritual growth.
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