Still looking for Ideas on what to give up for Lent?

The best way to enter into Lent is to join us on our Lenten Journey email series- a weekly email designed to help you enter into the heart of Lent.

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After you’ve done that, here are 40 ideas on how to pray, fast, and give alms during Lent, and even how to prepare yourself to enter into this holy season.

Prepare for Lent

1. Pray about what God is asking you to give up for Lent in order to remove any distractions from growing in relationship with Him 
2. Commit to a time of daily prayer and silence to listen to how God is speaking to you
3. Prepare your heart for the season by learning more about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving 
4. Brush up on your knowledge of fasting and abstinence during Lent with this illustrated guide and plan your Friday meals
5. Chose a spiritual book to read during the Lenten season
6. Schedule a retreat to take time away to pray like Jesus did
7. Choose a saint to intercede for you for a particular intention throughout the season of Lent
8. Ask a friend to be your prayer partner to keep you accountable to your Lenten commitments
9. Include your Lenten commitments in you daily and weekly schedule to keep yourself on track
10. Continually ask God for the grace to remain committed to your Lenten practices, especially when you fail

Pray 

1. Attend your parish’s Stations of the Cross
2. Go to Confession at least once a month
3. Pray a nightly Examen
4. Attend daily Mass or pray through the daily mass readings
5. Meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death by reading each of the Gospels’ Passion narratives

1. 1. Matthew 26:30–27:66
   2. Mark 14:26–15:47
   3. Luke 22:39–23:56
   4. John 18:1–19:42
2. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
3. Join a Bible study or faith sharing group
4. Attend a local Lenten retreat or Day of Recollection 
5. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily 
6. Make a pilgrimage to another church, religious order chapel, retreat house or other sacred sites

 Fast

1. Fast from the snooze button and practice obedience
2. Fast from pessimism and negativity and write a list of what you are grateful for each day
3. Fast from gossiping, complaining, cursing, or other activities that are detrimental to your spiritual life
4. Fast from internet, phone, and television every night after 8pm, and spend that time in silence
5. Drive to work in silence and use the time to pray a Rosary or reflect on your day with Jesus
6. Fast from turning to your friends or family immediately when you are upset and discuss your thoughts with Jesus first
7. Fast from television, music, and other media with frequent mentions of sex or violence
8. Fast from unnecessary spending and shopping online
9. Fast from unhealthy habits such as eating take-out, laziness, or texting while driving 
10. Give up your time and intentionally offer your service to your family or community each week

Give Alms

1. Volunteer through Catholic Charities
2. Make “Blessing Bags” for the homeless as a family or parish
3. Write out a list of 40 people and pray for one person each day
4. Perform acts of generosity or kindness to people you don’t know or don’t care for
5. Visit the sick, imprisoned or home-bound
6. Rekindle a broken relationship
7. Tithe 10% of your income to your parish
8. Instead of eating out, donate the money you would have used to a charity
9. Do or give something that is sacrificial and shows compassion and mercy
10. Use your money, talent, or time in a way that draws you closer to God and your neighbor

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For a full page of Lent resources, click here