How To Meaningfully Observe Lent

Lent is a 40-day period of reflection, repentance, and renewal leading up to Easter. All Catholics are encouraged to observe Lent through the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Here are some suggestions for how you can prepare for and observe Lent:

PRAYER

• Spend time each day in prayer. This can be a few minutes in the morning or evening, or longer periods of time for deeper reflection.
• Try different kinds of prayer, traditional liturgical prayers, spontaneous prayers that come from the heart, and lectio divina (a practice of slow, meditative reading and reflection on a passage of scripture).

FASTING

• The Church requires all Catholics from ages 18-59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. As long as you are in reasonable health, this means that you should only eat one full meal, plus two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
• If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection.
• In addition, it is also common for people to fast during Lent by giving up a particular food or activity for the 40-day period.
• Choose a fast that is meaningful and challenging for you, but also realistic and sustainable. You can fast from activities or habits that distract you from your time with God, such as social media, or gossip

Abstinence

Catholics 14 or older may not eat meat  on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday  or on any Friday during Lent.

ALMSGIVING

• This is the practice of giving to those in need, whether through donations or acts of service.
• Consider giving to organizations that support the poor, the sick, or other vulnerable populations.
• It is not just about giving money or time, but also about giving of yourself. Be open to the ways in which God may be calling you to serve others and to be a presence of love and compassion in the world.