How to Celebrate Lent: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Lent is a Christian tradition that is celebrated by all Christians. This is a sacred 40-day sacrificial period before Jesus' Death and Resurrection. During Lent, Catholics and some Christian congregations prepare to celebrate Holy Week by fasting, praying, and repairing their relationship with God. These forty days are a good time for us to reflect on everything and sustain our cross as Christ did.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Focus on Your Spirituality

Step 1. Determine your Lenten taboos

Lent is a time of reverence and abstinence to commemorate Jesus' fasting in the wilderness; our abstinence is a reminder of the self-sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. Therefore, during Lent, we abstain from anything for these 40 days.

• Think about the little things in your life that distract you from God. Do you realize that you dedicate more time to texting and posting status updates than praying and spending time with God? Do you have a habit of eating excessive fast food? Are there habits that would make your life better if you stopped doing them?

  

• For the record, in 2014, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which falls on March 5, and ends on Maundy Thursday which falls on April 17. Then continued with Easter Day on Sunday.

  

Step 2. In addition to abstaining from something, “add” something special into your Lent as well

Abstaining from chocolate or Facebook for 40 days is fine, but why not do something positive too, instead of just eliminating the negative? Determine to spend more time volunteering, hanging out with your family, praying more, or doing something to deepen your faith.

• Some families decide to set aside a little money for these 40 days and use the money to do something. It could be donating the money to a local church or charity, or buying things for people in need. It's a nice touch to Lent, focusing on those who really lack.

  

Step 3. Attend mass as often as possible

In addition to weekly mass on Sundays, it is a good idea to go to church frequently, especially during Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday when we remember that we came from dust and will return to dust. Many hold mass in the middle of the week, and attending such mass is a great way to participate in Lent.

• If you choose to attend church more often during this time, Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday/Good Friday (or both) are sure choices.

  

Step 4. Come to confession

Confession is a great way to turn from sin and be reunited with God. If not, try to make it a habit to make regular confessions. The Catholic Church requires all believers to receive the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year and once during Lent, although it is recommended that you attend Confession at least once a month if you can.

• Your church is likely to serve confessions every week, if not more often during this Lent. If you're not sure when a confession will be, pick up the local newsletter or find out by phone! You can also schedule your own confession.

  

Step 5. Make time for devotion

Although not mandatory, devotions are a great way to focus your mind on Lent. The Church strongly supports the implementation of the Adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament or devotion to the Virgin Mary and the saints. Your parish may host regular Eucharistic Adoration, where you can sit down and engage in solemn prayer, with the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in mind. For adoration, you can pray the daily rosary, or pray to your patron saint.

• Any prayer, as long as it means something to you, is a step in the direction God wants it to be. If you had a prayer that meant something to you as you were growing up, be determined to spend more time focusing on the true meaning of that prayer and how you can manifest it in your daily life.

  

Step 6. Take time to examine your mind and reflect

Christmas and Easter are times of joy and happiness; although these times are bright and cheerful, Lent is different. This is a time of simplicity and solemnity. This is a time to reflect on your dependence on God's mercy and your understanding of faith. Use this moment in time to think about how you are realizing God's message.

• To top it off, Lent, in most areas, usually takes place in winter -- just looking out the window is a reminder of the suffering Jesus endured for our happiness.

  

Part 2 of 3: Celebrating Lent

Step 1. Fasting and abstinence

All Catholics aged 14 and over are required to abstain from eating meat every Friday during Lent, although fish is allowed to be eaten. In addition, all Catholics aged 18 - 59 are required to fast on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday during Lent, meaning only one full meal on those fasting days. Of course, do this in whatever way you think is safe and effective.

• Some people are “not” allowed to fast (pregnant women or the elderly, for example). If fasting doesn't make sense to you, then fast from something other than food. Make sure it's something that's a challenge -- like your cell phone or email -- so you can feel the sacrifice you're making.

  

• Fasting is more of a voluntary act than an obligation. In 1966, Pope Paul VI made fasting "only" obligatory on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday -- everything else is up to you.

  

Step 2. Do something positive

While many people choose to leave negativity behind during Lent, you can use this time to help you build “good” habits. For example, you can promise to be more patient and kind to your neighbors, or you can promise to help people in need. Whether you choose to give up bad habits or build new good ones, strengthening good ones, your Lenten promises can help you grow your faith and goodness.

• In addition to improving your life, also use this time to build habits that improve the lives of others. You can volunteer at a hospital or shelter, or simply become more active in your church by offering to do greetings, readings, or administer offerings.

  

Step 3. Have an Easter banquet

Although some see this as a Jewish tradition, it is not! On Maundy Thursday, many Catholics celebrate Easter, in commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper -- the last day of Lent. You eat the “meal” in silence, reflecting on your Lenten experience with unleavened bread and wine (or grape juice). How has this Lent changed you?

• If you want something more historical, try serving matzah (unleavened bread), maror (radish root), eggs, or haroset (a mixture of apples, herbs, and red wine) as part of your meal.

  

Step 4. Promote the charity project together

Many communities choose to participate in something like Operation Bowl Rice during this time, offering help to those in need. Your church probably already has a project like this -- but if not, you can start! This is the perfect time to focus on improving the world, just as Jesus did.

• Any social foundation in your area can form the basis of your project. All you have to do is get your parish to join in. Talk to your priest and see if he can help invite the congregation to do this good project.

  

Part 3 of 3: Celebrating Lent in Your Home

Step 1. Add purple decorations to your home

The color of Lent is purple - a quick visit to any church will demonstrate this fact very clearly. Add a few touches of rich, dark purple to your home to remind yourself that these 40 days mean a lot.

• But keep it simple -- Lent is not a time to overdo it. A few purple candles, a purple delivery tablecloth -- nothing too flashy, eye-catching, or unnecessary. This is a time of simplicity and preparation for growth. Save the excess for Easter!

  

Step 2. Create a Lenten calendar

The calendar will help you focus on the progress of Lent and serve as a practical reminder to watch the days go by, and draw closer to the Resurrection of Jesus. Lent lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays. Lent ends on the Friday before Easter (its last day being Maundy Thursday); count down from there.

• Hang the calendar in the common room of your house. Each day, tick one box. As Easter approaches, how are you feeling? Are your abstinence and fasting getting harder or easier to do?

  

Step 3. Eat the Lenten meal

As with other traditions, there is “always” the involvement of food. Here are some ideas for celebrating this time:

• Make sweet buns. Usually this is for Good Friday -- but you'd better make this bread before that day!

  

• Make your own fluffy pretzels. The shape symbolizes folded hands for prayer.

  

• Of course, you can always prepare food for out-of-need families or those in local shelters.

Step 4. Have a sacrificial meal each week

In addition to fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, have a “sacrifice meal” once a week. For example, just a bowl of rice and a glass of milk instead of a full meal that your family has become accustomed to. Limiting yourself like this will remind you of what's normal for you -- emphasizing that it's “not” normal for other people. Things we easily forget!

• Again, participate in dietary restrictions only when it is possible for you. If you're not sure, it's best if you consult a doctor first. Jesus doesn't want you to sacrifice your health!

  

Step 5. Burn the palm fronds from last year's Palm Sunday

At the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday, burn the palms you've had since last year's Palm Sunday. Keep it in a bowl and place it on your dinner table (or anywhere else that can serve as a reminder) to reflect on the life and death of Jesus. Every time you eat, you will feel an automatic desire to be grateful for what you have.

Tips

• Abstinence for Lent is no longer a spiritual obligation. Instead of doing so, some communities or individuals choose to make new good habits, change traditions, or simplify a part of their lives. The essence of this discipline is to focus inward on a spiritual journey with Christ in preparation for Easter.
• Lent is traditionally a time when those who are thinking of becoming Christians learn about the Christian faith and prepare for baptism. This means, many churches hold additional classes to study the faith. This is a great opportunity to start learning for the first time, or to refresh your understanding, about being a follower of Christ.