Preparing for a Simple Lent

Lent begins next week- are you ready? I, for one, am quite grateful that it begins later than usual this year. I seem to always be barely recovering from the whirlwind of Advent and Christmas when Lent jumps in to surprise me. This year we had a nice chunk of ordinary time to break things up. That was really helpful. For the first time (probably ever), I am feeling ready for Lent a whole week before Ash Wednesday.

As I was clicking around for ideas online, I became quickly overwhelmed by the number of links and posts of Lenten ideas. I realized that a woman can get herself into quite a tizzy trying to observe a season meant to slow us down. Doesn't that seem a bit ironic?

I'm actually a little hesitant to share what we're doing because I really don't want to contribute to that feeling of there's-so-much-to-do-how-will-we-ever-get-to-it-all that seems so contradictory to the purpose of Lent. I also hate to think that anything I post would make someone else feel like she isn't doing enough. I feel that way sometimes when I'm reading blogs.

I'm posting our Lenten plans because I'd like to record our family traditions and practices (so that next year, when I'm wracking my brain trying to remember, I'll know where to look). I'm also posting them because I think it's helpful to see that you don't have to do it all. I saw so many wonderful ideas as I was looking around the blogosphere. But you can't do everything! I hope you'll see my short list of Lenten practices and feel more comfortable making your own short, simple list of ways to live out the season.

1. Burying the Alleluia
This is a tradition my children learned when they were a part of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  On the first day of Lent, we roll up that beautiful Alleluia like a scroll, tie it with a purple ribbon, and tuck it away. As a Church, we don't sing or say the word "Alleluia" for the duration of Lent. Alleluia is an Easter word! We put it away, so to speak, and when we reclaim it on Easter Sunday, how joyful it feels to let it roll of our lips. After 40 days of quiet, we are practically bursting with Alleluia. :) Physically burying the word reminds us that joy always follows suffering. We must wait for it, but it will come. Alleluia!

(Here's a link to a google doc with the Alleluia on it. Feel free to click over and print one.)

2. Marking the days
There are many ways to mark the 40 days of Lent. Usually, we mark them as a family on a large poster board (you can see last year's here). This year, I opted to print these smaller charts from Catholic Icing. The kids will simply color each day (in purple, Lent's true color) as it passes. We see ourselves journeying closer and closer to Easter joy.

3. Offering up sacrifices
Though we make it a habit every year to increase our sacrifices during Lent, this is the first year we will use a crown of thorns to help us. Each time a child makes a sacrifice or commits an act of charity, he or she will (as secretly as possible) pull a thorn from Christ's crown. In this way, the children are reminded that when we love others, we lessen the suffering of Our Lord. By contrast, when we act uncharitably toward others, we contribute to the pain of the cross. How joyous it will be to see that crown, thornless on Easter Sunday. What a gift to give our Lord.

As a Church, we do not eat meat on Fridays. In addition, each of us gives up one thing we are attached to for these 40 days. Giving something up for Lent is not a trite practice. It helps us remember (every time we want that particular food or drink, or whatever else we have decided to give up!) that we are abundantly blessed. So blessed, that giving up something seemingly small can be rather difficult. What greater sacrifices is God calling us to make? How can we better ponder the incredible sacrifice He made for us?

4. Praying the Stations of the Cross
Meditating on the Way of Christ is one of Christianity's oldest traditions. To help us really consider the sacrifice Jesus made for us, we will read from Mary Joslin's The Story of the Cross each morning. We will also use these 3-part cards to help us remember each of the stations. The children will have time to work with these on their own.

In addition to these practices, we will read through Jude Winkler's Celebrating Lent. This fantastic little booklet helps children understand the rich heritage of our Church's Lenten traditions. We'll also work through the Lenten presentations in Moira Farrell's Home Catechesis albums. I need to get a good look at those to get them ready.

I think it's important not to get wrapped up in too much doing during Lent. We can observe this important spiritual season in a way that honors God and that allows us to really slow down, simplify, and hear what He has to say to us. I hope this post helps you see that you don't have to become a whirling dervish to pull off a good Lenten atmosphere in your home. In fact, you'll probably set a better atmosphere by keeping things as quiet, simple, and reverent as you possibly can.

I pray that your Lenten season is blessed with His abundant grace.

Peace, friends!

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