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Lent is the Church’s primary penitential season. It is the season of conversion when we seek to become more Christ-like by choosing a Lenten penance which helps us to renew our Baptismal promises at Easter with a deepened faith.
The three traditional practices of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. A genuine commitment to these practices leads to a deepened awareness of God and conversion of the heart. Since the family is the domestic Church, in this article I will focus on some ways that we can live Lent as a domestic family. Some of these ways may also apply to the extended family and the Church family.
Prayer
Prayer can help us to become more responsive to those suffering. During Lent, families can pray for victims of injustice before dinner, bedtime, and at Mass.
Family members can also remind each other that according to George Weigel, there were more martyrs in the 20th century than in all the previous centuries since Christ’s Ascension combined.
Also according to a Catholic News Agency report, around the world, there are 260 million Christians who face persecution. This does not include the millions of non-Christians who are also persecuted for their beliefs.
Families can pray that mothers of unborn babies give birth to their unborn baby. Abortion is an injustice done to the unborn child.
Families can participate in Mass, Lenten devotions, Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and the Rosary.
After praying the Rosary, families can silently examine their conscience and make an Act of Contrition. Doing so helps families and others to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent as Pope Francis urges.
Fasting
Families help their members keep the rules of fast and abstinence. They also help family members to recognize their bad habits, overcome them, and live with an awareness of their dependence on God’s love. My mother always reminded us of the fast and abstinence rules. When I first became a priest, I missed her reminders.
Fasting is a means of expressing solidarity with those who are suffering around the world. Families can choose at least one meal each week of Lent at which they eat less food than normal. At that meal, they can be especially aware that on this day many people will go without a meal. Later that day when they feel hungry, family members can use that hunger as a reminder to pray for those who have little food.
Fasting is not just an outward practice, but an inner transformation.
In Isaiah 58:6 it says, “Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose, releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke!”
Family members can fast from spreading gossip. Self-righteousness may tempt them to say hurtful things about others to make the family member feel better about themselves. Gossip dehumanizes people and renders them more likely to treat others with disrespect. When family members are tempted to act negatively towards others, they can pray instead for those they may have hurt with gossip. They can pray for a more generous heart.
Family members can reach out to someone else by text, email, or a handwritten note of encouragement. They can choose someone in need and send them a line or two of encouragement such as “our family is praying for you.” Often such small things make a big difference.
Almsgiving
Almsgiving reminds us that we will be judged on how we share with those in need as expressed in Matthew 25:34-7.
Families can select a charitable organization and collect donation money that they put in a jar. They can contribute a set amount of money, determined by the family, each day or week of Lent. They can give up buying junk food and contribute the money saved to the jar.
Young children who cannot contribute money can contribute by decorating the jar. Families can hold a yard sale or invite friends to join them for a meal. Family members can invite individuals or a family with whom they are not acquainted for dinner. It might be someone new in town, an older single person, or an elderly couple whose children or grandchildren live far away!
A family can go through their possessions and find gently used items and pray about how they can bless others with these things. Families can give toys, clothes, or baby gear to pregnancy support centers or foster care agencies, or families in need.
At mealtime, family members can occasionally take turns saying something nice or encouraging about each member.
Celebrating Lent as a family are some of my fondest memories of my younger years. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may these suggestions inspire families and individuals to add to their treasure of memories by celebrating Lent as a family!
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.