Wednesday, March 2, 2022
Lent is a time to answer the call to conversion. Catholics practice self discipline by abstaining from meat on Fridays and making other small sacrifices. Giving alms and spending increased time in prayer are also traditional practices during this holy season. Catholics also are encouraged to go to reconciliation during Lent.
- General ideas for Lent are listed below.
- Also see the calendar page for ideas related to specific Sundays in Lent
- For Holy Week see
Top ideas for Lent
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry in Jerusalem, days before he was arrested and crucified. It is celebrated the Sunday before Easter and is the beginning of Holy Week.
Washed Away Prayer Service
This prayer service makes a nice accompaniment to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It could also be used for a youth ministry meeting about forgiveness or baptism. #YouthMinistry #forgiven
Why Have You Forsaken Me?
In this article from LifeTeen, Carrie Miller explains how alone she felt after the death of her father. Then she expresses how encountering Jesus in adoration helped her heal. And how she came to a deeper understanding of what the…
Do Yardwork for the Elderly in Your Neighborhood
Service projects are a type of almsgiving during Lent. One popular project with teens and younger children is yardwork for the elderly. There might be some leaves left from the fall. Or fallen branches from winter storms. Or just some…
Lenten Activities: Give Up Video Games for a Weekend
For many of us, video games have become a way to escape reality and blow off some steam. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, there is a tendency in our culture to spend a lot of time gaming.
Where Is Lent in the Bible?
This video explains the origins of Lent – a time of preparation, and testing, and training. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the desert preparing for his ministry, we spend 40 days engaging in battle.
Lent in 3 Minutes (Video)
This brief video from Busted Halo answers some basic questions about Lent: What is Lent? What is Ash Wednesday? Why do people have ashes on their heads? Why fast, pray, and give during Lent?
Start a Prayer Journal
Lent is a time when we explore ways to deepen our prayer lives. A prayer journal is a good way to stay focused during prayer. I find this an especially helpful practice for teens who are trying to develop a…
Lenten Activities: Fast on a Day Other Than Ash Wednesday or Good Friday
Catholics are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Adding another day of fasting is a way of practicing an additional sacrifice during Lent. You can decide to fast one day per week. (Friday would be a traditional…
Even more resources for Lent
Post a Religious Message to Social Media
Some people fast from social media during Lent. This can be a very effective way to regain wasted time. But if you are not fasting from social media, consider posting an inspirational message. This is a really good Lenten practice…
Lenten Activities: Read a Story from the Gospels
Get together with your family to read a gospel story this Lent. This is also a great activity for Sunday school or youth ministry. You can select one from the daily mass readings. But sometimes the daily gospel can be…
Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. One person who often requests our prayers is our Holy Father, Pope Francis. In fact, his very first Instagram post was simply captioned “Pray for me”.
Lenten Activities: Go for a Quiet Walk
Consider going on a 30 minute walk as a Lenten activity. Turn off the music and walk in silence. This is an especially powerful experience for teenagers, who have a lot of noise and distraction in their lives. #Lent #GoForAWalk,…
Make a Gratitude List Every Day and Pray with It
Gratitude can be one of the most fruitful forms of prayer. When we specifically notice things to be grateful for, we become aware of and acknowledge God’s constant presence in our lives. Practicing gratitude daily is a practice which can…
Lenten Activities: Attend Good Friday Services
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter. On Good Friday, Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us. There is no mass on Good Friday, but your local parish will hold a liturgy to remember this…
Give Something You Like to Charity
Giving away clothes or toys to a charity is a good way to practice almsgiving. But just giving away something you don’t want or use anymore is more like an act of closet cleaning than an act of sacrifice. Consider…
How to Pray for Somebody Who Has Hurt You
Today for Lent, why not pray for someone who has hurt you? This is especially powerful if you are still harboring some resentment. Pray from your heart, but if you are having trouble getting started, try this prayer.
Lenten Activities: Go to a Fish Fry
Yes. It’s a Catholic tradition. The fish fry. In our area local news stations even publicize them and have maps of them on their websites. Sure they are related to our practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays, but they…
Say a Rosary With Your Family or Youth Group
The rosary is one of the most misunderstood Catholic devotions. While some non-Catholics see it as worshiping Mary, it is in fact focused on Christ. The mysteries of the rosary are based on important events in the life of Christ.…
Lenten Activities: Visit an Elderly Relative or a Nursing Home
Visiting an elderly relative or friend can be a meaningful activity for children and teens during Lent. Or visit a nursing home. But it can also be uncomfortable for children, young and old, who are not used to visiting with…
Lenten Activities: Make Pretzels and Say a Prayer
The pretzel is a symbol of prayer. The twist in the pretzel is meant to look like hands in prayer. And pretzels are made with simple ingredients – no sugar, butter, eggs, milk, etc. Includes a prayer you can say…
Lenten Activities: Make an Offering Box
Lent is a beautiful opportunity to offer ourselves to our Lord. An offering box is a tangible way to make our offerings. It can be used for many different types of offerings. #Lent #sacrifice #offering
It is good to keep your prayer life fresh by trying a new type of prayer from time to time. While I like just sitting and listening or doing something a little less structured like Lectio Divina, sometimes there are…
The Significance of Ash Wednesday
In this video, Fr. Mike talks about the significance of Ash Wednesday. What do the ashes mean? We understand we have reached a low point and are in need of redemption. But the ashes go beyond shame.
Make a Prayer Rock (VBS or Youth Ministry Activity)
A prayer rock is a simple way to remember to pray each day. Parents can lay them on their children’s pillows so they remember to pray. Teens can keep them in their backpacks or lockers. Anyone can put them on…
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Consider going to reconciliation as a family or with youth group or youth ministry. And then do something afterwards to celebrate this beautiful gift of grace from our Lord. Go out for pizza together or something similar.
Lent dice is a way to choose what activity to do each day for Lent. You roll two dice. One die will indicate what you will do that day and the other will indicate your intention, whom you are doing…
Lenten Activities: Go to a Weekday Mass
One of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics is prayer. During this holy season we are called to grow closer to our Lord by increasing and focusing our prayer life. What better way to do this than by attending a…
Lenten Activities: Give Up Complaining for a Day
It is so easy to fall into the habit of complaining. To really not complain at all for one day is more difficult than it sounds. So don’t complain about anything. At all. Really. Fast from complaining. #Lent #fasting #NoComplaints
Lenten Activities: Give Up Candy and Soda for a Week
The three traditional Catholic practices during Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Long term fasting during Lent can be difficult for young children. So instead of giving up something for all of Lent they can give up something different each…
Make Blessing Bags for the Homeless
Almsgiving is one of the traditional Lenten practices. One way to give to the less fortunate is to make blessing bags for the homeless. These care packages can be given to a local homeless shelter or outreach program to be…
Lenten Activities: Attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates the last supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, when the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist took place. Holy Thursday is not a holy day of obligation, but you should consider…
Broken (so that we could be made whole)
This video from LifeTeen shows how Jesus Christ is waiting for us in all of our messy sinfulness. Jesus was broken so that we could be made whole. It focuses on the Pascal Mystery.
Lenten Activities: Make Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are traditionally served during Lent, particularly on Good Friday in some parts of the world. The cross on them reminds us of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spices used in them are reminders of…
Mark Hart on Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion and Death
What does the cross mean? In this video, Mark Hart describes the physical process of crucifixion. Jesus chose to be beaten, humiliated, and killed for us. When you wear that cross on your neck or make the sign of the…
Lenten Activities: Fast from a Second Helping
Some of us have such an abundance of food while others in this world have so little. This Lent, try fasting from a second helping. Start with a moderate first helping and then stop.
On Holy Thursday, Catholics remember the last supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles. This marks the establishment of the sacrament of the Eucharist and the priesthood.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Appliances
We have many modern conveniences which are not available to many in our world. As an act of solidarity with those living in poverty, try fasting from appliances. This is also often an environmentally friendly Lenten practice.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Your Cell Phone
Did you know there was a time before people had cell phones? It might seem impossible to fast from your cell phone, but you might discover you have more time to pay attention to other people and to the Lord.
Lenten Activities: Abstain from Meat on a Day in Addition to Friday
Fasting is one of the traditional Catholic Lenten practices. All Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a form of fasting. For personal fasting, you can choose to voluntarily abstain from meat one more day during the week.
“Ash Wednesday is full of joy…The source of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust.” – Thomas Merton
Lenten Activities: Send a Card or Letter to a Home Bound
Most of us cannot imagine what it is like to be home-bound and totally dependent on others. Many will response with love and joy when we reach out to them. Send a greeting to a home-bound parishioner.
Sometimes we have truly been hurt by another person. And we can know in our head that we have to forgive, but our heart still aches and wants to lash out. So if you are having difficultly forgiving someone, use…
On Good Friday, Catholics remember the death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This is a solemn day of fast and abstinence.
Lenten Activities: Pray at Bedtime for Those Sleeping on the Street
Before you climb into your bed, pray for those who don’t have a bed. There are homeless in every city who sleep out in the elements. Say a bedtime prayer for those sleeping on the street.
Four Reasons for Fasting Video
Why should Christians fast? In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz explains what some good reasons for fasting.
Best Lenten Activities for Catholic Families from 2020
As we prepare for Lent in 2021, it is a good time to look at some of our best Lenten activities for Catholic families from last year. These Lenten recipes and devotions were the most popular on our site in…
In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz offers some suggestions on how to pray. Prayer is not an option for Christians. Prayer requires putting in some effort.
Lenten Activities: Take a Meal to a Widowed Neighbor
Perhaps you have a neighbor who recently lost a a beloved husband or wife. Help feed body and soul by taking a meal. Recently widowed especially need to know that they are not alone.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Over-Scheduling
Sometimes it seems like we have so much to do that we can’t fit another 10 minutes in our schedule. Over scheduling can be a real problem. If we don’t have enough unscheduled time then we cannot live in the…
Lenten Activities: Visit a Garden and Pray
Christ went to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a prayer of total surrender to the Father’s will. So as a Lenten activity, go to a garden and think about the Garden of Gethsemane. Take your children and…
Lenten Activities: Fast from Emails and Texts
We have become so dependent on emails and texts to connect us with others. Try fasting from emailing and texting this Lent.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Comparing Yourself to Others
Are you looking for something challenging to do during Lent? Try to fast from comparing yourself to others. When we become more accepting of our own gifts and talents and less envious of what others can do, we can live…
Follow the Holy Father on Twitter
Did you know Pope Francis tweets almost every day on Twitter? Follow him for daily inspiration and then share his messages with others on your own social media outlets.
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish…
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked…
Do Something Nice for the Environment
In his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis urges us to be better stewards of the Earth, our common home. All Catholics are called to practice environmental justice. So do something nice for the environment.
Lenten Activities: Buy Extra Food at the Grocery Store and Take It To a Pantry
You might be saving money this Lent by fasting from something. When you are at the store, spend that money on some extra cans of food. Then take the food to your local food pantry.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Gossip
Gossip impacts our relationships with each other and divides the Body of Christ. And it can easily become a bad habit and a false way to develop a feeling of “belonging”. So fast from it this Lent.
Lenten Activities: Research and Select a Charity to Support
Almsgiving is an important part of Lent. Often we will save money by fasting from something and give the money to charity. So spend some time researching charities and decide which one to support.
Lenten Practices: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving
Lent is a time of penance. It is a time when we reflect on the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Catholics have three main practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All Catholics, young and old, can participate…
A prayer labyrinth is a circle with a path in it which you walk while you pray. The purpose of the labyrinth is to facilitate prayer. Several Catholic retreat centers in our area have prayer labyrinths on their grounds. They…
Pray the Night Prayer from Liturgy of the Hours
The Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours is a really peaceful way to end my day. Some people feel like the Liturgy of the Hours is too “old fashioned” to use with teens and children, but I feel…
First Person Stations of the Cross
This mediation will take youth through the way of the cross. They will see each station as if they were there. The prayers are meant to relate to their own lives. This is appropriate during Lent or even if you…
Lenten Activities: Make a Prayer Chain
A prayer chain puts our prayers in a tangible form. For children, this can be a good way to teach about the different types of prayer. #prayer #YouthGroup #YouthMinistry #ReligiousEd #CCD #PSR #VBS
Lenten Activities: Fast from Worrying
We worry about so many things. We can worry about money or what others think about us or friendship or a particular situation. Try giving up worrying for Lent.
Do One of the Corporal Works of Mercy
The gospels show us that Jesus reached out to those in need. His life is a model for how we should interact with others. One way to do this is through the Corporal Works of Mercy. Consider looking at these…
Fasting is one of the pillars of Lent. This is a family activity to determine what to fast from each day.
Lenten Activities: Give Up a Favorite TV Program for a Week
Do you have a program you’ve started binge watching? Build your self control by putting down the remote control. Give up your favorite TV program for a week.
Lent and Triduum Cryptogram Puzzle
This printable cryptogram is a fun way to introduce youth to the vocabulary for Lent and Triduum. Each word is encrypted and definitions are given. Youth must consider the definition and then decrypt the word.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Light
There is only one true light in our world: Jesus Christ. Try fasting from light for an hour. Turn off your lights and lamps. Resist the urge to pick up your phone. At most, light a single candle. Then spend…
Lenten Activities: Pray through a Loving Action
A loving act of service can be a prayer. Try doing some loving actions this Lent. This can be powerful prayer, especially if the action is difficult for you.
Lenten Activities: Give Away Some Clothes
Go through your closet and choose one thing to give away. Try it for a week or even every day through Lent. Give the items to a thrift store which supports a charity.
In this video, Fr Mike Schmitz talks about how to prepare for Lent. The point of Lent is get rid of something which is keeping us from Jesus and to take steps which will bring us closer to Jesus.
Make Jars with the Jelly Bean Prayer to Prepare for Easter
The Jelly Bean Prayer is a fun Easter prayer for your family or youth ministry. Make up some jars of jelly beans to give away with the prayer during the Octave of Easter. Put them on display for the rest…
Lenten Activities: Fast from Criticizing
It is difficult to let go of the desire to criticize, either aloud criticism or criticism in your thoughts. Try to give it up this Lent.
Listen to Praise and Worship Songs While Doing Chores
I am a homemaker, and I’ll admit that cleaning the house is not my favorite thing to do. But it is an act of love for my family. And listing to praise and worship songs while doing chores reminds me…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Catholics attending mass on this day have their foreheads marked with ashes as a sign of repentance.
Make a Rosary Slide Bracelet or Key-Chain
A rosary slide bracelet or keychain is a nice craft to remind children and teens to pray. I like making the key-chain which can actually be used for keys for teenagers. Or if they don’t need a key chain they…
Lenten Activities: Attend Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross are a lovely Lenten tradition. It the devotion, we make the journey to Calvary with our Lord Jesus Christ, focusing on how he suffered for us and his interactions with those he met on the way. …
Four Reasons for Almsgiving Video
In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz tells us why we should give alms. It is not to make us feel good about ourselves. But there are some important reasons why we should practice almsgiving.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are a way for us to accompany and encourage each other on our faith journey. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of charity through which we show our love for each other by .
Lenten Activities: Pray Through Artwork
Some people pray by writing in a journal. Others are inspired by music. But some might be moved by the visual arts. So visit an art museum or spend some time drawing.
Lenten Activities: Fast From Hitting the Snooze Button
If you like to sleep in, this might be the Lenten fasting practice for you. When your alarm goes off, don’t hit the snooze button. Instead, get up and pray!
This article from Busted Halo describes how Lent can be a little bit like March Madness. We make our brackets and fill them in. ” Lent isn’t basketball though. ” This article may resonate with your youth and encourage them…
Lenten Activities; Pay Attention to Somebody You Normally Avoid
We all have people we try to avoid for one reason or another. This Lent, pick a person you would normally try to stay away from and pay some attention to him or her. Have a conversation.
Lenten Activities: Fast from Refusing Help
Fast from refusing help during Lent. If somebody asks for help, and you have the ability to help in some way, then take action. If you need a boost, read the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Pray By Putting Yourself in a Gospel Scene
St. Ignatius of Loyola believed that God gave us our imaginations and could use this gift to speak to us. One method of praying in the Ignatian tradition is to put yourself in a gospel scene and to see where…
Pray for More Vocations to the Priesthood
Why should we pray for more vocations to the priesthood? It is no secret that we need more priests in the Catholic Church. Giving your whole life to the service of the Church is counter-cultural and many young people do…
Make a Prayer Table in Your Home
A prayer table is a small sacred space in your home or classroom. It can be a place to gather for prayer as a group or for individual prayer.
Lenten Activities: Have a Poor Man’s Meal for Dinner
Fasting is one of the traditional Lenten practices for Catholics. One way to fast is to have a poor man’s meal. Instead of a full dinner, have a simple bowl of soup and a few crackers. This method of fasting…
Visit a Cemetery With Your Family
Visit a cemetery as a Lenten activity. Lent is a time to think about our own mortality and how Jesus brings us from death into life through His sacrifice on the cross. With children, especially young children, it is best…