How to Live Lent as a Family: A Guide for Christian Parents

As we stand on the threshold of the sacred season of Lent, our hearts are called to journey together, as a family, towards the Cross, seeking renewal, transformation, and ultimately, the joy of Easter. In the following discourse, we shall embark on a spiritual expedition, guided by the luminous beacons of Scripture, the profound teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the compassionate wisdom of our spiritual forebears.

Preparing for Lent as a Family:

Prayer as the Keystone:

Prayer is the lifeline of our spiritual journey, the heartbeat of our relationship with God. Yet, for many, prayer remains elusive, a distant aspiration rather than a daily practice. If you find yourself struggling with prayer, know that you are not alone. It’s a common challenge, but one that can be overcome with intentionality and perseverance.

To begin, let’s acknowledge that prayer takes various forms, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s about finding what resonates with you and allowing yourself the freedom to explore different prayer styles until you discover what brings you closer to God.

For those who have yet to establish a regular prayer routine, consider starting small. Begin by setting aside just a few minutes each day for quiet reflection or conversation with God. It could be as simple as expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life or sharing your hopes, fears, and struggles with Him.

As individuals, we can incorporate prayer into our daily activities, whether it’s offering a brief prayer of thanksgiving before meals, reciting a favorite psalm during moments of stress, or starting and ending each day with a moment of silence for reflection and connection with God.

As families, prayer can become a sacred ritual that binds us together in faith. Make it a priority to gather as a family for moments of prayer, whether it’s before bedtime, at meal times, or during a designated family prayer time each week. Encourage each family member to share their intentions and concerns, creating a space for mutual support and spiritual growth.

Spouces can get in the habit of praying with each other – even if it means signing the cross on each other’s forehead. Parents can also do this very simple justure with their children. It is an amazing thing when children grow up seeing their parents pray with each other.

Experiment with different prayer practices as a family, such as reading and reflecting on Scripture together, praying the Rosary as a family, or engaging in acts of service as a form of prayerful action. The key is to make prayer a natural and integral part of your family’s daily rhythm, nurturing a deeper connection with God and each other along the way.

Remember, prayer is not about perfection but about sincerity and openness of heart. God meets us where we are, in the messiness and imperfections of our lives. So don’t be discouraged if your prayer life doesn’t look like someone else’s. Embrace your unique journey and trust that God is with you every step of the way, guiding and sustaining you with His love and grace.

Almsgiving: An Act of Self-Bestowal:

Let us dive into the ocean of generosity, where the currency is not merely coins and goods, but the priceless treasures of our time, talents, and compassion. As individuals, we’re each equipped with unique gifts bestowed upon us by God, our Heavenly Father. Yet, it’s not enough to merely possess them; we’re called to multiply and share them abundantly with the world around us.

Imagine the impact we can make as families when we harness the collective power of our talents and time when we open our hearts wide to the needs of others. Almsgiving, in its truest essence, isn’t just about donating from our surplus, but about investing ourselves wholeheartedly in the service of others.

Let’s embark on this journey of selfless service together, exploring myriad ways to pour ourselves out for the flourishing of humanity. Perhaps it’s volunteering at a local soup kitchen, where the warmth of our presence and the nourishment of a shared meal kindles hope in the hearts of the hungry. Or maybe it’s dedicating our weekends to beautifying neglected spaces in our neighborhoods, transforming desolation into delight through the labor of our hands. It can also be devoting time to someone to help them clear their homes, and help with the laundry and groceries because they can’t do these things on their own. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the poverty it created is still very much there. There are still many who have not yet recovered from losing their jobs, or who lost their primary income earner to Covid or some other act. They need our help. Recently I was discussing with a friend that while it is great to help those in need, wouldn’t it be even greater to help them get back on their feet again? Something to think and pray about.

And let’s not overlook the everyday opportunities for acts of kindness and compassion that beckon to us in the midst of our busy lives. It could be as simple as lending a listening ear to a friend in need, helping a fellow student who is struggling with a subject that you are good at, offering words of encouragement to a struggling coworker, or extending a helping hand to a neighbor burdened with heavy loads.

In the words of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities” (CCC 2447). As we immerse ourselves in the practice of almsgiving, let us heed the call to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world thirsting for love and mercy.

So, let us not hoard our gifts, but rather let us lavish them upon the world with unbridled generosity, confident in the knowledge that every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to ripple outward, touching hearts and transforming lives in ways we may never fully comprehend.

Let us be the living embodiment of God’s boundless love, radiating His light into the darkest corners of our world, one act of selfless giving at a time.

Fasting: The Discipline of Self-Renunciation:

Lent, my friends, offers us a profound opportunity to engage in a transformative spiritual practice: fasting. But let’s be clear from the outset: fasting is not a dieting fad. It’s not about counting calories or shedding pounds. Rather, it’s a deliberate act of self-denial, a conscious decision to detach from the fleeting pleasures of this world in order to draw closer to the eternal joys of heaven.

As we journey through Lent as families, let us embrace fasting as a sacred discipline, a pathway to deeper intimacy with God. It’s about more than just giving up chocolate or caffeine; it’s about stripping away the excesses and distractions that clutter our lives so that we can more fully focus on the things that truly matter.

Picture this: as a family, we sit down together and prayerfully discern how we can fast in a way that is meaningful and impactful for each of us. Perhaps one member chooses to fast from social media, another from television, and another from unnecessary spending. And alongside fasting, we commit ourselves to fervent prayer and generous almsgiving, recognizing that these three pillars of Lent—fasting, prayer, and almsgiving—are intimately intertwined, each supporting and strengthening the others.

Scripture reminds us of the profound significance of fasting: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). Through our fasting, we participate in God’s work of liberation and redemption, both in our own lives and in the world around us.

So, how can families enter into this important spiritual discipline? It begins with open hearts and willing spirits. We come together as a family, acknowledging our weaknesses and limitations, but also our deep desire to grow closer to God. We commit ourselves to supporting and encouraging one another along the way, recognizing that our individual acts of fasting are part of a larger, communal journey towards holiness.

And as we fast, we do so with intentionality and purpose, constantly turning our hearts towards God in prayer and seeking opportunities to share our blessings with those in need. In this way, our fasting becomes not just a personal sacrifice, but a tangible expression of our love for God and our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

So let us embrace fasting this Lent with courage and conviction, trusting that as we deny ourselves for the sake of the kingdom, God will richly bless us and fill us with his abundant grace. Together, as families united in faith, let us walk this path of self-denial and transformation, confident that our fasting will indeed be a fragrant offering unto the Lord.

Living Lent as a Family:

Apart from the three Lenten pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, here are three others of equal or greater importance. These are regular attendance at Holy Mass, making use of the under-utilized sacrament of reconciliation, and making forgiveness a habit in our families as well as our individual lives. Although I have said this before in a previous post, it is worth mentioning here again. For us to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and grow in intimacy with Him, all that is being discussed in this post must be part of who we are! They must become part of our DNA, and not rituals that we pick up for Lent, and when the season is over, we revert to our former selves. Absolutely no growth takes place there and you would just be wasting your time. So pray for the grace to make all of these who you are.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is far from being a ritual or a religious obligation; it is the very heartbeat of our familial worship. Gathered together in the sanctuary of the Church, we encounter the living presence of Christ in the Eucharist—the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. This sacred banquet nourishes our souls, fortifying us for the trials and triumphs of our earthly pilgrimage.

Consider this: in the breaking of bread at Emmaus, two disciples encountered the risen Lord, their hearts burning within them as He revealed Himself in the Eucharist (Luke 24:30-31). Likewise, when we partake of the Eucharist with reverence and awe, we are united with Christ in a profound and intimate way, drawing strength and sustenance for the journey ahead.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). It is here, at the altar of sacrifice, that heaven meets earth, and humanity is drawn into communion with the Triune God. Our participation in the Mass should not be a mere obligation, but a sacred privilege—an invitation to encounter the living God and be transformed by His love.

Now, let us turn our gaze to the Sacrament of Reconciliation—the Wellspring of Mercy. In our brokenness and sinfulness, we often stray from the path of righteousness, wandering far from the embrace of our Heavenly Father. Yet, in His infinite mercy, God offers us the gift of reconciliation—a sacred font of healing and restoration.

Scripture assures us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). How beautiful is the promise of God’s forgiveness, freely given to all who humbly seek it! Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we are reconciled not only with God but also with one another, healing the wounds of sin and division within our families.

Finally, let us consider the importance of forgiveness—the Key to Familial Harmony. In a world marked by conflict and strife, the practice of forgiveness is often overlooked or undervalued. Yet, within the sacred confines of the family, forgiveness is the golden thread that binds us together in love.

The Catechism reminds us that forgiveness is “the fundamental condition of the reconciliation of the children of God with their Father and of men with one another” (CCC 2844). When we extend grace to one another, freely forgiving as we have been forgiven, we imitate the boundless love of our Heavenly Father and pave the way for true peace and reconciliation within our homes.

As we journey through Lent, let us challenge ourselves to embrace these sacred truths—to make the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the practice of forgiveness integral to our lives and our families. Let us approach the altar with hearts open to receive the gift of Christ’s presence. Let us frequent the confessional, seeking the mercy and forgiveness that flow from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. And let us cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation within our families, sowing seeds of peace and harmony that will bear fruit for generations to come.

In the words of St. Augustine, “Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.” Let us, therefore, be agents of reconciliation and instruments of peace, as we journey together towards the fullness of life in Christ.

Practical Examples:

• Initiate a family retreat or day of reflection to inaugurate the Lenten season.
• Curate a Lenten calendar replete with daily Scripture readings, reflections, and activities tailored to the unique dynamics of your family.
• Engage in corporal acts of mercy as a family, such as volunteering at a local soup kitchen or visiting the elderly.
• Dedicate a designated family meal each week to communal prayer, reflection, and dialogue centered on the Lenten journey.
• Integrate acts of penance and sacrifice into the fabric of daily family life, whether it be through fasting from certain pleasures or embracing simplicity in material possessions.

As we traverse the hallowed terrain of Lent together as families, may our hearts be illumined by the radiant splendor of Christ’s love, guiding us ever closer to the consummation of our Easter joy.

In the communion of saints and the fellowship of our familial bond, let us press onward, with unwavering resolve and steadfast faith to make this the best Lent ever!

P.S. Share with us your family’s cherished Lenten traditions and experiences in the comments below! Let us journey together, buoyed by the collective wisdom and solidarity of our faith community.