Lenten resources for spiritual growth abound

By Clarion Herald Staff
Photo courtesy of Religious Education

The seasons of the liturgical year provide a rhythm to help Catholics grow spiritually.

For the season of Lent, the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education has collaborated with the Office of Evangelization to create practical tools for those desiring to maximize the beneficial impact of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

These tools can be accessed at NOLACatholic.org/Lent.

They include:

“Lent 2020: Prayer + Fasting + Almsgiving” – an overview of the three pillars that includes scriptural references and a summary of Catholic Lenten regulations.

A “Car Visor Discussion Guide” that can help family members take full advantage of “car time” to deepen their Lenten practice as individuals and/or as a family. The card with suggested “conversation starters” can be printed out and attached to the car visor.

“The thought was, how can we use time in the car as catechetical time?” said Dominican Father David Caron, vicar for evangelization.

A “Listen to Him” Lenten Journey tri-fold, with Gospel passages and reflections for the Sundays of Lent, which can be used in a variety of ways, including on cell phones and/or tablets.

Faithful use of these tools during this holy season can take us well beyond simply “giving things up for Lent,” as we endeavor to purify our hearts in preparation for the unsurpassed commemoration of the Paschal Mystery during the Triduum.

Appropriate use of these Lenten resources and practices can enhance our appreciation of God’s goodness and mercy, culminating in the joyous celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.

Other ideas for Lent

The ideas below were adapted from “The Easter Book” by Jesuit Father Francis Xavier Weiser. The priest advises that consistency is the key to maintaining home traditions: “Don’t try to do too many,” he says. “Better to do just one or two, and do them faithfully and well, than try to do many half-heartedly.”

Lenten family offering: In addition to determining an action, sacrifice or change you wish to make personally during Lent, commit to doing something as a family during the season. It could be anything from skipping dessert, to eating together as a family, to putting away your phones during meal time. Or perhaps you could invite a neighbor who lives alone to a dinner or movie night in your home.

Lenten candelabrum: If you can’t make it to church on Lenten Fridays, say the stations of the cross as a family at home. The stations begin with all the candles lit. A family member blows out a candle after the corresponding station is recited. The last candle is extinguished after the 12th station to symbolize how the Light of the World is gone.The final two stations can be finished with the aid of a small flashlight.

Read Scripture together: Read the various Gospel accounts of Christ’s Passion, a little at a time. Your family will hear these accounts at Mass, but at home you will be able to answer any questions your children might have.

Visit the sick: If you do not have an elderly family member, call a nearby senior home.