10 Most Powerful Ideas for a Successful Lent
Lent is the most powerful time of the Church year to grow in faith. Not only can the spiritual disciplines of Lent literally change our lives and help us grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ, but this season in particular is ripe for meriting extraordinary graces. This article will help aid your Lenten journey for a most fruitful 40 days of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
It should go without saying that during Lent, Mass and regular confession are a must. They are the “non-negotiables” of the season. But there are other spiritual practices that will aid and strengthen your Lenten journey in combination with Mass and Confession. As you read through these 10 Most Powerful Ideas for a Successful Lent, pray that God shows you His Will for your life. Allow Him to lead you through the proverbial Lenten desert so you can achieve all you’re looking for this year and always.
10 Most Powerful Ideas for a Successful Lent
Read Holy Scripture
Make it a point to read the Bible as often as possible during Lent. We suggest doing so while using a good Church-approved Commentary (like the Saint Jerome’s Commentary). Reading Holy Scripture during Lent is especially important because the Bible is the living Word of God — the only living and breathing printed Word this side of Heaven. In it, God teaches us about Himself, His divinity, our human history, as well as sheds light on our personal experiences here and now.
The Bible is often referred to as “God’s love letter” to mankind. In this letter, God reminds us of how loved and protected by Him we truly are. In addition, it unrolls the roadmap before us showing us how to go from where we are now to where we want to go — Heaven.
Reading the Bible for at least 30 minutes a day (especially during Lent), moreover, gives us a special indulgence … and let’s be honest, we need all the help we can get. If you’re new to reading Scripture, start in the New Testament with the first four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. From there, continue reading in chronological order the remaining Books of the New Testament. Once you’re finished with the New Testament, start from the beginning of the Bible in Genesis, and work your way chronologically through the Old Testament and the New Testament again. At this point you will have read the entire Holy Bible cover-to-cover!
When we read and seek to understand God’s Word, we show Him that He matters most to us; that learning what He says is most important. We also begin to encounter and understand Christ’s love for us in a deeper and more real way. Feeling His love, a divine and agape kind of love, makes it impossible for us not to fall more in love with Him — the key to a blessed life.
Attend Mass
Second, attend Holy Mass as often as possible during this season. For example, if you are able to, attend Mass at least one extra day of the week besides Sundays. Friday’s during Lent are an especially great option considering Jesus’ journey to Good Friday as well as the meditations offered upon the Stations of the Cross.
While at Mass, offer up works of charity by offering the Mass prayers and intentions for people in need — for the sick, poor, dying, and for those in purgatory. You can also enroll your family, friends, deceased friends and loved ones in perpetual Masses offered by various religious orders.
In addition, make sure to pray extra prayers of thanksgiving to God after Holy Communion. Stay in Church as long as possible to pray and meditate. This is the time to merit as many graces as possible.
Adoration
Third, go to Eucharistic Adoration once a week. If you are looking for a slice of Heaven on earth apart from the Holy Mass, spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament. Christ Himself asked His disciples to stay one hour with Him in His time of agony. That same request is presented to us today. Can we not spend one hour with our Lord, especially during this most solemn time of year?
Works of Mercy
Fourth, complete as many works of spiritual and/or corporal mercy as presents itself. Ask yourself each morning, “What pain or suffering am I able to offer up for the salvation of souls today?” Don’t let your own suffering go to waste especially during Lent. Do you know someone who is sick and/or dying? Go visit that person. See someone who is hungry? Make a meal for them. Bring extra words of comfort to those in pain. Know anyone who has experienced loss? Send them a handwritten card and let them know you’re thinking of them. And whilst doing all this, don’t let your right hand know what your left is doing. Do all your charitable acts in secret because what you do in secret is most definitely seen by your Father in Heaven.
Pray the Rosary
Fifth, pray the Rosary. During Lent, make it a point to turn off the TV, laptop, music, etc. Turn down the noise of the world and make space for quite prayer. The Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers we have this side of Heaven. Use this time of Lent to make it a point to pray the Rosary devoutly in complete solitude.
During her apparitions, Our Lady requested us to pray in a very certain way. She exhorted mankind to pray the Rosary everyday. At her approved apparition in Kibeho, moreover, Our Lady requested us to pray the Seven Sorrows Rosary wherein we consider how the Mother of God mourns over our sins.
In addition to praying the daily Rosary and Seven Sorrows Rosary prayer, pray a special rosary prayer for your marriage (if you are married) or for another couple who is going through a difficult time.
Intercede for others
Sixth, put together a list of people to pray for. Intercessory prayer is one of the most powerful forms of prayer as well as one of the most charitable. Each day, say a prayer for someone in need. Adopt that person in prayer throughout the season of Lent. As you make an act of self-denial by praying for others, pray: “Oh Jesus, I do this act out of love for You and for the conversion and/or need of [person’s name] and their soul.”
Whilst praying for others, don’t forget to pray for your local priests and bishops. Ask God to strengthen and inspire them in the way that He Himself governs, teaches, preaches, and sanctifies. Our priests and bishops need many prayers — especially with the crises we see in the Church today. Let’s do our best to pray for them and for others as often as possible.
Mini-pilgrimage
Seventh, make a mini-pilgrimage. How about traveling to a new traditional Latin Church this month and making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament? Stay there and pray a holy hour of adoration before the Lord. Spend some time looking at all their beautiful and traditional artwork and statues while there also.
Spiritual Reading
Eighth (this one is important!), delve into traditional spiritual reading this season. In addition to Holy Scripture, pick up historically, theologically, and traditionally-sound spiritual literature. Read books about the Passion of Christ and what He has done for you on the Cross (St. Alphonsus Liguori has some great ones!). Read literature about the Church’s sacraments and the truest meaning of the Holy Mass. When we read in-depth about the Holy Eucharist, we meet Jesus up close and personal in a whole new way.
Moreover, think about delving into the lives of the Saints and their spiritual disciplines which made them into who and what they are — canonized saints! Don’t forget to add to your mix great books on how to grow in holiness and Christ-like virtue. There’s no doubt that spiritual reading is the spiritual training for our soul. As is the case for any type of growth in life, we must train. Our spiritual lives are no different and Lent is a most perfect time to get busy learning and growing.
Simple Sacrifices
Ninth, make daily sacrifices. Be mindful of the little things you do and how you can be increasingly sacrificial with your time and resources. Instead of just cleaning off your own dish, for example, offer to clean another’s dish also. Make dinner for someone who doesn’t have the time; do an extra load of laundry for a family member in the house; take out the trash when you normally wouldn’t, etc. Look for small ways to be sacrificial for others and watch how the love of life pours back into you.
Stations of the Cross
Last but certainly not least, pray the Stations of the Cross. If you can find a local Church who prays them on Fridays, join them! You can also set up a mini “Stations of the Cross” in your home and mediate on Christ’s Passion. In the words of St. Augustine, one tear shed over the thought of Christ’s Passion is more meritorious than a pilgrimage to the Holy Land or an entire year of fasting on bread and water!
Whenever and however we get the chance, we should practice meditating on the wounds of Our Lord and what He has done for us on the Cross. Not only will this grow and strengthen our faith as well as our love for Him, but this spiritual discipline alone is incredibly meritorious for the soul.
As you find new ways to grow in your spiritual life, have fun doing it. There’s nothing greater than acts of service for God and feeling Him draw near because of your faith and newfound zeal.
God bless you. Let’s make this an incredibly successful Lenten time of year!
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