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Feb 20, 2017
Faith

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (without giving up sweets)

“The Lord delights in every little step you take.”
Saint Francis de Sales

Lent

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more info!

There have been years where Lent has come and gone, and I had not made any extra effort to grow closer to God or make small sacrifices to strengthen my soul.

I think I felt intimidated.  I didn’t want to fail, so therefore, I did nothing.

Maybe I felt like I honestly try to be the best Christian I can be every day of the year.  As I write this I see the pride and arrogance in that way of thinking.  We can always grow closer to Christ.  He thirsts for us.  True happiness and joy can be found in Him.  Lent is a way to grow closer to Love Himself.

I’ve created this “checklist” to make sure I embrace Lent this year and I wanted to share it with you.  This list consists of many suggestions.  There is a high probability that I will not do all of them – however, I plan to do many.  In a way, I’m making up for some past “lazy Lents”.

Some suggestions are easy, others are more challenging.  All take some effort and time.  For each step we take to grow closer to Christ, the Lord delights!

Here are 39 actions you can choose to do this Lent that will help you step closer to Him ♥

Some of these can be done once.  Some may you want to do more than once.  You decide.

Lentchart1.jpg

    1. Make it a point to get Ashes on Ash Wednesday.  Honor that day by only eating one meal.  Truly fast on that day and offer moments of hunger to the Lord and for the souls in purgatory. Take a moment at some point on this day to acknowledge that this is a season that should be a time of more prayer and sacrifice.
    2. Fill a trash bag with clothes you don’t need or wear.  Donate them to a charity.
    3. Pray a decade of the Rosary in the car before you turn on the radio.
    4. End screen time a 9:00 pm.  Read a faith inspired book.
    5. Pray before every meal one day.
    6. Try Sara’s 5-minute Sacrifice idea.
    7. Read a faith based book to a child.
    8. Attend a Parish/local church event.  Most parishes do something during Lent.  Check your bulletin and see what is being offered.  Go.
    9. Drink only water for one day.
    10. Say a prayer before you look at your phone in the morning.
    11. Visit someone who is lonely.  Bring donuts.  Stay for at least 30 minutes.
    12. Send someone who is sick a card.  Write a prayer in that card too.
    13. Ask someone to pray the Rosary with you.
    14. Go to Mass one day during the week.
    15. Go to Confession.
    16. Spiritually Adopt an unborn child (free printable here: God Hears Us: A Spiritual Adoption Miracle {Free Printable})
    17. Give one hour of one day to the 40 Days for Life Campaign
    18. Get to Sunday Mass five or ten minutes before it begins.  Kneel, pray and be silent.
    19. Sign up for the Do-it-Yourself Retreat put together by John Paul and Annie at PrayMoreNovenas.com Make some time to “retreat”.
    20. Watch a Father Mike Schmitz Video at Ascension Presents.  They are usually only 5 minutes long and very informative!
    21. Start a Letters of Love book in your family (see more details at Not so Formulaic on Facebook and Ginny’s website: Not So Formulaic)
    22. Visit Jesus at Eucharistic Adoration – even if it’s just for 10 minutes.
    23. Start a prayer journal!  Check out these prayer journal prompts for ideas: Journal Prompts for Lent

 

24. Don’t eat meat on Fridays!  If you crave it, offer that desire to the Lord.  Make an effort to be aware on Fridays of what you eat, order, pack, etc.

25. Set your phone for 3:00 pm.  Pray this prayer:

3 O’Clock Prayer to the Divine Mercy
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls
and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world.
O Fountain of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy,
envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

O Blood and Water,
which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fountain of mercy for us,
I trust in You.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy on us and on the whole world. (3 times)

JESUS, King of mercy, I trust in You! Amen.

26. Leave your phone at home.

27. Only listen to Christian music radio today.

28. Married?  Do the Love Dare!

29. Purchase a Be Yourself Journal for your daughter and one for yourself!  The journal is a fun way to reconnect with the Lord and remember you are His beloved daughter!

30. Take one day to pray and offer sacrifices for someone you DON’T like, understand or have a lot of respect for.  Truly pray for his or her soul.

31. Check out these ideas for kids and teens – some are also great ideas for adults (like sleep on the floor instead of your bed one night)! See more here: 

32. Lent ideasUse a Mason jar a piggy bank and make it a “Lent bank”.  Each day, put something in it – even if it’s just a nickel.  Each time you put the coin or money in the bank pray, “Lord, lead me to the person or group that needs this donation.”  When Lent is over, donate that money to where you were lead.

33. Go for a run or do a workout without music.  When it gets painful and you are tempted to stop – think of Jesus’ Passion and keep going for at least one more minute.

34. Carry a small Lenten pamphlet with you, like Sacred Space by the Irish Jesuits.  When you have some down time, read it instead of looking at your phone.

35. Sit down with the Bible, pray “Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart and enkindle in me the fire of your love”.  Then read some Scripture slowly.

36. If you do not already, consider wearing a Crucifix or Miraculous Medal (read why I wear I Miraculous Medal here: Five Reasons Why I Wear a Miraculous Medal – and Maybe You Should Too)

37. Go for a walk.  Talk to Jesus the whole time.

38.Pray a Novena. My favorites are to Saint Therese’ and St. Joseph.  There is also one to Our Lady Undoer of Knots that is a favorite of Pope Francis.

39. Visit a shrine.  Light a candle, give a donation, kneel and pray.

Want a printable chart to keep you on task?  Here is one for you!

Print it out, put it in your planner, hang in on a mirror or on the fridge!  Use it as a way to remind you to do something every day that will help you grow closer to the Lord!

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy Chart

Screen Shot 2017-02-20 at 8.46.29 AM.png

Want more about Lent?

Lenten Resources for the Whole Family

The Ultimate Lent Guide for Busy People


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Previous Post: « Pairing Wine with Chocolate! [Free Printable]
Next Post: 40 Prayer Journal Prompts for Lent (Part 1) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie @ Yellow Pelican says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:56 am

    Such a great list, Amy! Thank you for writing this.

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      So glad you like it! I enjoyed writing it!

  2. bonnieM says

    February 20, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Excellent list, thank you!! Another thing occurred to me regarding #2. Most people routinely clean out closets and give away their used and unwanted clothing. What about picking out a favorite item to donate OR giving up a favorite expenditure, likely your daily latte, and using the money to buy a new piece of clothing to donate. 🙂 I’ll bet we could easily make this list 50 things. Love it!

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks Bonnie! Great idea!

  3. Ginny says

    February 20, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    I love this, Amy! Great list.

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 4:45 pm

      Thanks Ginny! I am glad you shared your idea last week so I could include it!

  4. Sara @ To Jesus Sincerely says

    February 20, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    “Maybe I felt like I honestly try to be the best Christian I can be every day of the year. As I write this I see the pride and arrogance in that way of thinking. We can always grow closer to Christ. He thirsts for us. True happiness and joy can be found in Him. Lent is a way to grow closer to Love Himself.” Did you read my mind?! I love this point. And you have SO many good ideas on this list that I need for Lent and every day!

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:43 pm

      We definitely think alike!!

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 8:44 pm

      And thank you! As you know, many ideas are not mine!

  5. Anni says

    February 20, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    This is such a great list! The printable is also super easy to put up and keep in mind in a central spot in the home – I’m sure it will provide many moments of thought throughout Lent.

    Great ideas, and so nice to have a convenient list of ideas for around-the-dinner-table conversations!

    • Amy says

      February 20, 2017 at 9:20 pm

      Totally thanking the Holy Spirit right now for the inspiration! I am going to have a much more fruitful Lent this year hopefully! Thanks for the idea for an around the dinner table conversation!!!

  6. Kaity says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:08 am

    Something my mom did for us when we were little is to write Lenten actions on eggs she made using a cookie cutter and construction paper. The tasked ranged from no TV or sweets that day to praying for the special intentions of on of your family members to doing a kind deed for someone without them knowing. Each morning we would pick out our egg for the day and placed it in a little basket. This, to me, is the adult version of that and could be fun to do the same thing where you write them on paper or Popsicle sticks and randomly pick one each day!

    • Amy says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:09 am

      What a great idea Kaity! Love it! Thank you for sharing!!!

  7. Connie Long says

    February 21, 2017 at 4:57 am

    what is the five minute Lenten practice you refer to on the chart?

    • Amy says

      February 21, 2017 at 6:12 am

      Hi Connie! If you click on the word Sacrifice in that one it will take you to an article explaining it! I hope that helps! It can be found at toJesusSincerely.com

  8. Jean Schoonover-Egolf says

    February 21, 2017 at 10:14 am

    Perfect. Sharing this on “Molly’s” page 😉 Thanks, Amy!

    • Amy says

      February 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

      Thank you Jean!!

  9. Alicia says

    February 21, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Thanks for sharing! I like the mix of new ideas and old standbys. 🙂

    • Amy says

      February 21, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      Thanks! I feel like some days should be easier than others!

  10. Michelle says

    February 22, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    I love this! The entire list is wonderful but I really think #32 is an eye opener. I would never have thought to do that. Definitely Holy Spirit inspired! Thank you!

    • Amy says

      February 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

      Thank you Michelle!

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New post up on the blog!!! A few weeks ago I had New post up on the blog!!!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing @askacatholictherapist Dr. Matthew Breuninger 

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Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough? O Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough?

Often I need this reminder - God doesn't want us to feel stressed.
He wants us to rely on Him - trust Him.

He wants us to love.
Be patient and kind.

Many saints have discovered this and have advised us in their own words.

Saint Katharine Drexel said, "peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done."

Saint Teresa of Calcutta stated, "never worry about numbers, help one person at a time and start with the person nearest to you."

Saint Therese', the Little Flower, demonstrated again and again how much Jesus delights in her little way.

You don't need to be stressed.
Your little acts of love and trust for Jesus delight Him.

Have a better day 😉
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Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
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A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

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I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

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Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

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Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
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I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
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present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

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Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

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Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
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Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
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Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
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Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
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