Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Each of us should make a commitment during Lent to take time each day for prayer and contemplation. Through prayer, we keep "our eyes fixed on Jesus," we get to know him, and we become aware of his presence (Hebrews 12).  

How to Start

Start small. Add 5-10 minutes of daily prayer to your routine. Here are some easy ideas to get you started. Try to attend daily Mass once or twice a week. Be faithful to daily prayer during Lent and watch it grow into a beautiful, restorative habit. We've got prayer and meditation resources to fit any time budget and every personality. 

Liturgy of the Hours: Official Prayer of the Church

Many people find refuge and renewal praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the official prayer of the Church that unites us to the prayer of Catholics throughout the world. You might explore the iBreviary App, or find the Lectio Divina (the slow, meditative reading of Scripture) works for you.  

Passtiontide: Lenten cue for silent prayer during Mass

On the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the Statues in the Church are covered, and other sacred images removed until the Easter Vigil as a sign of the intensity of preparation for the coming celebrations of the Passion. This visual cue fosters prayerful contemplation during the silent parts of Mass. 
 

Central to the Church’s Lenten tradition is the ancient practice of fasting. This small sacrifice reminds us of Christ's fasting in the desert and his ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, and it helps to lift the yoke of the world's strife from our shoulders (Isaiah 58). It also opens us to prayer, as we ask for the grace to fulfill our fasting obligation. 

How to Fast

There are only two obligatory fast days in the Church’s calendar: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics age 18-59 are required to fast. One should eat only one full meal on these days and may supplement with one or two smaller meals (together not equaling the size of the first). 

There are lots of other ways to incorporate fasting into your Lenten Journey, and we've got more ideas of how you can fast during each week of Lent as well as helpful resources for the entire family. 

Abstinence from Meat

Abstinence is required of all Catholics 14 and older, is obligatory on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. No meat is to be consumed on these days. Some individuals, following more ancient custom, abstain from meat throughout the season of Lent. Within the tradition, when fasts were more severe, Sunday was a day on which the sacrifices made during Lent could be relaxed.
 

The third discipline of Lenten preparation and renewal is almsgiving: the gift of support, monetary and otherwise, to those in need (Luke 16.) The Lord commands us to love one another as he loves us, and with that comes the responsibility to help those in need. 

How to Give

All are encouraged to individually to make a gift to those in need, those to whom we are obligated to help by our share in the salvific bounty of the Eucharist. This gift may be monetary, but there are many other ways to offer alms. Here's a helpful guide with ideas for each week of Lent to get you started. You can find more information about alms and helping your children learn to give on our Lent Resource page. 

Parish Almsgiving

As a parish we will give alms together through a second collection each Sunday of Lent. These collections will assist local charities and groups who are committed to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.  

1st Sunday of Lent: Christ Child Society
2nd Sunday of Lent: St. Vincent de Paul
3rd Sunday of Lent: Women’s Care Center
4th Sunday of Lent: Michiana Down Syndrome
5th Sunday of Lent: School Tuition Assistance
6th Sunday of Lent: Hannah’s House