How Can You Make the Most of the Lenten Season? We should use this time to seek God more than ever before. We should seek, find and dwell in the secret place. When we dwell in the secret place our Father who sees this will repay you. Ask yourself, where is your heart? Are you living in the present this Lenten Season?
The Season of Lent is not to be taken lightly. As Catholics we believe that with heartfelt Prayer, Abstinance/Fasting and Almsgiving we can make the most sacrifice during the Lenten season.
How do you find the secret place, and once you find it, how do you dwell there?
Lent is celebrated in rememberance of the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent in the desert. Begin with an open heart and a desire to get closer to God. Ask yourself, what can I do to keep God's presence in everything that I do? Decide how you will spend the rest of Lent focused. At St. Benedict's, we are here for you and welcome you to journey with us as we move through Lent.
Not Sure of How or What to Pray During Lent? - Pray the Holy Rosary Daily-(If you can, pray the 20 decade Rosary)(see links below) - Pray the Rosary as a Family Daily (see links below) - Visit the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration Chapel every day (15 minutes) - Go to daily Mass(6:45am&8:30 Mon-Sat / Sat-4pm / Sun-7am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 7pm) - Pray the Angelus at 12 every day (see link below) - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day at 3pm(see link below) - Seek spiritual guidance from a priest
ABSTINENCE/FASTING This one may be a bigger challenge than we want to admit. In fasting, we abstain from food and say “no” to our bodies. Instead, of feeding them what they want, we take dominion over them and let our spirits rise up. How can those, who can fast, do so to make the most of this Lenten season? - Fast daily until Noon throughout Lent - Fast from unhealthy food items during Lent - Fast from using profanity/clothing/vices/tv/electronics etc that may be keeping you from a closer connection with God
**All Catholics Must Abstain From Eating Meat on Ash Wednesday and Every Friday during Lent**
ALMSGIVING We usually think of giving to the poor, money/food/shelter. However, almsgiving is so much more than that. Some forms of almsgiving could be reaching out to someone just to let them know you are thinking of them, acknowledging that you see how much they are putting into thier life/community/children/home/church etc.
Here are some ideas for Almsgiving. - Bring a meal to a neighbor - Offer to shop/pick up something for, someone who may be limited due to health, financial struggles or just inclement - Send a positive note/letter/text to someone who is a challenge to like - Donate your time at a local shelter - Donate your time/money to a good cause especially if you don't do this regularly - Let someone go in front of you in line - Try the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge (see link below) Pray and ask God to let you know what you can/should do and when He tells you, don't argue with yourself or read too much into it, just DO it! Let HIM guide you!