Lent, Lent, Lent.....what should we do???

Well, the discussion has begun at our house.  What are you giving up for Lent?  Chocolate?  TV?  (the ever popular) showers?  LOL

We've been working (especially with the older folks in our home) over the past couple of years to not only give something up, but to also DO SOMETHING MORE in some aspect of your faith life.  Praying a rosary, reading the bible, going to the stations of the cross, being ready for church 5 minutes earlier....anything for the glory of God.  I even had the audacity to challenge one of my children, who is addicted to texting, to *gasp* give up texting (or even all social media) and spend that time in prayer each day.  I haven't been successful with that just yet.

I found this really neat little guide online, in case you or your family is looking for a resource for lent.  It gives some ideas on Lenten promises, but is also a nice little guide about some Lenten traditions, the Way of the Cross, etc. 

You can find it here:  http://www.osv.com/YourGuideToACatholicLent/tabid/8267/Default.aspx

Here are ways to boost your spiritual life during Lent:
Begin each morning with the prayer: "Lord, I offer you this day, and all that I think, and do, and say."
Attend Daily Mass as often as possible.
Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
Make the Stations of the Cross at home or in a parish celebration.
Read Scripture for 10 minutes every day.
Pray the Seven Penitential Psalms (Psalm 6, 31, 50, 101, 129 and 142).
Spend some time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Abstain from meat for an extra day or two each week.
Listen to spiritual music or a spiritual speaker.
Keep a Lenten journal with your spiritual insights, special intentions, people you want to pray for, hurts and disappointments that you want to offer up, and progress reports on your Lenten resolutions.

"May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God's love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must 're-give' to our neighbor, especially to the one who suffers most and is in need." - Pope Benedict XVI

I'm still working on mine.  We've tried to do a family rosary for the past couple of years, but our family is getting so busy, it's hard to find time when everyone is awake and alert to do it.  If you have any great ideas, feel free to write them for all to share.  Don't feel that it has to be earth-shattering, but if you think of all that Christ did for us during those 40 days, and especially the Triduum, it should be easy to do a little something for Him.  Hopefully, at the end, you will feel a little closer to Him, and feel like you paid Him homage. 

Good luck!  Hope you stocked up on fish this week at the store!!  :)