All about LENT
  

It's Lent!

For forty days, we prepare to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We prepare by changing the things in our lives that need to be changed, by sharing with others, by praying more often. The Church tells us that Lent is a time for PRAYER, FASTING, and ALMSGIVING. What does that mean?

PRAYER
If you don't pray regularly now, Lent is the right time to get in the habit. Pray when you wake up. Pray when you go to sleep. You can even pray in the middle of the day. You might say a silent prayer to yourself before you eat lunch, for example, or before starting on your homework. Prayer doesn't have to be complicated or long. St. Thérèse said that prayer was as simple as taking a breath, as glancing toward heaven. St. John Vianney said, "When you pray, you should go straight to God, like a cannonball from a cannon."

You can make up the words yourself, of course, but here are some short prayers which you can easily learn by heart. They only take a second or two to pray and they can make a big difference in your day.

When something goes right, pray a prayer of love and praise.
To you be praise, to you be glory, to you be thanksgiving through endless ages, O blessed Trinity!
To God alone be honor and glory for ever and ever!
My God and my all!
My God, I love you.
Jesus, for love of you, with you, and for you.
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.

When you aren't sure what to do....
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love.
O Christ Jesus, be my helper and my redeemer.
O God, make haste to my rescue, Lord, come to my aid.
O Jesus, with all my heart I cling to you.
Teach me, O Lord, to do your will.
O Mary, make me live in God, with God, and for God.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like yours.

When you are sorry...
My Jesus, mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

FASTING
Fasting means eating more simply. Traditionally, Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, eating very simply on those days. They also abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. There are other ways to 'fast,' too. Giving up a favorite dessert or candy can help you to understand what it's like for so many children in the world who get very little to eat. You can fast from bad habits, too. This Lent, why not 'fast' from complaining about your chores? See what happens when you do your chores without being reminded! You could try 'fasting' from saying mean things about other kids at school. You could 'fast' from putting things off till tomorrow. You could 'fast' from worrying or watching TV or.... You fill in the blank!

ALMSGIVING
Almsgiving means sharing with the poor and needy. Even if you don't have much money, you can set aside part of your allowance for your "Rice Bowl." Even a few pennies can make a difference in the life of someone who has very little. But there are other kinds of giving you can do. You can say something nice to someone. You can tell your parents you love them. You can do something nice for a little brother or big sister. You can offer to help with setting the table for dinner or with taking out the trash and recycle or letting the cat out. There are lots of "alms" you can give that don't cost a thing but that will make a big difference to the people around you!