Lent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter, and the Church recommends prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as a way to focus our preparation. These are “the three pillars of Lent.” While we (hopefully? sometimes? more or less?) practice these all year round, we intensify our devotion to these pillars during Lent as we pause and reflect on our relationship with God.
1. Prayer
Setting aside more time for family prayer during Lent draws us closer to one another and to God. Through family prayer, we begin to recognize ourselves as a family rooted in Christ’s mission, set aside for good works.
2. Fasting
During Lent, we “give things up” not to torture ourselves, but to free ourselves! By sacrificing food (including meat on Fridays for family members 14 and older) and other things we find pleasurable during Lent, we are eliminating any stumbling blocks between ourselves and God’s love.
3. Almsgiving
As a sign of gratitude for all God has given us, and as an act of love to those in need, Christians give generously to the poor and needy, especially during Lent.