Lent with Beloved
Lent is a 40-day preparation for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 40 days omits Sundays (because Sundays are always a celebration). In Ireland, there is unwritten rule that we also omit St Patrick’s Day from the Lenten sacrifice but that is up to each person!
So for these next 40 days we would love to help you make the most out of this time. It’s hard given lockdown but it could also be extra special if we look at it another way. Much like Our Lord going out to the desert for 40 days, Lent in lockdown could be the closest thing to that experience.
Every person is at a different stage in their spiritual journey and given the era of information we are in, there can be a lot of information, resources, tips and tricks on how to live Lent and sometimes, it can be overwhelming. Where do you even begin? So for this reason, we want to keep it really simple, and depending on where you are in your journey, you can pick less or more. It’s good to remember that “less is more”, taking small morsels along the way is better than trying to digest too much. You could call it the Goldilocks effect: not too much, not too little, just right.
Goldlilocks
We have come up with three options which we think will suit different people. If you prefer to focus more on being constant in your resolutions, the minimalist option is the best. If you think the minimalist option is something you probably would already do and want a little bit more for your spiritual life, then the half-way mark is great. And, if you’re thinking I’m in lockdown and it’s now or never, I want all levels of possibility and input, then the maximalist option will be perfect.
Do remember though that whatever you choose, the Holy Spirit is always there to bring you that extra step and guide you in the best possible way. He is your co-pilot on the best Formula One ride of your life! There is always two of you in it :)
minimalist
DAILY Practice
Heroic Minute - get up from the bed the minute the alarm sounds.
Give particular focus on working better: finishing things off well, spending less time on social media or multi-tasking, concentrate on the task at hand, add order to your work-place, etc.
Recite the Angelus each day at 12 midday - asking for Our Lady’s help and guidance.
Do 10 minutes of Spiritual Reading each day.
Recite three Hail Marys at night before you go to bed.
Weekly Practice
Attend Mass (in real time if you can, but if not online) on Sundays and try to be truly present at the Mass being close to Our Lord.
Aim to go to Confession at least once during Lent.
Spiritual reading
In Silence with God, Benedict Baur
Praying from the Depths of the Psalms, Fr. John Henry Hanson
Half-way Mark
DAILY Practice
Give Our Lord 10 minutes of your time each day to personal and silent prayer. Ideally try to visit a Church and be before the Blessed Sacrament. You could use something like iPraywiththeGospel or Magnificat (see “Resources for Everyone” below)
Do a short Examination of Conscience at night giving particular focus on being Christ for others: for your family and friend. How can you intercede for them more?
Heroic Minute - get up from the bed the minute the alarm sounds. Once up and out of the bed, recite the Morning Offering for the day ahead.
Focus on one or two ways you can improve in your work - reduce distraction, focus on the task at hand, offer to Our Lord the discomfort sometimes of focusing on one piece of work when you would rather change task.
Do 15 minutes of Spiritual Reading each day.
Recite three Hail Marys at night before you go to bed.
Weekly Practice
Attend Mass (in real time if you can, but if not online) on Sundays and another day during the week, and try to be truly present at the Mass being close to Our Lord.
Aim to go to Confession at least once during Lent.
Spiritual reading
The Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Alban Goodier
Home Again: A Prayerful Rediscovery of Your Faith, Fr John Henry Hanson
Maximalist
DAILY Practice
Give Our Lord 30 minutes of your time each day to personal and silent prayer. This can be divided into 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. Ideally try to visit a Church and be before the Blessed Sacrament. You could use something like iPraywiththeGospel or Magnificat (see “Resources for Everyone” below)
Do a short Examination of Conscience at night giving particular focus on being Christ for others: for your family and friend. How can you intercede for them more?
Heroic Minute - get up from the bed the minute the alarm sounds. Once up and out of the bed, recite the Morning Offering for the day ahead.
Focus on one or two ways you can improve in your work - reduce distraction, focus on the task at hand, offer to Our Lord the discomfort sometimes of focusing on one piece of work when you would rather change task.
Do 15 minutes of Spiritual Reading each day.
Recite three Hail Marys at night before you go to bed.
Weekly Practice
Attend Mass (in real time if you can, but if not online) on Sundays and another two days during the week, and try to be truly present at the Mass being close to Our Lord.
Aim to go to Confession twice during Lent.
Spiritual reading
The Lord by Romano Guardini
Life of Christ, Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Friendship of Christ, Robert Hugh Benson
If you would like to be accompanied along the way, a weekly email can be sent to your inbox on Tuesdays with insightful videos, podcasts, and articles.