How to have a meaningful Lent

By Eileen Connelly, OSU 

Lent offers us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Easter and deepen our relationship with God through prayer, self-examination and repentance. Many people observe Lent by giving something up – social media, a favorite snack or beverage, eating out – to emulate Christ’s obedience to the Father. While this is a meaningful practice, the friars have additional suggestions to help make the Lenten season a time of spiritual and personal growth.  

Share your gifts with others 

Br. Joe Hund, OFM, who ministers in Ft. Defiance, Arizona, near the New Mexico border, recommends deepening your experience of almsgiving and stewardship by seeking opportunities that provide interaction with others, thereby interacting with God.

“We can always write a check and send it, but in our society and Church today, we need to use our gifts to be pilgrims of hope, to touch people’s lives,” Br. Joe said. “Our focus should be on love. Whatever gifts we share, there will be a wonderful return that cannot be measured in a material sense. Rather, we’ll experience the joy and deepening of our faith that comes from generously sharing our gifts and recognizing that everything we have comes from God.”  

“May God inspire all of us during this Lent to be loving stewards with the gifts we have received from God by caring for our brothers and sisters and all creation,” he said.  

Try this 

Br. Joe suggests participating in the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent. “It’s a sacrament that’s so often neglected, but somehow reconciliation needs to be part of our Lenten practice. When we talk about encountering Jesus, I feel the need to express my shortcomings, failures and human weaknesses. I have personally found peace in reconciliation, and as a confessor, have seen it bring peace and relief to so many.  

“The fruit of reconciliation is a very beautiful encounter with the merciful, loving and forgiving Jesus,” he added. “And, of course, it’s a beautiful way to prepare for Easter and the Resurrection.”  

A friar walks through a labyrinth in the desert. (Photo courtesy of Peter Jordan)

Go into the desert  

Br. Clifford Hennings, OFM, sacramental minister at Mission Conceptión in San Antonio, Texas, readily acknowledges that “some Lents are better than others.” What’s important to remember, he said, is “at the end of the day, our experience during Lent has to do with the grace of God.”

“For myself, focusing on the image of Jesus going into the desert has been helpful,” he said, suggesting that we identify the desert places in our lives by asking, “Where am I experiencing spiritual dryness in my life? How can the Lord work within me? What is the dry dirt that I want God to turn into rich soil?” 

For Br. Clifford, the Easter Vigil has always been a highlight of the season, as people are welcomed into the Church and then sent out for mission. As the candidates and catechumens prepare for this next step on their journey of faith, Lent also provides an opportunity for all Catholics to reflect on how God is calling us to be missionary disciples. Is he asking us to take on a new ministry and share our gifts with others differently?  

“We are preparing for Easter during Lent, but maybe God is also preparing us for something else,” Br. Clifford said. “The journey doesn’t end when the 40 days do.”  

Try this  

Br. Clifford recommends focusing on a spiritual text during Lent – whether a short daily reflection or a book. He is hoping to take part in a “good, old school Bible study – not one that I’m leading, but participating in, where we try to open the Word and share as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.”  

This group dynamic means that “you’re not in this alone,” he noted. “There’s more accountability, and the opportunity to share with others can really aid in your spiritual journey.”  

Let the Spirit lead 

Just as Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit, Br. Jim Lause, OFM, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in St. Louis, Missouri, recommends that we consider “who will be leading us during Lent. Hopefully, it’s the Spirit,” he said. 

In a busy world, one of the most meaningful things we can do during Lent is “carve out time for Christ.” Spiritual resources, such as a variety of offerings from Franciscan Media, can be helpful guides, but most important, Br. Jim said, is to “‘Just do it,’ like the Nike ad says. Whatever we can do to draw closer to God, we just have to do it. It takes discipline, work and energy, but if we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, we can become closer followers of Christ.”  

Try this 

While individual prayer and reflection are essential during Lent, Br. Jim suggests also taking advantage of opportunities for experiencing community, such as fish fries, days of prayer and Stations of the Cross. “There are so many extra liturgical things in Lent that are really beautiful,” he said.  

A favorite Lenten event at St. Anthony takes place on Holy Thursday when the faith community gathers for the “Pot Bless” meal, a take on the traditional potluck dinner to which everyone brings a dish to share.  

“We experience the Last Supper, then share a meal together. It’s a real time of faith and fellowship,” Fr. Jim said.  

There are Franciscan parishes and ministries across the United States. Find one near you. 

A friar pours hot chocolate for a guest. (Photo courtesy of the Franciscan friars)

Look for opportunities to give 

Lent isn’t a time for negativity, emphasizes Br. Salvador Mejia, OFM, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Joliet, Illinois. “I see Lent as a time to rediscover the preciousness in which God has created you, a time to be polished, to become bright again.”

Rather than giving something up, Br. Sal suggests letting go of bad habits, or anything that may keep us from recognizing God’s gifts and presence in our lives. “Focus more on the preciousness of life,” he said. “If you eat too much, try to start eating healthy. If you are getting frustrated with or mad at your spouse, practice listening, patience and kindness.”  

“I see Lent as an opportunity to give more, not necessarily donating to charity, but to be more loving, compassionate and generous with our time in our families, schools, parishes and communities.”  

Try this 

Take some extra time for prayer during Lent to focus on your God-given gifts. “I usually try to focus more on what my gifts are that can help me reconnect to my true self, and from that place, I try to reconnect with God,” Br. Sal said. 

Make time for contemplation 

As he prepares for Lent, Br. Dennis Schafer, OFM, pastor at Mission San Jose in San Antonio, has been thinking about two things: the opportunity for pilgrimage in our daily lives and contemplation. 

One doesn’t need to travel far to make a pilgrimage to a holy place. Br. Dennis emphasizes that it can be as close as our own backyard, garden or a local park – anywhere we can be attentive to God’s presence.  

“St. Bonaventure said the first way of coming to know God is through creation,” he said. “We have a garden here that’s a special place for people to sit and pray.”  

Br. Dennis also suggests making time for contemplation during Lent – “not necessarily active prayer,” he said, “but sitting in silence with God.”  

He recommends creating a corner in your home that becomes a personal chapel, specifically dedicated to quiet time with God. That space might include a crucifix, image or statue of the Blessed Mother or another saint and a special candle to light while in prayer. It may be helpful to have the Gospels or other spiritual writing close by to provide inspiration or to have music playing quietly in the background.  

Try this:  

“For me, silence is very important,” said Br. Dennis, who plans on a silent retreat during Lent and is looking forward to some quiet time for spring planting in his garden.  

“Lent gives us the opportunity to do something we should probably do all the time – take the time to refocus ourselves on God and let go of the busyness in our lives in order to be more present to God and to allow God to be more present to us.”