| "Two weeks to go before Easter..." |
If your family does not already have a cross or other symbol of Lent, you may want to visit a religious bookstore together and select something for your home.
A Sampling of Sacrifices
One of the most comforting traditions we Catholics practice is prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This would be a good week to visit the church for a period of quiet prayer.
A helpful sacrifice is to turn off all television, radio, and CD/tape players for the entire day.
You might also sort your family’s used clothes, toys and books and donate to the needy what you no longer need.
Try to attend the Stations of the Cross. If you are unable to attend, pray the stations at home.
Relate the story of the caterpillar - it’s need to die in order that it can be reborn as a beautiful butterfly. Discuss the changes we must make in order to be reborn - beautiful and free as the butterfly.
Use a branch of thorns as a centerpiece this week to remind us of Christ’s struggle. Take rose stems or some other thorny vine; cut off the leaves an dampen the branches until they bend into a crown shape. Or use a piece of wood cut in a ring and pound nails through the wood at different angles to look like thorns. Or shape some barbed wire into a crown.
Bake bread together as a family. Notice how the yeast (Christ) gives life to the lifeless flower (us) so that we can grow to be the beautiful children our Father sees us to be.
Beginning Lent
First Week of Lent
Second Week of Lent
Third Week of Lent
Fourth Week of Lent
Sixth Week of Lent - Holy Week
Stations of the Cross
Family Seder Meal
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