A Personal Program It should not be enough to slide through Lent by just observing the fast and abstinence laws.

We should all undertake a Lenten program, an inward cleansing and purification, for oneself and the family. The program needs to be planned and organized. Ask the question: What shall I and my family do this year for Lent? Goals and activities should be realistic and reasonable. The principal works of Lent can be divided into the following six categories: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Fasting and Mortification Prayers Almsgiving Good Works Education Self-Denial

Our daily life doesn't stop just because Lent is here. The challenge is to observe the spirit of Lent and perform the works of Lent while living in a secular culture, to remain in the world but not become a product of it.

Fasting and Mortification We must fulfill the minimum requirements of the Church for fasting and abstinence. But there are other forms of abstaining and fasting. We must remember that when we do "give up" something, it should be completely, not saved for later. The money we save from not buying a cup of coffee should be given as a donation to charity. The time we don't watch TV should be spent doing spiritual reading, or family time. Below are some examples of other forms of fasting or abstaining:

Refrain from complaining, gossiping, grumbling or losing one's temper. Abstain from favorite drinks, desserts or foods. Eat less at meals, or eat fewer snacks between meals; Fast extra days in Lent besides Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Eat without complaining. Make simple meals, that are less appealing to the sense of taste.

Prayers Ideally, the members of the family may participate in daily Mass. If this is not possible, the readings from the Mass should be read and meditated upon daily. This could be done as a family, perhaps at the dinner meal. The Mass is the prayer of the Church, and the highest form of prayer. It also unites us with the whole Church in public prayer.

A strong emphasis should be made in receiving the sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance frequently. For an examination of conscience and for help in receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation see An Examination of Conscience and An Examination of Conscience for Laymen. Another prayer of the Church is the Divine Office, or Liturgy of the Hours. Praying the Divine Office unites our prayers with the Liturgy of the universal Church. The Stations of the Cross are special during Lent, because they meditate on the Passion of Christ. Usually the Stations are offered at the parish church on Fridays in Lent. They can also be prayed together as a family.

Almsgiving Almsgiving is tied closely with fasting. Whatever we give up, the money we save should go to the needy. It should be given away to the missions, the Church, or a worthy charity. In a family with small children it helps to make this a visual practice by, for example, having a jar or box in the center of the table as a reminder and measure of progress. It is also considered "almsgiving" to give one's time and goods to those who are in need, i.e., donating time for a soup kitchen, giving clothes to charity, visiting the shut-ins, driving those without transportation and other similar practices. The earthquake in Haiti provides us with a good opportunity to donate money saved from our self-denial to those who have lost what little they had. Good Works Good works deal with two kinds of actions: perfection of our daily duties and perfection of charity toward others. Our daily duties include our job as a spouse, as a parent, as a child, as a worker or student. We need to strive to do our best in these capacities, even if that means being more patient, more cheerful, more efficient, more charitable, less critical, less gossiping, or less backbiting. We need to make the most of the time we are given each day; we should not waste time. This is the positive area of our Lenten program. We should work on virtues, like obedience, charity, humility, chastity and perseverance. We should examine ourselves regarding our daily duty at work, at home and how we use the personal time that we have. Many of us postpone or procrastinate personal jobs, prayer and reading for some other time. But NOW is the time to make the best of our daily duty. The Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Visit the imprisoned Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Admonish the sinner Instruct the ignorant (This and the next work are extremely pertinent categories today, when so many people are confused by what the Church teaches on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, etc.) Counsel the doubtful Comfort the sorrowful Bear wrongs patiently Forgive all injuries Pray for the living and the dead

Education During Lent (and throughout the year) we need spiritual enlightenment. We can find this through spiritual reading, both individually and as a family. This is a prerequisite to a continued growth in the spiritual life. Maria Von Trapp suggests three categories in our Lenten reading program: 1. Something for the mind. We should do some research, study the papal encyclicals, read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, delve into Church history, study Catholic philosophy. 2. Something for the soul. This should be deeper spiritual reading that gives a program, guidance, and spiritual direction, and could include writings of the saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therrse of Lisieux or St. Francis de Sales. 3. Something for the heart. We need inspiration. The best way is to read biographies of Christ, Mary, saints or people who put their spiritual life into action. Bishop Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ is excellent Lenten reading. Scripture is an excellent source for all these categories. The Church strongly encourages study and meditative reading of the Bible. Self-Denial This is the area that tests our will-power. We have the opportunity to give up innocent pleasures without complaining: radio, TV, internet, personal time or leisure, secular reading.

We can choose one area in Lent and try to persevere throughout the 40 days. This is not just a test of willsthe main intention is purification, and making reparation for the offenses against the Mystical Body of Christ. So even if these actions are done in private or secret, they help us grow in our spiritual life, and benefit the whole Church. The following are some concrete suggestions:

Reduce or eliminate time surfing the Internet or playing video games. Curb forms of entertainment like TV, dining out, movies, expensive meals. Give up smoking, caffeine, beer and liquor.

Prayer Before Confession O Lord, grant me light to see myself as Thou dost see me and the grace to be truly and efficaciously contrite for my sins. O Mary, help me to make a good confession.

Preliminary Besides telling the nature of our sins, we must also recollect, as far as possible, the number of times we have committed them, telling also (and only) those circumstances which at times may either make a venial sin mortal or a mortal sin notably worse. 1. Have I ever failed to confess a serious sin or disguised it? 2. Have I been guilty of irreverence for this sacrament by failing to examine my conscience carefully? 3. Have I failed to perform the penance given me by the confessor or disobeyed any of his directions? 4. Have I neglected the Easter duty of receiving Holy Communion or failed to confess my sins within a year? 5. Have I any HABITS of serious sin to confess first (impurity, drunkenness, etc.)? First Commandment 1. Am I ignorant of my catechism (Act of Contrition, Apostle's Creed, Ten Commandments, Seven Sacraments, the Our Father)? 2. Have I willfully doubted or denied any of the teachings of the Church (heresy)? 3. Have I taken active part in any non-Catholic worship? 4. Am I a member of any anti-Catholic or any secret society? 5. Have I knowingly read any anti-Catholic literature? 6. Have I practiced any superstitions (horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)?

Second Commandment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Have I used God's name in vain by way of profanity? Have I murmured or complained against God (blasphemy)? Have I maligned priests or others consecrated to God? Have I sworn by God's name (oath) either falsely or rashly? Have I broken any private vow?

Third Commandment 1. Have I missed Mass on Sundays or holydays through my own fault? 2. Have I been late for Mass through my own negligence? 3. Have I been inattentive at Mass or otherwise failed in reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament? 4. Have I done unnecessary servile work (physical labor) or shopping on Sunday? Fourth Commandment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Have I been disrespectful to my parents or neglected them? Have I failed in obedience or reverence to others in authority? Have I mistreated my wife or children? Have I been disobedient or disrespectful to my husband? Regarding my children: o Have I neglected their material needs? o Have I failed to care for their early Baptism or their proper religious instruction? o Have I allowed them to neglect their religious duties? o Have I otherwise failed to discipline them? o Have I given bad them example? o Have I interfered with their freedom to marry or follow a religious vocation?

Fifth & Eighth Commandments 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Have I quarreled with any one? Have I cursed anyone or otherwise wished evil on him? Have I taken pleasure in anyone's misfortune? Is there anyone to whom I refuse to speak or be reconciled? Have I lied about anyone (calumny)? Have I rash judged anyone of a serious sin? Have I engaged in gossip (detraction) or spread scandal? Have I lent an ear to scandal about my neighbor?

9. Have I been jealous or envious of anyone? Sixth & Ninth 1. Have I denied my spouse his or her marriage rights? 2. Have I practiced birth control? 3. Have I abused my marriage rights in any other way? 4. Have I committed adultery or fornication? 5. Have I touched or embraced another impurely? 6. Have I sinned with others of the same sex? 7. Have I committed masturbation or otherwise sinned impurely with myself? 8. Have I harbored lustful desires for anyone? 9. Have I indulged in other impure thoughts? 10. Have I failed to dress modestly? 11. Have I done anything to provoke or occasion impure thoughts in others? 12. Have I read indecent literature or looked at indecent pictures? 13. Have I watched suggestive films or programs? 14. Have I permitted my children or others under my charge to do these things? 15. Have I used indecent language or told indecent stories? 16. Have I willingly listened to such stories? 17. Have I boasted of my sins? 18. Have I sinned against chastity in any other way? Seventh & Tenth Commandments 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Have I stolen anything? Have I damaged anyone's property through my own fault? Have I cheated or defrauded other? Have I refused or neglected to pay any debts? Have I neglected my duties or been slothful in my work? Have I refused or neglected to help anyone in urgent necessity? Have I failed to make restitution?

OTHER SINS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Have I knowingly caused others to sin? Have I cooperated in the sins of others? Have I sinned by gluttony? Have I become intoxicated? Have I used narcotics?

6. 7. 8. 9.

Have I been motivated by avarice? Have I indulged in boasting or vainglory? Have I received Holy Communion or another sacrament in the state of mortal sin? Is there any other sin I need to confess?

Prayer for a Good Confession O my God, by my grievous sins I have re-crucified Thy divine Son to myself and have deserved Thy everlasting wrath in the fires of hell. Even more, I have been most ungrateful by my sins to Thee, my Heavenly Father, Who have created me out of nothing, redeemed me by Thy Son, and sanctified me in the sacraments by Thy Holy Spirit. But Thou hast spared me to make this confession. Receive me back as Thy prodigal son and grant me to confess myself well, that I may begin anew to love Thee with my whole heart and soul, henceforth keeping Thy Commandments and suffering patiently whatever temporal punishment for my sins may remain. I hope by Thy goodness and power to obtain everlasting life in paradise. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.