Lent: a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. At the Acad we are well acquainted with “sad little rice bowls” and giving up our favorite treats to get fit for spring break, but what do those 3 words truly mean for our lenten journey?

 Like SSA’s pillars of prayer, work, study and community, the lenten “pillars” are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. When put together they improve our relationship with God, self and others. 

Lent can feel repetitive year after year; maybe you always give up the same things, maybe it gets too hard halfway through, maybe you are just trying to survive school until Easter break or maybe you don’t even know where to start. 

Lent and praying can be accustomed to what you personally like or dislike. It’s between you and God.

If this Lent you are looking for something new to give up or do extra, here are some achievable ideas!

Things to give up

• Social media 
  • Maybe even simply set a screen time limit 
• Music in your car 
  • Maybe only praise and worship or listen to a rosary on Hallow 
• PJs or vending machine snacks at school 
  • As simple as this one might seem it can be a challenge. Maybe you can save up all the money you would have spent on drinks/food and give it to your church or the rice bowl fundraiser
• Any drink except water 
• Cursing 

Things to add

• Go to Tuesday Mass in the Chapel 
• Spend time in the Chapel before school 
• Go to confession
• Read a book 
  • Grace Valentine is a great relatable author!
• Read the daily Gospel 
• Spend time outside 
  • You can sit and reflect or listen to something while spending time in God’s creation 
• Set a 5-10 minute timer to pray every day 
• Go to Mass on Sunday! 
  • If this is something you struggle with, this Lent really make it a habit to go every Sunday
• Say a prayer in the morning before you go on your phone

When things get hard, remember the reason you are doing all of this. Lent is not for your own self-benefit. Carry your sacrifices for Christ and look forward to the celebration at Easter!