VIJIL: Preparing for the Lenten season

Photo by James Ramos/Herald

Growing up, I always knew Lent was coming when my mom would stock up on tortillas and cheese for quesadillas which we ate on Fridays.

Plus, she would check in with us to see if we were giving any sweets or snacks up to be sure not to buy them and tempt us throughout the season.

Often times preparing for Lent only includes figuring out what we’re going to give up and what meals we can have on Fridays. The Fasting part. We forget, though, that there are three pillars to the Lenten season: Fasting, Praying and Almsgiving. So how can we prepare for prayer and almsgiving?

Giving money can easily be tied into the fasting part of Lent.

Sepending on what one decides to fast from, the money that would have been spent to buy said item can be saved and donated. Planning ahead, you can decide to set aside or save up a certain amount of money throughout Lent and then donate it all at Easter.

Another way to incorporate almsgiving into fasting if not giving up a purchased item would be the classic jar method, where one puts a quarter or whatever amount is decided upon into the jar whenever a mistake is made. Doing so as a family can help each other stay accountable in each person’s Lenten journey. Whichever method you go with, think about it ahead of time and plan for it now to really get the most out of this important pillar of Lent.

The second pillar, prayer, may seem easier (or harder, depending on where you’re at) to prepare for. Start with the basics, and if you’re not going to Mass every Sunday, make a plan to attend as many Sundays as possible. If you’re already there, see what you can do to manage a schedule that would allow you to go once or twice during the week.

Another option could be watching a livestream of the Mass during the week and praying over the readings. Researching podcasts and taking advantage of an incentive to follow along with something like the Bible in a year or catechism in a year would be great places for prayer during Lent as well. Taking time, like Jesus, to just retreat into quiet is always a good idea as well. Deciding to set your alarm five minutes earlier for some quiet meditation and enjoying the peace and tranquility of a morning can do wonders for your spiritual health as well as mental and physical health. It is something to be considered, especially now, so you have a plan.

Fasting, what to give up for Lent this year? Always a tough question unless you go with the simple chocolate or sweets option. Maybe this is the year you really challenge yourself, though. Really take the time right now to plan how you could sacrifice something that brings you closer to our Lord.

One year, I decided I was fasting from my shoe fashion and chose only one pair of shoes to wear for the entirety of Lent. It took a lot of planning to decide which shoes would be acceptable for all the events I would have. Work appropriate, of course, but also any other gatherings like baby showers and sports games. It really was a sacrifice that forced me to think of the Lord every morning I put those shoes on and brought to my attention the reason behind doing so.

Taking the time now to plan ahead what you will do for Lent can help deepen the meaning of the season and really allow yourself to get everything you can from it. Being able to know ahead of time and work with your family and friends to hold each other accountable as well grows a community that is centered around God and is more intimate than any other community you might have. I pray you will have a holy and fulfilling Lent. 

Alyssa Vijil is a parishioner and former youth and young adult minister at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in Spring.