How To Experience A More Meaningful Lent

Experience a more meaningful Lent this year! Make it truly transformative–get out of the humdrum routine of past Lents. Chapter 49 of the Rule of Saint Benedict provides his approach to making Lent more meaningful and transformative for monastics:

…wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times…by refusing to indulge evil habits and by devoting ourselves to prayer with tears, to reading, to compunction of heart and self-denial…let each one deny himself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking…and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing… (RB 49:3-4, 7)

In commenting on this chapter, Father Meinrad Miller, OSB notes, among other things, that this is the only place in the entire Rule where the saint mentions “joy.” This joy, Father explains, comes from abandoning attachments to sin in anticipation of new life in the Risen Christ. Chapter 49 of the Rule can help create a more meaningful Lent for those living outside the cloister as much as it does for those inside. It can help you draw closer to Christ.

A More Meaningful Lent: Eliminating Bad Habits

St. Benedict tells us to refuse “…to indulge in evil habits…” Doing so will help us draw closer to Christ. What sinful habit do you find yourself routinely acting out? One might ask how a person would identify and select a particular bad habit. Actually, that’s probably pretty easy to discern. The easiest way to identify your top two or three sinful habits is by taking a look at your daily examen. If you’re not performing a daily examen, it’s something you might want to consider. I don’t know anyone using it who has not benefitted immensely.

Besides providing a balanced perspective between blessings and failings of the day, it helps identify those patterns of sin that need addressing. An examen also helps you prepare for a more meaningful Confession. While various means exist to address bad habits, one I’ve covered previously begins with taking thoughts captive (cf. 2 Cor 10:5). And perhaps some of the bad habits you discern manifest in the way you deal with life’s daily “little crosses.” These are the moments that call for the exercise of self-denial in the form of patience, charity, humility and other virtues.

A More Meaningful Lent: Self-Denial

Self-denial includes acceptance of God’s will in the daily passive mortifications He gives us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “…There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes…” (CCC 2015) Beyond resisting sinful reactions to what others say or do, you can build up your spiritual discipline by denying yourself good things, thereby strengthening you to avoid temptations toward bad things.

As well, mortification in the form of self-denial—fasting and abstaining—provides a reminder of the superiority of spiritual over material things. These and other acts of penance help prepare for the Passion of Our Lord during Holy Week. They’ll help you draw closer to Christ. What is the Lord calling you to do this Lent in the way of denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Him? Maybe it is time for some prayerful discernment.

Making Lent Meaningful Through Other Forms of Penance

Although not all are specifically mentioned in Chapter 49 of the Rule, other acts of penance from the Catechism include:

…efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, concern for the salvation of one’s neighbor, the intercession of the saints, and the practice of charity “which covers a multitude of sins. (CCC 1434)

Conversion is accomplished in daily life by gestures of reconciliation, concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right by the admission of faults to one’s brethren, fraternal correction, revision of life, examination of conscience, spiritual direction, acceptance of suffering, endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness… (CCC1435)

So, this Lent, consider praying for the salvation of the souls of one’s friends, family, or neighbors if you’re not already doing so. If you’re estranged from someone, why not reach out to them in charity and reconciliation? Perhaps the Lord will even give you tears of repentance in your prayers.

You might also consider adding in some other charitable works, which St. Peter tells us cover a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) What sort of charitable works? Consider any of the works of mercy as a starting list. Spend some time in prayer, discerning where God wants to use you and the charisms He’s given you. And don’t forget about almsgiving. Which charitable organizations do you know well enough and trust with your money to support or give more to? The Lord loves a cheerful giver! (cf 2 Cor 9:7)

Making Lent a Time of Deeper Conversion

The Catechism tells us that daily conversion and penance are supported and nourished by the Eucharist. (CCC 1436) Hence, increasing your frequency of Mass attendance during Lent is always a good practice for drawing closer to the Lord if you’re not already a daily attendee. You will receive so many graces from the Eucharist. Be sure that you’re in a state of grace when you receive Communion, though.

In addition to Mass and Communion, consider as well, increasing your prayer time and Eucharistic Adoration. “…Every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us…” (CCC 1437) Are you praying with Scripture every day? Can you find time to spend even 15 minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament once or twice a week? Eucharistic Adoration will change your life–give it a try. If you already visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, consider increasing the time or frequency you spend with Him.

And what would Lent be without the Stations of the Cross? This is a great devotion any time of the year, but it’s particularly appropriate to walk with Jesus and Mary to Calvary during Lent. The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and the Seven Sorrows Rosary can add to the profundity of your Lent as well. In any of these devotions, slow down and take the time to really contemplate the station, mystery or the specific sorrow as you pray. Pause before each one, placing yourself in the scene, and let the Holy Spirit touch your heart–be there with Jesus and Mary.

Make Lent More Meaningful and Spiritually Fruitful with Direction

St. Benedict tells his monks to make known to the abbot what they intend to do for Lent,

…since it ought to be done with his prayer and approval. Whatever is undertaken without the permission of the spiritual father will be reckoned as presumption and vainglory, not deserving a reward… (RB 49:8-9)

Those of us living outside the cloister would do well to consider this counsel also. The enemy, the angel of darkness, can appear as an angel of light when you’re making plans for Lenten penance; and sometimes you can be your own worst enemy.

What might this look like? St. Benedict mentions presumption and vainglory in the Rule. What’s your real intention in setting your Lenten goal—is it for deeper conversion, or is there an element of impressing your friends and family in it? “Look at me—cold showers (or maybe no showers), raw (or no) meat, no sleep, and seven hours of prayer daily…”

Another pitfall can come from being a bit too exuberant—even unrealistic—in setting your goals for Lent. Then, at some point when failures begin, the enemy will come in, accuse and deride, with all sorts of lies. Or how about in practicing some penance,  you end up making life miserable for everyone around you?

Furthermore, discerning where to focus for spiritual growth and how to approach it need some prayerful thought and prudential judgment. For these reasons and more, it is important to have wise counsel in the form of a spiritual director or at least a regular confessor if you don’t have a director. They can help you connect the spiritual dots in the discernment process.

Make This Lent Count

Lent is a time for deeper conversion. It’s a time to grow closer to the Lord, for calling on God’s graces to help you grow in charity and in sanctity. Some prayerful discernment and perhaps some changes in the way you approach the Lenten season will dispose you to those graces. Through carefully, prayerfully discerned penitential practices, let Our Lord help you grow closer in your relationship with Him. Let Him help you prepare to walk the Via Dolorosa with Him and Our Lady during Holy Week. Allow Him to help prepare you for the joy of the Resurrection on Easter, and for that intimate, ultimate union with Him.

“A feature of the joy of the Holy Spirit is that it causes an uncontainable happiness to grow even out of affliction and sorrow…In the natural course of events afflictions do not produce joy: joy is the privilege of those who accept sufferings for Jesus Christ’s sake; it is one of the good things bestowed by the Holy Spirit” – St. John Chrysostom