40 Lenten Sacrifices

A week from today, Catholics around the globe will be sporting ashes on their foreheads, which commences the beginning of Lent. 40 days of sacrifice, prayer and spiritual growth.

The big question is: what are you giving up or doing for Lent?
For some help, I’ve recruited my sisters to help come up with a list of 40 Lenten Sacrifices, that go beyond giving up chocolate… although that is a legitimate sacrifice for chocoholics. 

   

   

So without further ado, here you go.


25 Corporal Sacrifices 

1. Don’t scratch at itchy spots
2. Give up some vanity (shaving, makeup, eyebrow tweezing, etc)
3. Sleep with no pillow
4. Sleep on the floor
5. Don’t snack
6. Don’t buy what isn’t necessary 
7. No video games
8. Do 20 jumping jacks every morning, after you wake up
9. Avoid secular/mainstream music
10. Don’t eat out
11. Check social media only once a day, or not at all
12. Wear your least favorite color
13. Don’t speak unless unnecessary
14. Be externally (and internally) charitable to someone who makes you a saint (aka is extremely annoying)
15. Practice mortifying your senses (i.e not eating that extra slice of pizza, not watching the next episode of your favorite series, eat your least favorite food etc.)
16. When arriving at someones house, actually go to the door instead of texting or calling so say that you’re outside
17. Fast from a common food, like cheese, potatoes or bread, for example
18. Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator 
19. Say goodbye to regular TV, and hello to EWTN 
20. Give up internet time for prayer time
21. Wear the same (or two) pair of shoes for all 40 days
22. Do your homework the day you receive it, no slacking
23. Don’t hit that snooze button
24. Don’t use extra salt or pepper on your food, including french fries
25. Do one act of charity daily, and also consider joining THE PACT to keep it going, even when Lent is over.

15 Spiritual Sacrifices

1. Start a spiritual journal and write one entry daily, or write daily if you already keep one
2. Pray three rosaries daily
3. Learn holy humility by praying instead of complaining, eye rolling, etc.
4. Continuously read (and finish) spiritual books until Lent is finished. For starters, Preparation for Death by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, or anything by St. Francis de Sales.
5. Meditate daily on the Passion 
6. Kiss a Crucifix daily, 5 times, in honor of Our Lord’s Five Wounds
7. Read The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord, by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich 
8. Go to adoration as often as you can, even daily
9. Go to daily mass
10. Go to confession weekly
11. Pray the Stations of the Cross every day
12. Instead of listening to secular music, listen to Gregorian chant
13. Meditate daily on the sorrows of Our Lady, which led up to the Passion. For help, click here
14. Learn about a new saint every day.
15. Say a Hail Mary for every person you encounter

Don’t be a Lenten brat

As a last note, if you’re already dreading Lent or complaining about it, you’re doing it wrong. This liturgical season is a time for deep prayer and truly looking at the Passion of Christ, the ultimate act of love for you and I, in its entirety. With that being said, let us continue to prepare for Lent with an open heart and prayerful disposition, by preparing to join our sacrifices with Christ. Pax.