Although Christmas feels like it happened only weeks ago, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18, and we are sticking to our Lenten resolutions for all 40 days.
I have been Catholic for 10 years now, and I will always compare each Lenten season to my very first Lent in 2015. I was so on fire, so enthralled with every aspect of the Church, and so eager to soak up every bit of Her truth and traditions.
Every Lent since, I have thought, “Okay, I just want this Lent to be as good as that first one, because that intimacy that I felt with Jesus was truly unreal.”
But we all know that comparing ourselves to our past selves never leads to greatness, as comparison is the thief of joy. So instead of looking back this year, I want to look forward and prepare as well as I can to enter into the desert with my Beloved.
If you are in a place where you also want to truly stay consistent and pursue holiness with everything you have this Lent, here are four ways I intend to go about this transformative liturgical season.
1) Don’t choose something random to fast from.
Instead of the classics like social media, alcohol, or sweets, really pray about what the Lord is inviting you to fast from this Lent.
Think through these questions:
- “What struggles have I faced consistently as of late?”
- “What vices can I not seem to let go of?”
- “What could I fast from that would directly help me grow in virtue in these areas of struggle?”
Maybe when you think through these questions, alcohol remains the thing that you should fast from. But have an open mind and see what your Savior is encouraging you to do this year.
2) Accountability is key.
Now, when I say accountability, especially for you girlies out there, this might seem like an encouragement to tell everyone you know what you are fasting from this Lent. This is not what I am encouraging. However, I am saying to invite a close friend, roommate, or spouse into your fasts and telling them what you are doing is an excellent idea.
This removes the isolation and the temptation to give up. When things get hard in Lent, if no one knows about your fasts, it is really easy to say, “Okay, whatever, this one isn’t working. Let’s switch to this fast or prayer instead.”
But if you have an accountability partner who sees you regularly, you naturally will have someone to help you stay on track. Saints come in twos. This is no coincidence.
3) Follow a curriculum.
I do not know about you guys, but as a single, Catholic, 30-year-old woman, I am no Biblical scholar. I find that following a devotional, joining a small group, or leaning into community, especially in the liturgical season of Lent, can be very transformative.
For example, this year, I will be doing Ascension’s “Crux” challenge, led by Irish priest Father Columba Jordan, CFR, alongside many others.
I am so excited to see how it transforms my prayer. A great group of friends of mine is doing this as well, so that accountability will be helpful for me rather than doing the devotional alone.
If a devotional is not your preferred way to dive into these 40 days, look into your parish’s events and programs to see if something local piques your interest. But having a leader is definitely a recipe for success in this season.
4) Plan consistent, in-person check-ins with Jesus.
Last year, for the prayer aspect of my Lenten resolutions, I committed to going to Mass every single day of the week. Yes, I mean all seven days.
Having that in-person time with Jesus, where I honestly shared how I was doing and received His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, helped me grow in intimacy with Him in a way I can barely put into words.
It changed how I made my decisions. It kept me consistent with Confession so that I could always receive Our Lord. I invited many of my friends to join me since it was a part of my everyday life. I cannot recommend it enough.
If daily Mass is not your preference, consider weekly Confession, daily Adoration, a daily Rosary, or even the Divine Mercy Chaplet each day. I promise you will not regret it.
I pray these recommendations help you truly set and stick to your Lent resolutions like you never have before.
Be sure to follow along with me on my Lenten journey at @becoming.courtney on Instagram, as I share weekly updates on my journey with “Crux,” as well as where my heart is moving throughout all 40 days in the desert.