10. Surround yourself with inspirational reminders of our Catholic Faith in your home.

More than just artwork, or a decoration to hang on the wall, inspirational pieces help keep your mind focused on your walk with Christ. They also serve as testimony to the amazing history handed down to us through our Catholic Faith. Crucifixes let guests who enter your house know that you are Catholic while reminding everyone of Christ's great sacrificial love for us.

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9. Pray the Rosary daily.

The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary are usually the focus of the Lenten season, however this year take some time to explore the Luminous Mysteries. From the Proclamation of the Kingdom to the Transfiguration and the Institution of the Eucharist; the Luminous Mysteries help you prepare to join Jesus during His Passion. If you aren't used to praying the full rosary, of if you want to pray with your children, start by praying just one decade at a time.

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8. Learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.

Join the rich prayer life of the Catholic Church and learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Don't worry, you don't have to complete all the prayers and you don't have to pray it perfectly for it to make a real difference in your spiritual life. If you need a little extra help to get started, try one of our guide books.

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7. Take time to read a little bit of Scripture every day.

If you decide to pray the rosary and the Liturgy of the Hours, you will have already added the Gospels and the Psalms to your daily devotions. Round out your meditation on Scripture by reading a chapter or two a day from some of the other Old Testament books. You don't have to start with Genesis. Read in the book of Daniel about the dreams he interpreted for the king, or read about the visions of the prophet with the funny name: Habakkuk.

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6. Attend the Stations of the Cross on Fridays.

Since most of us won't physically go to Jerusalem this Lent, we bring a part of Jerusalem to us. The 14 Stations of the Cross that hang around our churches recreate the "Via Dolorosa," the "Sorrowful Way" that Christ walked during His Passion. As you take the spiritual journey with Jesus up to Calvary you are joining with millions of other Christians who have also prayed the Way of the Cross over many centuries.

Stations of the Cross - Stations of Light
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5. Learn more about Catholic Church history.

One of the most exciting parts of being Catholic is that we belong to a huge spiritual family. From Adam and Eve to the present day, we are a part of God's great plan of Salvation. The Church has had her ups and downs, but there is still plenty of history to learn, Saints to admire, and good work to be done.

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4. Fast for a reason.

This year, Pope Benedict's message for Lent focuses on the topic of Fasting. He says, "Since all of us are weighed down by sin and its consequences, fasting is proposed to us as an instrument to restore friendship with God." The Holy Father then gives many examples of fasting from the Scriptures: Moses, Elijah, Ezra, the people of Nineveh, and Jesus himself. The point the Pope is making is that fasting is not just about suffering because you are hungry. Fasting should be used to form better self-discipline, to offer our discomfort to God for a cause (such as an end to abortion or for peace in the world), or as a way to become less self-centered. Pope Benedict quotes St. Peter Chrysologus who writes: “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself”.

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3. Go to Confession or attend your parish's Penance/Reconciliation Service.

Just as fasting "restore[s] our relationship with God" as we read in the tip above, so does the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as 'Confession'). This relationship is damaged when we sin, but going to Confession heals our spiritual wounds and restores God's Graces in our lives. As Catholics we are asked to confess our sins at least once a year. It doesn't have to be during Lent, but if it has been a while since you received Reconciliation consider going now. Think of it like a Spring Cleaning for your soul!

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2. Spend time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

True quiet time is such a luxury in today's hectic and noisy world. Treat yourself to a mini-spiritual vacation to heaven and spend some time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Some Catholics pray the rosary during their visit. Others use prayer books like the one shown here. But it is ok to just go and be with Jesus. Scripture tells us: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

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1. Make a conscious effort to get more out of
the Holy Mass.

It is easy to take the Liturgy for granted if it becomes just another routine. However, in many parts of the world Catholics put their lives in danger to attend Mass or there are no regular Masses being celebrated at all. If you've ever felt like going to Church was like watching a rerun on TV, Lent is a great time to gain a new appreciation for the Mass. Read a book that explains all the things we do in Mass, or get a Daily Missal and follow along with the prayers. More than likely you will discover something you never knew before and you will become a true participant in the celebration.

The Mass Explained
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