Last Minute Ideas for Lenten Sacrifices

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, is only two days away! Lent is marked by the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and many Catholics select a personal sacrifice that they will make during the 40 days of Lent. If you haven’t yet decided what to give up (or take on) for Lent, your Relevant Radio® family is here to help!

Over the last few days on Morning Air®listeners have called in to share what they are giving up this year, or what Lenten sacrifices have been fruitful in years past. Below are just a few of their suggestions:

“To be thankful once an hour during every waking hour, to thank God for something that comes to mind. It might be as simple as the meal in front of me, or a person I interact with. But thanking Him for something or someone. I think that regular prayer throughout the day can really build some benefits, and also develop a better heart of gratitude as well.” – Glen Lewerenz, co-host of Morning Air

“I used to travel all the time and I found that carrying some stationary, a stamp, and when I was alone in hotel rooms writing a note to someone I love and telling them what I loved about them, why I see God in then, or how they have enriched me. I found it to be fruitful because I got things off my heart that I always want to tell people, and they were always happy to hear it.” – Anne from College Station, TX

“I had a very fruitful Lent a few years ago, when a family member had a really difficult situation. … At the beginning of Lent I decided to fast and pray for that individual, for their conversion and a change of heart. And that person came back to me the Wednesday of Holy Week and had a conversion and a change of heart. So it was a very powerful Holy Week.  This year I plan to fast for the two ladies who have sponsored the extreme abortion bills here in Rhode Island. I’m going to focus my attention on conversion for them, because I know how powerful it has been.” – Julie from Rhode Island

“One weekend during Lent, we drive down to Birmingham, to Hanceville, to go to the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament for a weekend. Sort of a family retreat of just quiet time.” – Jennifer in Memphis, TN

“For Lent I have a Stations of the Cross Rosary, and I pray that every day. And thinking about every week of Lent you reflect on one of the covenants, starting with Adam and Eve and leading up to the New Covenant on Easter Sunday.” – Deacon Martin in Gary. IN

“My devotion during Lent is to be an activist to fight against the pro-abortion laws in Illinois. The bills have been introduced and we are going to work with our pastor to get the word out to the congregation. … Also, our committee goes to the abortion clinics once a month to pray the Rosary. I plan to attend that and just through more time in adoration and weekly Mass to offer those up for the unborn.” – Mary in Chicago, IL

If you are looking to increase your prayer time this Lent, be sure to check out the Relevant Radio App! It has tons of prayers and devotions to help you make the most of this beautiful liturgical season.

Stephanie Foley serves as a Digital Media Producer at Relevant Radio®. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she studied journalism, and she has worked in Catholic radio for 12 years. Stephanie is a wife, a mother of three boys, and in her free time she enjoys reading, running, and really good coffee. You can find more of Stephanie’s writing at relevantradio.com and on the free Relevant Radio mobile app.