Lent is almost here! If you’re the kind of person who realizes it’s Ash Wednesday midway through your first sip of a latte, this episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley is for you. Patrick sits down with Fr. Marcel Taillon to help us get our Lenten game plan in order before we’re scrambling for a last-minute sacrifice.

Catch the entire podcast here!

Lent: A 40-Day Spiritual Retreat for Everyone ⏳💜

Fr. Taillon reminds us why we even have Lent in the first place. Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting, praying, and resisting temptation, and now we follow in His footsteps. The best part is that Lent is personal. Everyone’s Lent will look different because we’re all in different places in our spiritual journeys.

-Some people give up food or habits (bye-bye, morning bagel 🥯😭).

-Some add acts of charity and extra prayer.

-Some do both.

Make it meaningful, not just an excuse for a diet or productivity hack. Lent is about getting closer to Jesus.

Fr. Taillon’s Lenten Advice

Father shares some wisdom on how to pick the right sacrifice:

🔹 Be intentional. Don’t just pick something random… pray about it! What does God want from you this Lent?

🔹 Make it annoying. (Yes, really.) Fr. Taillon prefers sacrifices that bug him throughout the day, keeping Jesus constantly on his mind. His go-to is no bread. (Only the Eucharist)

🔹 Do something that lasts. Some Lenten sacrifices turn into permanent changes.

What Should I Do for Lent? 🤔

Caller John from Illinois asks a great question: How do we know if our Lenten sacrifice is pleasing to God? Father’s response:

✅ It’s all about the heart. If your sacrifice is done in humility and sincerity, God is pleased.

✅ Giving up vs. adding in. Instead of just giving something up, why not add something too? More prayer, acts of service, or spiritual reading can transform your Lent.

✅ Balance prayer and charity. Loving God is crucial but so is loving your neighbor. Visiting someone lonely, calling a relative, or writing a thoughtful note can be just as Lenten as fasting.

One Listener’s Lent That Never Ended 😇

Jennifer from Austin shares her Lenten journey: Eight years ago, she started going to daily Mass once a week for Lent… and never stopped. Now, when she prioritizes God, the rest of her life just works better.

Bottom Line: Get Ready Now! 💜

Don’t wait until Ash Wednesday morning to figure out your Lenten plan. Pray about it. Be intentional. Make it meaningful. And if it’s a little annoying? Well… that just means it’s working. 😉

So, what’s your Lenten plan? Drop the coffee? Add daily Mass? Let’s hear it! 🙌✝️

Plus, there’s still time to sign up for Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments with Fr. Rocky: a brand-new FREE video series starting Ash Wednesday, March 5th.

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