I'm Stuck This Lent

[Quaere_Verum]

Last year I had an extremely spiritually fulfilling Lent, and, this year I can’t even think of what to do. Usually I have plans for both myself and my family with activities for the children included. And this year I feel stuck, and Lent is right around the corner. It’s almost as if everything has come to a stand still - a spiritual brick wall if you will.

Any ideas?

 

[puzzleannie]

whatever you did last year sounds like it was very profitable, any reason not to do it again? just following the traditional practices of fasting, abstinence, prayer and alms-giving works for us.

In this diocese our bishop has made encouraging every Catholic to turn to the sacrament of Penance a priority.

 

[Quaere_Verum]

Last year I focused on one saint who became my ideal of penance, suffering, and sacrifice for the season. Everything I read and watched had to do with this saint and my prayers for intercession were to this saint. My life took on a totally different meaning because my life became more simple and in doing so I automatically gave up many worldly things. Now I’m in search of another saint but am not sure who to select.

 

[Belle10]

Last year I focused on one saint who became my ideal of penance, suffering, and sacrifice for the season. Everything I read and watched had to do with this saint and my prayers for intercession were to this saint. My life took on a totally different meaning because my life became more simple and in doing so I automatically gave up many worldly things. Now I’m in search of another saint but am not sure who to select.

I highly suggest St. Faustina (if she isn’t the one you focused on last year, but even if she is, you certainly could again!). She is wonderful.

What if you were to read and focus on Jesus instead of a saint? There’s obviously nothing wrong with saints, but there are many books/movies about Jesus too, and He is (of course) the ultimate example of suffering and sacrifice.

I wouldn’t worry about not having a lot planned – maybe God is preparing a special gift for you and if you had lots of plans it would interfere with His plans, know what I mean?

 

[Quaere_Verum]

Belle 10,

St. Faustina is a wonderful idea as is Blessed Mother Teresa as mentioned earlier. Last year I focused on St. Francis of Assisi. Yes, focusing on Jesus would be the best. But, sadly, for some reason I’m having a difficult time relating to Jesus. I was also having a difficult time relating to St. Francis of Assisi, but God blest me with a friend who reminds me so much of St. Francis, so reading about St. Francis became easy. Then reading about St. Francis reminded me of Jesus. So, you see one led to the other. By the grace of God I was given a very tangible example who I could relate to because he is living then came the saint then came Jesus.

I don’t know if that made any sense to anybody but me.

 

[Belle10]

Belle 10,

St. Faustina is a wonderful idea as is Blessed Mother Teresa as mentioned earlier. Last year I focused on St. Francis of Assisi. Yes, focusing on Jesus would be the best. But, sadly, for some reason I’m having a difficult time relating to Jesus. I was also having a difficult time relating to St. Francis of Assisi, but God blest me with a friend who reminds me so much of St. Francis, so reading about St. Francis became easy. Then reading about St. Francis reminded me of Jesus. So, you see one led to the other. By the grace of God I was given a very tangible example who I could relate to because he is living then came the saint then came Jesus.

I don’t know if that made any sense to anybody but me.

It makes sense to me. I think sometimes it’s easier to relate to a saint perhaps because they were human just like us. I know Jesus was fully human and fully divine, but I admit sometimes when I meditate on His passion, I have a hard time uniting my sufferings (minor compared to His) to His sufferings, simply because the thought, “Well, even though it was terrible for Him (obviously an understatement), He is God, so that’s how He made it through all that.” I know that’s a very skewed notion (please don’t everyone reprimand me ) but sometimes it is a thought I have. In this way I can understand why looking at a saint’s life might be easier to emulate, and as you said, you’re still looking to Jesus as well. I don’t know if I’m explaining myself very well.

 

[Quaere_Verum]

You explained yourself quite well. Thanks!

 

[puzzleannie]

focusing on a saint in this way is an excellent practice
perhaps look for one of the saints of Lent
St. Bernadette comes to mind, as this is the anniversary year of the Lourdes apparitions, feast Feb 11 & 12.

perhaps a pilgrimage to a Lourdes shrine (which carries an indulgence this year) either actual or virtual.
San Antonio has one
so does Cleveland, and many other cities.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Praying the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent… is a good thing to do. Most parishes offer Friday Stations… or you can say them in the privacy of your own home.

I can remember my mother taking us to Friday Stations during Lent… when we were kids. Made a big impression on me. Have you done this with your kids?

 

[asia53]

It makes sense to me. I think sometimes it’s easier to relate to a saint perhaps because they were human just like us. I know Jesus was fully human and fully divine, but I admit sometimes when I meditate on His passion, I have a hard time uniting my sufferings (minor compared to His) to His sufferings, simply because the thought, “Well, even though it was terrible for Him (obviously an understatement), He is God, so that’s how He made it through all that.” I know that’s a very skewed notion (please don’t everyone reprimand me ) but sometimes it is a thought I have. In this way I can understand why looking at a saint’s life might be easier to emulate, and as you said, you’re still looking to Jesus as well. I don’t know if I’m explaining myself very well.

You did good!

Asia