Fasting and abstinence are the practice of giving up something good (for example, eating meat or watching television) in order to turn away from sin and draw closer to God. […]
Fasting for Lent: 11 ideas for what kids & teens can give up
Fasting, giving, praying: 25+ ideas for what kids & teens can do for Lent
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are at the heart of the forty days of Lent. Here are some strategies for helping your kids get involved in these traditional penitential practices. Most of the ideas you’ll find on the website are appropriate for kids ages six and up. The best way to introduce younger children to Lenten practices is for them to see adults and older kids in the family practicing them; use their natural curiosity and desire to be “grown up” as a springboard for talking about what you’re doing, and why. Find out how to talk about Lent with kids, fasting ideas, prayer suggestions, giving ideas and much more.
A daily examen for children and teens
The daily examen is a powerful tool for spiritual growth often recommended by the pope. Here’s how to introduce it to your kids.
Take your child on a date to Mass
Finding time to be with just one child when there are several in the household is nearly impossible. But, as I found recently, the trouble to make it happen can be also incredibly rewarding. For our mother-son, one-on-one date, I took my son to evening Mass.
Introducing kids to contemplative prayer
Contemplative prayer is one of the three “expressions of prayer” described by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the others are Vocal Prayer and Meditative Prayer). Contemplative prayer is a simple resting in the love of Christ. Contemplation may not seem suited to wiggly, squirmy, eye-rolling, “Are-we-done-yet?” kids. But this intimate basking in Christ’s love is something kids deserve to know about.
