A 40-day Lenten guide for Catholics focused on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This daily plan will help you reflect, repent, and grow closer to Christ, leading you through Holy Week and into the joy of Easter.
Week 1: Turning Toward God
- Ash Wednesday (Day 1) – Fast and abstain from meat. Reflect on your Lenten intentions.
- Day 2 (Thursday) – Read Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
- Day 3 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Pray the Stations of the Cross.
- Day 4 (Saturday) – Do an act of charity: donate food or money to those in need.
- 1st Sunday of Lent – Read Mark 1:12-15 (Jesus in the desert). Reflect on your own spiritual wilderness.
Week 2: Deepening Prayer
- Day 5 (Monday) – Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer with God.
- Day 6 (Tuesday) – Pray for someone who has hurt you.
- Day 7 (Wednesday) – Meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary.
- Day 8 (Thursday) – Fast from distractions (social media, TV) for a day.
- Day 9 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
- Day 10 (Saturday) – Read and reflect on Psalm 51 (A prayer of repentance).
- 2nd Sunday of Lent – Read Mark 9:2-10 (The Transfiguration). Ask God to reveal His glory in your life.
Week 3: Acts of Mercy
- Day 11 (Monday) – Forgive someone who has wronged you.
- Day 12 (Tuesday) – Write a thank-you note to someone who has blessed you.
- Day 13 (Wednesday) – Meditate on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).
- Day 14 (Thursday) – Perform a random act of kindness.
- Day 15 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Attend or watch a Stations of the Cross service.
- Day 16 (Saturday) – Spend time with someone lonely or in need.
- 3rd Sunday of Lent – Read John 4:5-42 (The Woman at the Well). Reflect on how Jesus satisfies your thirst.
Week 4: Renewal of Heart
- Day 17 (Monday) – Pray for peace in the world.
- Day 18 (Tuesday) – Attend daily Mass or Eucharistic Adoration.
- Day 19 (Wednesday) – Read Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son). Ask God for mercy.
- Day 20 (Thursday) – Fast from complaining.
- Day 21 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Give alms to the poor.
- Day 22 (Saturday) – Make a list of things you are grateful for.
- 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) – Rejoice in the mercy of God and reflect on Ephesians 5:8-14.
Week 5: Drawing Near to the Cross
- Day 23 (Monday) – Read John 8:1-11 (The Woman Caught in Adultery). Accept God’s mercy.
- Day 24 (Tuesday) – Pray for those who are suffering.
- Day 25 (Wednesday) – Write down your burdens and offer them to God.
- Day 26 (Thursday) – Read John 13:1-17 and reflect on serving others.
- Day 27 (Friday) – Abstain from meat. Meditate on Jesus’ Seven Last Words.
- Day 28 (Saturday) – Confess your sins in Reconciliation.
- 5th Sunday of Lent – Read John 11:1-45 (Raising of Lazarus). Where is God calling you to new life?
Holy Week: Entering into Christ’s Passion
- Palm Sunday – Reflect on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11).
- Holy Monday – Meditate on John 12:1-11 (Mary anoints Jesus’ feet).
- Holy Tuesday – Read John 13:21-38 (Jesus predicts Peter’s denial).
- Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday) – Reflect on Judas’ betrayal and examine your own heart.
Sacred Triduum
- Holy Thursday – Attend Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Reflect on the Eucharist and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
- Good Friday – Fast, abstain from meat, and venerate the Cross. Read the Passion narrative (John 18-19).
- Holy Saturday – Enter into silence and waiting. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries and prepare your heart for Easter.
Easter Sunday: He is Risen!
- Celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death! Read John 20:1-18 and rejoice in the resurrection.
Hey Dana Jane 