Lenten Preparations

Lent is a privileged time of interior pilgrimage towards Him Who is the fount of mercy.

~ Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2006

As you can see, these traditions have developed over time in our family. If this is your first year to try some activities to help your children embrace this meaningful season even more, I highly recommend choosing one or two to start with. See what works for your family and then add more if you'd like to.

Preparations

Lenten Reading Plans (2010)

Mardi Gras Cookie Masks (2010)

Shrove Tuesday (painted masks 2009)

Making Preparations (2007)

And he fasted forty days and forty nights
and afterward he was hungry...
Then the devil left him, and behold,
angels came and ministered to him.
Matt. 4:2, 11

Lenten Wreaths

We have one every year but it seems I have been remiss in taking pictures of them. The picture above is our most recent one from last year. Sometimes we use it by removing a thorn when we successfully complete and act of charity; other times it's just a visual reminder.
 Preparations - Part 3 (2007)

Lenten Calendars

Memory Lane (2010)

Shrove Tuesday (calendars 2009)

It Begins (2008)

Preparations - Part 2 (2007)

Saying Goodbye to the Alleluia

Wooden Letter Alleluia (2009)

Preparations - Final (2007)

Finished Alleluia Banner (2007)

Stations of the Cross

We try to make it to Mass on Friday and stay to pray stations afterwards with any of our homeschool friends who show up (weather permitting). The church has outdoor stations available only because of the group of elderly people who get together to pray the rosary after Mass. 

Here are some excellent resources for praying the Stations of the Cross for Children:

Jennifer Miller's printable versions

Domestic Church's Coloring Pages

Multimedia Presentation by Loyola Press

Activities

Lenten Cleaning (2009)

Clothespin Apostles (2009)

Friday Lenten Fun (2009)

Lenten Friday Fun *UPDATE (2008)

First Contestant (2008)

Easter Tree

Holy Week

Holy Week Traditions (2008)

Good Friday (2008)

Good Friday Reflections (2007)