Saints' Discussion Forums

How is your Lent going? Do you feel the conversion and penance that you think you should, so far? Our day-to-day conversion seems almost harder, in some ways, than our initial conversion. At least that's what I've found for me. I've been working on accepting my past and present. It's been so hard, then, after the Eucharist today I cried (silently) for the first time in a long while and realized that I needed to do it out of obedience rather than feeling. Somehow that seems easier for me - at least for now. I know the feeling will follow, which is part of being human, to me.

How about your Lenten journey?

I have not been satisfied with my penance this Lent. I could have done more, maybe. As I've said in an earlier thread, fasting is the most difficult penance for me and I'm taking it slow. Cutting down on a few things like ice cream or juice. But I could have done more this Lent by way of penance. Also I could have meditated more. I say my Rosary,  morning and night prayers , but I need to spend more quiet time with the Lord and Our Lady. The days go by in a buzz of activity and I need to be less anxious and lean on God in confidence.
But I believe Lent is just a launching pad for the rest of the year. I don't want to give up and want to work on some kind of penance and more prayerful life even after Lent, by God's grace. :)

In reading your post, it struck me that even tho' my "quiet time with the Lord and Our Lady" is not at all what I am wanting or even what I've been able to do in the past, that I am able to keep focussed on Him (for more than a few minutes) when I'm at Adoration. Maybe you and I need to depend more on Him (and ask Him in prayer) for that focus and anxiety. He can and will give that to us if we can but truly ask! I have to watch myself constantly to keep away from the idea that I need to "pull myself up by my own bootstraps".
I agree that Lent is a "launching pad for the rest of the year".

That reminds me. Our parish is going to start 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration soon  and I signed up for an hour a week yesterday at the 'films'. So maybe that is exactly what I need as you recommended.
Once you are in church and away from the phone , bills and housework it is easier to have that quiet time with the Lord! Thanks :)

Maybe I should sign up for an hour a week, too. It sometimes seems limiting to me, but I know it would be really good for me (and wonderful for my spiritual life).

I have been thinking about this too!
My Lenten practise was interrupted by illness, and I got a bit slack in my devotions, and in what I ate as I was convalescing (I only wanted to eat ice cream, but carried on doing so!)
As we enter Passiontide, I want to make that extra effort, not just by fasting and concentrating on spiritual reading/praying etc. but in a way that hurts a little. I have thought of praying the Rosary on a hard floor on my knees, or wearing clothes which are uncomfortable, not putting the heating on when I am cold etc. just to cause a little discomfort to remind me of my sinful state and my need for repentance.

Yes, I am in the same place and I want to put a good finish to things. :) These are good ideas!

I have stripped my altars at home, covered the statues in purple, and placed a crucifix there.

My Altar (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4482666144_2a6e33fdbf.jpg)

Tonight I will be doing a Tenebrae "service" upstairs by myself [Tenebrae Liturgy (http://www.brazoschant.org/schola/tenebrae.pdf)]. I already feel the beginnings of the grief and pain I go through every Easter Triduum. It's hard to explain. I don't do anything to make it happen, but since I have been a Catholic, it just does. Perhaps because I have meditated on the crucifix every day. Tomorrow will be very hard :'( That's as it should be...I want to feel Christ's pain, even if in such a very small way...

I have decided to fast from tv until after sundown on Saturday evening also and read my Bible only.

Beautiful to read.. and the illustrations too.

I feel the more quiet and solemn.

It's almost time.


"It is good for a man to bear the yoke from his youth. Let him sit alone and in silence, when it is laid upon him. Let him put his mouth to the dust; there may yet be hope."

Lovely!

I am also fasting from the internet, so shall see you on Sunday.

I pray that God blesses you all deeply as you observe the Easter Triduum and enter into the pain of His Passion and Death. May you wake on Sunday with a heart full of joy and new life at the Resurrection.
Much love to all of you, and many, many prayers.
AutumnRose xxx

Farewell!!!