Back by popular demand…
I’ve had these Lenten Promises in my Family Book for quite some time, so I’m not sure of the origin. Catherine wrote to say that she had seen them in the February 2000 newsletter of the Daughters of Mary, but an 80 year old woman from our parish is familiar with them from her youth so I know the list originated quite some time ago.
Which one will you pick to practice today?
Anyway, here are some things we can do in the quiet of our soul.
Little Lenten Sacrifices
1. I will not do any unnecessary talking; instead, I will pray little aspirations throughout the day.
2. I will exercise my patience in all things.
3. I will not complain.
4. I will restrain any anger, and go out of my way to be kind to the person who caused my anger.
5. I will not be distracted with someone else’s business.
6. At times, I will refrain from saying some unnecessary thing I wish to say.
7. I will force myself to smile and be cheerful when I feel sad or irritated.
8. I will mortify my curiosity by not trying to know the latest news that does not concern me.
9. I will not complain of little discomforts and inconveniences. Rather, at times I will seek them out.
10. Whenever it is possible, I will do the will of others instead of my own.
11. I will be especially kind and friendly to the person that most annoys me.
12. I will say a little aspiration and lift my mind to God each time the clock strikes the hour.
13. I will say, “Thank You, God,” whenever something happens contrary to my will.
14. When possible, I will wait for a time before doing something I am most eager to do.
15. I will discontinue without delay any pleasurable occupations if duty, obedience, or charity calls me elsewhere.
16. When others do not agree with me in matters of slight importance, I will keep silent and not press my opinion.
17. Whenever I awake in the night, I will raise my heart to God.
18. I will not excuse myself when blamed.
Colleen, your readers might enjoy the article that appeared in L’Osservatore Romano connected to this URL. It is by American Dominican Father Michael Monshau who teaches at the Pontifical Anghelicum University in Rome. Father Michael often writes about ways that the family can experience the church seasons and holy days as a family unit.
http://subtuum.blogspot.com/2010/03/fr-michael-monshau-on-keeping-lent-as.html
Thank you, Father! Your note somehow was marked as “SPAM” and I didn’t see it until today…nearly three weeks late.