Embracing the Lenten Season as a Family
An Interview with Catholic Author Meredith Gould
By Lisa M. Hendey
One of my most respected spiritual mentors once recounted to me her first experience of choosing not to “do” Lent – she was a student, away from home and the strongly enforced parental supervision of Lenten sacrifices and rituals for the first time. Feeling that she had evolved spiritually to the point that it was no longer necessary for her to “give something up” for Lent, she let the liturgical season pass her by with little notice. To this day, she recalls the sense of true loss she felt when Easter Sunday arrived and she recognized her lack of spiritual preparation for the moment of celebrating Christ’s resurrection. From that experience, she went on to become a major proponent of Lenten observances and a witness to those around her of the significance and benefit of Lenten fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
Catholic families have a unique and precious opportunity to share with their growing (and grown!) children the beauty and importance of the Lenten Season. By instilling in our children a sense of love and anticipation during Lent, we can overcome any negative stereotypes they may have related to the sacrificial nature of this time of the year. I recently had the occasion to consult with Meredith Gould, author of The Catholic Home and the newly released Come to the Table: A Catholic Passover Seder for Holy Week and sought out her expertise on embracing the Lenten season with our families.
One of my most respected spiritual mentors once recounted to me her first experience of choosing not to “do” Lent – she was a student, away from home and the strongly enforced parental supervision of Lenten sacrifices and rituals for the first time. Feeling that she had evolved spiritually to the point that it was no longer necessary for her to “give something up” for Lent, she let the liturgical season pass her by with little notice. To this day, she recalls the sense of true loss she felt when Easter Sunday arrived and she recognized her lack of spiritual preparation for the moment of celebrating Christ’s resurrection. From that experience, she went on to become a major proponent of Lenten observances and a witness to those around her of the significance and benefit of Lenten fasting, prayer and almsgiving.
Catholic families have a unique and precious opportunity to share with their growing (and grown!) children the beauty and importance of the Lenten Season. By instilling in our children a sense of love and anticipation during Lent, we can overcome any negative stereotypes they may have related to the sacrificial nature of this time of the year. I recently had the occasion to consult with Meredith Gould, author of The Catholic Home and the newly released Come to the Table: A Catholic Passover Seder for Holy Week and sought out her expertise on embracing the Lenten season with our families.
Read this interview here:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource.php?n=1340
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