A Family Lenten Journey

Goal

At the end of the household, MFC members should have spent quality time with their family through prayer and sharing, leading to a deeper relationship with one another and ultimately bringing them home with Christ.

Gift

A gift is something unasked for, but freely given. Time is a gift. Let us offer this gift most especially to our own families by scheduling a short family household. You may do it during mealtime or downtime, after Mass, or whenever it is comfortable to gather the whole family.

Glory

(Lead your family into a short prayer.)

Lord, we come home to You and glorify You as the center of our family. As we are gathered at this moment, grant us the grace to have a simple sharing with one another. May the Holy Spirit inspire us and fill our family with Your love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us.

Grab

What is it that you really like or enjoy doing that is hard to give up?

Grace

Read: “Return to the Lord, your God.” — Joel 2:13

Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. It is a sacred season when Christians reflect deeply on what Jesus has done for us. Lent is a special time to turn away from sin, return home, and fix our eyes on Christ. It invites us to reflect on the immeasurable love of Jesus shown through His suffering, death, and resurrection.

“The authentic gospel is the gospel of the cross. It is the gospel that says suffering is a prelude and even a conditioning to redemption. It points to the necessity of a Good Friday before an Easter Sunday. The good news of salvation in Jesus was achieved through his suffering and death on the cross.”

Frank Padilla, 40 Days with Job

This is the heart of Lent. We cannot celebrate Easter without first embracing Good Friday. The Cross is not the end of the story, it is the path to redemption. As families, we are invited to walk this path together. As the late Pope Benedict XVI beautifully said: “Lent is like a long retreat during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One… using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God, and penance.” 

The Church gives us three pillars to guide our Lenten journey:

1. Prayer - Prayer deepens our relationship with God. It stirs our love and devotion and reminds us that we need Him every day.

2. Fasting - Fasting helps us detach from comfort and reminds us that our true hunger is for God.

3. Almsgiving - Almsgiving teaches generosity and trust. By giving to others, we imitate Christ’s sacrificial love.

Lent reaches its climax in the Paschal Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These are the holiest days of the Church year. As a family, we are strongly encouraged to actively participate in the Paschal Triduum:

• Attend Holy Thursday Mass and reflect on Jesus’ humility and service.

• Observe Good Friday with reverence, remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.

• Celebrate the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday with renewed joy and gratitude.

When the whole family walks through the Triduum together, we experience the full story of salvation, from sacrifice to victory, from death to life. Lent is an opportunity for your family to return home together in Christ. Let us make this season intentional, prayerful, and transformative.

Gather

1. Which of the three pillars: Prayer, Fasting, or Almsgiving, speaks to you most this year? Why?

2. How can our family better embrace the message of the Cross this Lent?

Go Forth

Family Lenten Activity – Almsgiving

1. Ask each family member to choose three good-quality, useful items to donate to those in need. Offer these items to a chosen charity.

2. After donating, gather as a family and pray for the people who will receive them.

3. Also, agree on a consistent family prayer schedule throughout Lent. Commit to attending the Paschal Triduum together as a family.

4. Together, bring your petitions, worries, and thanksgiving to the Lord who lovingly guides your home.

Group Family Photo

Take a family photo during your “family almsgiving,” “family prayer time,” or participation in the Paschal Triduum and post it on social media.

Use the hashtags: #MissionaryFamiliesofChrist #FamilyHousehold #LentenSeason