My Lenten Journal

To understand the Lenten practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving

The children will be able to identify and explain the Lenten practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving.

• Colored paper
• Hole punch
• Four-inch pieces of ribbon
• Scissors
• Crayons, markers, and pencils

• Have the children create a journal to keep track of their Lenten practices.
• Provide the children with colored paper, crayons, scissors, and ribbon.
• Ask the children to divide each sheet of colored paper into four squares. Have them do this until they have 40 small squares.
• Cut the squares apart and punch one hole in an upper corner of all the squares. Bind them with the ribbon. Include a white square for the cover.
• When every child's book is complete, invite the children to decorate the front cover, entitling it My Lenten Journal.
• Then ask the children to write a special prayer or promise to God on the first page (Day 1).
• Explain to the children that they are to write in their journals during the 40 days of Lent. They should include their Lenten practices and the difficulties they encountered in trying to carry them out.
• Say to the children: Lent is a gift for us. It is a time for us to look at our lives and take care of our physical and spiritual well-being. It is good during Lent to reflect upon our daily lives as well as on our commitments to God.

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