Lenten Countdown

"Create In Us A Clean Heart, O God"

~This is our Family Lenten Journey Motto~

We created this tri-fold calendar to help us count down the 40 days of Lent and to remind us of our promises to grow closer to Jesus.  When I use the word "Journey," it is not to imply a walk in the park or something easy.  We thought it represented a road or path that we must take, with bumps and bruises a long the way...Of Course!  The Journey to Bethlehem comes to mind and the suffering that beheld that particular journey for the Holy Family.  Not to say that our journey will be anything close to THAT journey.  We pray it will be a meaningful practice of moving forth with sacrifice in heart, mind, and soul~A true journey.

"The more we become empty of ourselves, the more we will be able to be filled with God."

~Blessed Mother Teresa~

We just purchased this tri-fold at the Dollar Tree and used purple (Color of Lent) sticky notes to mark the days.  

Note:  Depending on the size of your tri-fold, you "may" have to trim the sticky notes.

We marked the calendar dates in the corners and the days of Lent (#1-40) circled and highlighted in the center.  We thought this would help the younger children to see both the date and the Lenten number for that day.  Here is a close-up photo:

Then we added some special saints and feast days that we will be celebrating.  I had this sticker album on hand that I hadn't used yet.  I photo copied the stickers to use for our Lenten Calendar.

At our Lenten Team Huddle, we came up with our family spiritual goals for Prayer, Fast, and Almsgiving.  We listed our plans on the sides of the board.

As we peel off the stickers, there are actions to be taken and also a "secret message" to be revealed at the end of the 40 days.

The days prior to Holy Week reveal flowers, or blossoms, like our new lives that we have created and fragrant gifts we have given to God, who has given everything to us.

"God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son."

~John 3: 16~

When all the notes are peeled off for Holy Week...

It will reveal this!

I pray that we are ready for our Lenten Journey, not just on paper... but most importantly in our hearts and souls.

Note:  I am happy to send the list of things to do under our sticky notes.  I have not yet taken the time to learn how to upload documents to share!  If you'd like the list, just drop me an e-mail.

{A Lenten Checklist is coming soon!}

Please visit these blogs for other Lenten Calendar Inspirations:
Holy Family Classical Academy
JOYfilled Family
Shower of Roses
Catholic Icing
Growing Roses