In spite of the somewhat intimidating themes of penance, prayer and fasting, Lent offers a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about the central mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes Lent as the primary penitential season in the liturgical year. Just as Jesus spent 40 days praying and fasting in the desert, Catholics spend the days of Lent preparing spiritually to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. The feast of Easter represents the foundational event of the Catholic faith, so even the smallest member of the family should prepare for more than just colored eggs and candy. Peter and Catherine Fournier, authors of “Lent and Easter in the Domestic Church,” see the journey through Lent as a time for the whole family to grow in faith. Yet the spirituality of Lent can be a challenge for both children and adults to grasp. While Advent seems to come with built-in visual aids — Christmas trees, Advent calendars, nativity scenes — the spare, simple season of Lent initially seems less approachable. “I think, in a lot of ways, Lent is hard for everybody to understand,” Catherine Fournier writes, “especially if you make it too abstract.” A time to prepare In order to help children access the spirit of the Lenten season, parents can bring the themes of prayer and sacrifice down to a level that children will understand. They can begin by presenting the season of Lent as a time of preparation. “We prepare for lots of activities,” Catherine points out. “We write a grocery list before heading to the store. We put on a coat before going outside.” As children think about the ways that they prepare for important events in their own lives, they can begin to see penance, fasting, prayer and almsgiving as ways to prepare the heart for Easter. To emphasize this spirit of preparation, consider making a noticeable change in the appearance of the home. After Ash Wednesday services, create a special prayer table display to help the family focus on Lenten devotions. A new icon or seasonal prayer book can serve as a visible reminder of the connection between church and home. For a more striking reminder of the spirit of Lent, try putting away decorative furnishings until the Easter season. Just as some churches cover statues during Holy Week, removing decorative items reminds the family that, as Peter Fournier writes, “we are stripping away anything unimportant and preparing for the important.” Family efforts Making such changes, as a family, teaches children how to live the faith day to day. Offering a Lenten sacrifice also fulfills this purpose. Preparing a meatless meal, foregoing dessert or offering an extra donation to the poor serves as a visible reminder of the spirit of Lenten preparation. To promote a sense of shared commitment, hold a family meeting to decide the year’s sacrificial activities. The types of sacrifices will vary according to the age and needs of the children, but the acts themselves will communicate the importance of the season. Families can also strive to grow in faith by participating in a devotional activity together. Attend a parish-run bible study. Pray the stations of the cross at church or try a stations activity designed specifically for kids. Create a spiritual bouquet for a loved one by offering special prayers for his or her intentions and sending a card listing the prayers. More important than any activities, though, is the example parents set for their children. As Peter Fournier explains, children learn largely by imitating until they reach their teen years. “The real opportunity of Lent,” Peter says, “is to communicate to children that the parents think Lent is important.” When parents embrace a spirit of Lenten preparation, their actions teach children that they take the faith seriously. An act of loving prayer or service may communicate the faith in ways that words do not, helping children internalize an appreciation for Catholic beliefs and practices. The teaching of doctrines follows automatically, Catherine Fournier describes, when you “make a Catholic attitude central to life at home.” For a more fruitful experience of Lent, share the journey as a family.