Teens walk through Lent

	LENT FOR TEENS Pray,Fast, Almsgiving

The other day I posted about the girls (ages 2 and 5) journey through Lent.  Well today I thought I would seek out some resources for the teens in our house.  They know to "give" something up for Lent, but do they truly realize what Lent really stands for and how to grow in Christ through Lent.

Well they are about to get some resources to help them to read, watch and reflect on.  (Hopefully, our Adult child will take a look as well)

The first blog post I read was called Lent: 40-mini-crucifixions by Faith Noah.  I like this blog because it is written by a young adult for teens.  It is easy to follow and understand, no big theological words to throw their attention span off track.  She lays out a very simple explanation of Lent and reasons behind some of the Catholic traditions.  Honestly, I think even upper elementary and middle schoolers would benefit from this.

The next blog post I looked at was also on LifeTeen called What to Give Up for Lent: 25 Creative Ideas by Life Teen.  They put a survey question out on facebook and it lists 25 of the responses they received.  Some of them are very creative, like going without shoes, giving up their bed and sleeping on the floor, spoons and forks.  Teens can be very creative and imaginative if we do not limit them and try to challenge some of their ideas.

I came across a website called Catholic Youth Works.  This website is full of links to other Lent and Easter resources.  Their are videos, challenges, missions, talks, reading and so much more.  I encourage you to take a look.  I liked the video

The last blog I looked at was from St. Michael's Parish in Maine.  It  appears upon further reading that their ideas came from Lifeteen.  However they have listed them  by Fasting, Prayer, Almsgiving.
I like the idea for fasting "Give a hug to everyone in your family", "Compliment each person in your family sometime today"- Wow not sure the teen boys are up for that!!  Some of these ideas could be a real challenge and put the teens in our house out of their comfort zone.  Which is exactly what Lent is suppose to do?!  Are we not suppose to step out from ourselves and challenge ourselves to so something different, something hard, something that calls upon the strength of God to help us through?!

I came across this video done by Father Jack Collins You Don't Know Jack..About Lent.  He stands out side of St. Patrick Church in New York City and ask people about Lent and Catholic Traditions around Lent. It is sometimes good to have multimedia approach when trying to teach our kids about Lent and Catholic Traditions.

So as we try to engage our teens in the family Lenten journey.  It can be difficult among the school and sports schedule.  We can still strive to educate, encourage and support them on their journey to follow Christ.