12 Ways to Finish Lent Strong!

Alright everyone—Holy Week is nearly here. If you haven’t been faithful to the Lenten sacrifices or commitments you chose at the start of the season, now isn’t the time for excuses or for pretending otherwise. Instead, let’s make this final week count.

Below are 12 penances and devotions you might consider. I’m not saying do all of them—just pick one or two that will help re-center your heart and draw you more deeply into what this week is really about: the remembrance of the Good Jesus, who went to Calvary out of love for you.

Let me suggest 12:

1. Attend Holy Mass Daily
Step into the heart of Christ’s Passion by uniting with Him in the Eucharist each day.

2. Pray 3 Rosaries a Day
Meditate on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ through Mary’s eyes.

3. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
Offer reparation for your sins and the sins of the whole world each day this week. Preferably at 3pm (if possible).

4. Fast Until 3 PM Each Day
Honor the hour of Christ’s death with a daily fast, aligning your hunger with His sacrifice. … Oh, and you could end the fast by doing number 3 (Divine Mercy Chaplet)

5. Pray the Stations of the Cross Daily
Walk with Christ through His Passion and renew your gratitude for every step He took for you.

6. Make a Daily Holy Hour
Spend one hour in silence with Christ each day—especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament if possible.

7. Turn Off All Entertainment
Abstain from ALL shows, music, and social media to create more space for prayer and reflection. Alternatively, if you want to listen to music, let it be something sacred—like Gregorian chant.

8. Read a Passion Narrative Each Day
Read the Passion accounts from each Gospel throughout the week, one per day. And don’t read anything else for entertainment.

9. Sleep on the Floor
C’mon—embrace a little discomfort! Or, if that’s too much, set an alarm for 3:00 AM each morning. Wake up, say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be… then go back to sleep.

10. Do a 40-Hour Fast
Begin after Holy Thursday evening Mass and continue through Holy Saturday—joining countless Christians who fast during this sacred window as a way of keeping watch with Christ and preparing their hearts for the Resurrection.

11. Take Daily Cold Showers
Offer up the discomfort as a small sharing in Christ’s pain.

12. Wake Up One Hour Earlier for Prayer
Give the Lord the first hour of your day in quiet, undistracted time. It’s okay if you feel groggy or distracted—just do it.

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