Lent is a special time in the church calendar year that lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays. It’s a time that helps us get ready for Easter. We can make small sacrifices and choices during Lent to grow closer to Jesus.
During Lent, many people choose to give up certain foods or snacks they really like such as candy and chocolate or even meat. As Catholics, (between the ages of 18-59) we are required to not eat meat on Ash Wednesday, and all Fridays. It’s a form of fasting and penance. This isn’t to make us feel bad or sad, but to help us offer up little and big sacrifices as a prayer to Jesus.
We need to remember that Jesus sacrificed so much for us by suffering and dying on the cross. We can do these little sacrifices out of love for him and for others. This is a beautiful exchange of love.
Virtue: Love
Saint: St. Bakhita
Bible Verse: “...repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:15
Daily Craft Leader Video - Day 4
Lent Survival Kit
Theme Connection:
Creating a Lent Survival Kit is a wonderful way to help you focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting during this meaningful season. Each year, you can pull out your Lent Survival Kit and make entering into Lenten practices both enjoyable and educational.
You’ll Need:
- Small box or container with lid (1/child)
- Jesus Survival Kit label and notes
- Colored markers, colorful tape and stickers
- Kit Supplies (1/child): Band-Aids, Tissue or mini pack of tissues, Holy Water bottle, Jesus I Need You Prayer Card, Mini journal/notebook, prayer booklets, (Opt.) Battery operated candle, 40 Day Lent chart (PDF)
Prep:
• Print the Lent Survival Kit labels and notes.
Activity:
Read the message on the Lent Survival Kit note and introduce one item at a time.
1. Write your name on the bottom of the box.
2. Color the label and tape it on the lid.
3. Decorate the box with tape and stickers.
4. Put your supplies inside the Lent Survival Kit.
Prayer Plaques
Theme Connection:
Lent is a 40-day period of preparation leading up to Easter, in which we are called to reflect on our lives, recognize our sins, and seek forgiveness with God. Going to confession during this season is part of the Lenten journey and it prepares our hearts for the joy of Easter. An Examination of Conscience is often used before going to the sacrament of Confession. It can also be used at night before we go to bed to prayerfully reflect on our day. This prayer helps us to look back on our thoughts, words and actions to see if we have sinned against God and others. Read a few lines of the Examination of Conscience. The Act of Contrition is a prayer that we say to tell God that we are sorry for our sins.
You’ll need:
- Small wooden plaque or canvas board (1/child)
- Examination of Conscience Prayer (PDF)
- Tissue paper, cross stickers, colorful tape, etc.
- Mod Podge and paintbrushes
- Scissors
Prep:
• Print the Examination of Conscience Prayer
Activity:
1. Brush a layer of Mod Podge on the plaque and stick on the tissue paper, prayer, and Great Journey logo. Cover with another layer on top.
2. Finish decorating with stickers and tape.
3. Write your name on the back.
4. Set aside to dry.
Who Is Jesus Canvas
Theme Connection:
Jesus is a friend to everyone, but have you ever asked yourself, “Who is Jesus to ME?”
You’ll Need:
- Canvas (1/child)
- Who is Jesus to Me (PDF)
- Mod Podge and paintbrushes
- Scissors and permanent markers
Activity:
1. Cut out the image of Jesus and glue onto the center of the canvas.
2. Color “Jesus Is” and glue it to the top.
3. Choose the names of Jesus you want to add and cut them out.
4. Glue the names and the Great Journey logo around Jesus.
WATERCOLOR CRUCIFIX
Theme Connection:
The cross reminds us of Jesus and how much He loves us. When Jesus died on the cross, He showed us the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. Even if you were the only person in the whole world, Jesus would have died just for you. He gave up everything so we could have a chance to be close to God and to have our sins forgiven. When you see a cross, remember it’s a symbol of God’s love for you and me!
You’ll need:
- Watercolor crucifix (PDF) (1/child)
- Watercolor paint
- Paintbrushes and water cups
- Black wax crayons
- (Opt.) Hole puncher and string
Prep:
- Print the Watercolor Crucifix pages on cardstock.
Activity:
1. Cover the crucifix sillouette with the black crayon.
2. Paint the background with watercolors.
3. Add a string to hang at the top.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS MATCHING CARD GAME
Theme Connection:
The Stations of the Cross are a special way of remembering the journey that Jesus took on the day He died. There are 14 stations, each representing a different moment from His path to the cross. As we journey with Jesus through the Stations of the Cross, we learn important lessons about His love, sacrifice, and the hardships He faced for us.
Creating a matching card game with printable images of the Stations of the Cross is a great way to learn and reflect about what Jesus did out of love for us through his passion and death.
You’ll need:
- Stations of the Cross Matching Cards (PDF)
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Colored paper (black, brown, red and purple)
Prep:
- Print the of the Stations of the Cross cards on cardstock. (2 sheets/child)
Instructions:
1. Choose two different colors of paper and glue one to the back of each stations page.
2. Cut out the cards.
3. (Opt.) Use a brown marker to color the cross in each image.
To play Memory Match:
1. Shuffle the cards and lay them face down.
2. Take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find matching pairs. (flip one of each color)
3. If a player finds a match, keep the cards and take another turn. If not, turn the cards back over.
4. The game continues until all pairs have been matched.
5. The player with the most pairs at the end wins.
