Happy Lent!
Well, maybe that’s not quite the right greeting. Lent is traditionally a season marked by fasting, abstinence, and prayer—not exactly what you associate with celebration. At least, that’s been my experience as a Catholic, and I think it holds true for many other Christian denominations as well.
Growing up, Lent meant giving something up—usually candy, thanks to my mom’s rule. So for us kids, it really became a countdown to Easter, when we could finally dive into our baskets and enjoy all the sweets we’d given up for 40 days.
As I’ve gotten older, though, Lent has taken on a deeper significance. Within the Catholic tradition, there are so many opportunities to engage more fully with your faith during this time. Programs like the Rice Bowl emphasize almsgiving. There are Bible and book studies, educational talks, and increased opportunities for worship, confession, and Eucharistic adoration.
I’ve noticed similar offerings in other Christian communities in our area, with many churches hosting special Lenten services or encouraging involvement in various ways.
One of the highlights for me this year came from our local Catholic group in northeast South Dakota, the Our Lady of the Snows Pastorate, which hosted a Lenten retreat this past weekend. The theme was “Seasons of Faith,” and people from Eden, Britton, Sisseton, Webster, and surrounding communities came together for a day of reflection, learning, and discussion centered on deepening our spiritual lives.
It was a truly meaningful experience. Speakers shared their personal faith journeys, and after each talk, we broke into groups to reflect and add our own insights. A panel discussion featured individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds who offered moving testimony about how their faith shaped their lives.
I’ve attended retreats like this before, and they always leave an impact. These are the kinds of days where your heart feels full, and you may even shed a few tears as you take time to pray and reflect. For me, the most valuable part was simply pausing—putting aside the busyness of parenting, the constant pull of technology, and the daily rush—to focus on what truly matters.
Like many people, I often struggle to stay grounded, especially when it comes to my faith. It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions of everyday life. But Lent offers a built-in opportunity to slow down and reset. I try to carve out more quiet moments, attend daily Mass when possible, or just spend a little extra time in prayer. I’ll admit, I still have a long way to go. But I keep trying.
Whether you’re Catholic, belong to another faith tradition, or none at all, I hope you’re able to find your own quiet moments this season. Time to reflect, pray, meditate, or simply unplug from the noise around you. I think we all need that.
Before I know it, the 40 days of Lent will pass, and yes—I’ll be back to enjoying chocolate. But more importantly, I hope I can hold onto the stillness and keep making space for the things that matter most. Especially Christ.
