During these days of Lent that finds each of us in difficult and different situations than we are familiar with, what are you as a family doing to celebrate your faith? Lots of ideas have been floating around for academic input, but I have not seen a lot for increasing our faith during this Lent when many of us are more confined to home.
 
So, here are a few simple suggestions: Take 10 minutes a day to pray as a family. This is a great time to learn the prayers your child should know. We were scheduled to have confessions on March 23. And in preparing for them we quickly found out that many do not know an Act of Contrition. The young ones can use “Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Grades four through eight should know the one listed below. Another prayer that would be a great one is Angel of God, also listed below. If you prayed these every day for the 21 days, I am quite sure most children and adults would know them.
 
Angel of God my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
 
Act of Contrition: My God, I am sorry for my sins with a all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.