I was first inspired to “decorate” our {rented :)} apartment for Lent last year, when I saw Holly of Three Sided Wheel’s post about “Preparing to Keep a Holy Lent.” (She has SO many inspired and inspiring ideas!) I was further inspired after reading Elizabeth Foss’s post about their mantel letters. I didn’t have much time to prepare last year though, and sadly, this year is pretty much the same, too. (Even if we’re already living in a new {and still rented} apartment.)
Still, in the spirit of reminding myself and my family that Lent is a special time during the Church Year, and to emphasize it as a period of waiting and repentance, I did what I could with the materials we have in the house (purple crepe paper and Japanese paper + white bond paper and our printer) and tried to “decorate” our home, which the Church considers the “domestic church.” I also felt compelled to do so because of Jennifer of Catholic Inspired’s post about Lenten prayer chains and other activities.
I’ve just finished (it’s almost 1 a.m. now) doing so and I’d like to share the resulting photos with you all. (Please forgive the quality though — I only used my phone as our camera isn’t working.)
Our altar in the bedroom + the kids’s “learning” board (the back of their bookshelf, haha!)
Our altar in the living area downstairs
A closer look: St. Pedro Calungsod is our family’s patron saint for the year. Of course, we have the Holy Family to remind us of our vocation. St. Therese is there for Rysse (she was named after her), and St. Michael the Archangel is Tim’s saint companion for this year. There are two Lenten sacrifice jars — one for Rysse and one for Tim. (I will also use Rysse’s and Anthony will use Tim’s.)
A simple reminder to cut TV time during Lent. :)
The Lenten sacrifice jars on our altar are just recycled plastic jars. As a variation of the sacrifice bean jars I usually see on other Catholic moms’ blogs, I filled one shallow container with stones (smooth pebbles bought at SM Department Store, which we used for our Nativity sensory bin last year).
Every time someone in the family does a sacrifice (or a good deed), he or she can place a stone in the corresponding jar. On Easter Sunday, the stones will be replaced with small chocolate Easter eggs (instead of the usual jelly beans — those are kinda expensive here in the Philippines, compared to small chocolate eggs. 🙂 )
Anyway, if you feel inspired to do something similar in your own home, by all means, go ahead and do so. 🙂 It’s not too late — Lent has only just begun! (Oh, and in case you want to “catch up” and have your own family traditions and activities for Lent, you can read my post about how we prepare for Lent here.)
Here’s to a holy, meaningful Lent for us all!
Hi Tina,
im curious. can you help me how to choose a saint companion? i like the idea for my daughter. although she is still 10 months, i want her to have one..so that i can tell about it when she’s old enought to understand..
Hi Devi! 🙂
This year, I asked Allison of Totus Tuus Family and Homeschool to help pray for saint companions for us — here’s the link to her post: http://totustuusfamily.blogspot.com/2013/01/your-2013-saint-companion-giveaway.html. You can also check out this link: http://jenniferfulwiler.com/saints/#.URxuClpsNBw.
Of course, everything must be done with lots of prayer and seeking God’s will. 🙂 For St. Pedro Calungsod though, as our family saint, we talked about it with the kids. Tim was the one who suggested him. 🙂 We thought he was perfect for our family goals this year, i.e. to be more involved in the Church’s missionary activities.
Hope this helps somehow! God bless! 🙂