Lenten Penances: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving
In the Christian tradition, Lent is a period of letting go of idols that hold us back from becoming whom we yearn to be.
The 40 days of Lent mirror the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert praying and fasting in preparation for his public ministry. It's a sacred time to prepare for rebirth in the joy of our own resurrection.
Often monasteries do a silent retreat to start Lent.
During this time, they use the ancient Lenten spiritual framework of "prayer, fasting, and almsgiving" to set specific goals for transformation during Lent.