Fasting isn’t always about food. There are many things in our lives that draws us away from God’s love. By fasting, we can grow in gratitude for what we have and be more aware of how it impacts our lives. Please consider taking one day off a week with your fast. If it brings you peace and joy, consider fasting for more than one day.

OR, instead of giving up something, you can do something. It is a less “Me-Centered” and more “We-Centered” way of living out Lent.

One day a week. No email, not streaming, no social media – total internet blackout. Spend the extra time you have with friends, family, or for personal care. Experience God’s presence in the space between the noise.

Fast from criticizing people. Instead, pray for the person and find something that you can compliment the person about.
Judgment – Fast from judging others. Take a moment to put yourself in the shoes of the other person. Instead of judging, what can you do to know the person better?

One day a week. No Facebook, Instagram, Discord, TikToc… total social media blackout. Spend the extra time you have with friends, family, or for personal care. Experience God’s presence in the space between the noise.

One day a week. No streaming services – Tik Tok, YouTube, Netflix, Disney… total video blackout. Spend the extra time you have with friends, family, or for personal care. Experience God’s presence in the space between the noise.

One day a week. Turn off your phone completely. Let yourself be untethered from this electronic leash. Spend the extra time you have with friends, family, or for personal care. Experience God’s presence in the space between the noise.

Refrain from buying things for yourself. How you can reuse or repurpose what you have. Declutter, live more simply. Think about giving the money you save to charity.

Reach out to one or two people you haven’t talked to in a while, each week. Ask how they’re doing and spend a few minutes catching up.

Greet three strangers each week. Ask how they’re doing and really pay attention to what they have to say.

Take time to compliment three people each week. Tell them how you appreciate them and what they did that deserved your compliment.

Each week, write a letter to someone who is serving time in prison. Email the letter to Alex Phan, SJ (aphan@catholicucsd.org) to be forwarded to a prison inmate.