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12 Labors of Lent WORKSHEET:

1. Prayerfully decide on a person (can be a family or couple) to pray for. Remember youare making a 40 day commitment of labor to this person, so choose wisely andcarefully!It is best to not prayer for something in particular as it may not be what is best for

the person (ie: for a girl and boy to get back together). Keep the intention general.When that has been discerned, commit to the person by writing down the name.

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2. Think of the things you can do for this person and their benefit. Think of easy thingsand move up to more difficult. Dont make it too easy but also dont come up withmonumental tasks that are not feasible. Try to balance them in the 3 categories ofprayer, fasting and almsgiving.a .Prayer is the spiritual component that is directly related to the care of the soul. It

is not a mental or physical exercise although body and mind are engaged. Think ofthings you WANT to do instead of the things you feel you SHOULD do.b. Fasting are the things that affect the body. Most times it is deprivation but geared

toward disciplining the appetites. Again, think of the things you WANT or NEED to dorather than things you may feel FORCED to do.c. Almsgiving is the action of giving to be free of possessions that are in abundanceand have become maybe an obstacle in your life. Think also of things that you cangive that youve been either selfish with or irrationally afraid of giving.

3. When you have decided on some things, list them in order of possibilities ofcompleting by the end of Lent. Then score down to 12 of them. List those 12.

1.2.3.4.5.

6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

4. Write the 12 labors down on a sticky note or piece of paper and keep it with yoor put it in a place

that you can see it regularly as a reminder. Put the persons name down on thesheet to remember who this is for.

5. The list can be a reminder or you may want to carry something around like a cross orstone in your pocket to remember the person. You may want to wear a cross every dayin Lent as a reminder or some other memento of the special labors you are taking on.

6. At the end of Lent, compose a note or letter. Here is an example:

Dear.During these 40 days of Lent, I have done for your intentions and the goodof your soul. I have found great pleasure in serving you in this way and hope that the

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graces of this season of penance bring you only good.God bless,

THE TWELVE LABORS OF LENT

The myths tell of Hercules being driven mad by the forces of evil and as an offeringfor his sin, he was to complete 12 tasks to receive the grace of the gods again. Thelabors are: 1. To kill the Nemean lion. 2. To destroy the Lernaean Hydra. 3. Tocapture the Ceryneian Hind.4. To capture the Erymanthian Boar. 5. To clean theAugean Stables. 6. To kill the Stymphalian Birds. 7. To capture the Cretan Bull. 8.To round up the Mares of Diomedes. 9. To steal the Girdle of Hippolyte. 10. To herd

the Cattle of Geryon. 11. To fetch the Apples of Hesperides. 12. To captureCerberus.

Lent sets aside 40 days for us to atone for our sins. We are called to labor

as well: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.

Fr. Joes 12 labors of Lent:

1. Find someone to pray for.

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a. Someone you love and care for who has particularneeds (sick, in crisis, etc)

b. Someone you love and enjoy thinking aboutc. Someone you care for or admire but dont think often

enough aboutd. Someone you have grown distant from but desirereconciliation with

2. Come up with 12 labors that you can reasonably carry outduring the 40 days of Lent for that persons intention orbenefit. The labors, if possible, should cover 3 categories:

a. Prayer (Spiritual): ex: Spiritual reading, learning aprayer, attending Mass, Adoration, Rosary, Retreat, Biblestudy, Spiritual direction, Confession

b. Fasting (Physical): ex: Fast day a week, a fast day inthe month, giving up certain foods, abstaining frompleasure foods/drinks, semi-fast days, vegetable diet c.Almsgiving (Social): ex: giving money to a goodChristian/Catholic cause, making commitment to goodinvestment, paying off debts, giving of self to charity orhealth cause, attend to broken relationships, visit hospital orsick

3. After youve decided on 12 labors, write them down on achecklist.

4. Pray over the list and promise that youll do the labors foryour intention.

5. During Lent, make every effort to DILIGENTLY carry outeach labor. No shortcuts, no blowing it off. Remember eachtime youre doing something, that youre doing it FORsomeone elses good. You may carry something around toremember the intention ( a pocket cross, wear a cross, etc)

6. After Lent is over (Holy Thursday), write the person youwere laboring for and tell them what you did for theirbenefit. You may include the things you hoped to do and didnot and commit to doing them as soon as possible

7. Prepare to feel redeemed!