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FEB-MAR 2024 | DENVER CATHOLIC 42 LE NT This Lent, be renewed as a couple BY VLADIMIR MAURICIO-PEREZ Editor of El Pueblo Católico As Christians, there's no doubt that every day is a battle to rid ourselves of the old and put on the new out of love for God and neighbor. But we are weak and often neglectful. Thankfully, the Church gives us the season of Lent to do this more attentively and decisively. And while one must certainly focus on obtaining freedom from one's own attachments, it is also a fitting time for couples, whether married or discerning marriage, to build habits that will help them to grow in virtue as a couple, which in turn will be invaluable as they raise their current or future family. For this reason, strengthening our prayer life, detaching ourselves from certain practices and giving of ourselves to help those in need are practices worth doing together during Lent. Here are a few ideas that can help couples accomplish this: P R AY TO G E T H E R E V E RY DAY It is essential to develop a habit of prayer as a couple. Christ is what sustains a marriage and leads it to become what it is called to be. Committing to daily prayer, even if it's just for a few minutes, will be important in discerning marriage, preparing for it and sustaining it. This res- olution will also help you keep each other accountable and ensure you are putting Christ at the center. The prayer can be spontaneous or some- thing structured, like the Rosary, a novena, or the daily Gospel reading. W E E K LY H O LY H O U R In marriage, it really takes three: the husband, the wife and Jesus. Spending time with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is a great way to foster a couple's relationship with Christ, and it is transforming. It helps us appreciate and better prepare for Holy Communion, that moment in which Christ becomes united with our bodies and souls to strengthen and transform us. Making time for Eucharistic Adoration as a couple can be a source of abundant grace for marriage and discernment. What better way to open yourselves to God's voice and guidance than to be with him face to face? Are you able to do more than one holy hour a week together? Go for it.