I love using a calendar template for Lent because it gives me a one-day-at-a-time, concrete, manageable way to have a daily practice for the 40 (or 46) days before Easter. If you like more space than a piece of 8 1/2″ x11″ paper affords, go to a copy store or print shop and expand the template to 11″x17″.

Here are some ways to use the calendar:
1) Pray for someone each day. Write a name, doodle around it, pray with words or in silence as you draw.
2) Choose a word from the Daily Lectionary or other reading and write it in the space for the day. Pray the word. Meditate on it. Spend time with it as you draw. Let it tell you about itself. Let God reveal something new to you about the word.
3) Write a word you associate with Lent–sin, forgiveness, journey, palms, Jesus, salvation, crucifixion,…. Meditate on it. Spend time with it as you draw. Listen to what the what can tell you about itself. Let God reveal something new to you about the word.
4) Just doodle or draw in the space without words. Keep silence and listen for the “still small voice of God.”
5) Write one of the different names for God each day and pray/meditate on the name.
6) Write one of your character defects or “sins” in the space each day. Offer it up to God; ask for help and forgiveness. Very Lenten!

Here are the templates. Click on the WORD below the picture to download. When you see the template in Google Drive, click on the downward facing arrow to download. Thanks to Hilary Ann Golden for her Spiral template.

……..Hexagons .jpg                Spiral .pdf                      Box .jpg                       Path .jpg
……..Hexagons. pdf                Spiral. jpg                      Box .doc

Here are some examples of finished calendars from previous years.