What are your training goals for the Lenten season?
Father Mike Schmitz appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend to speak with Catholic host Rachel Campos-Duffy. He discussed several topics, including spirituality in America, statistics regarding Christianity in young adults, and, of course, the upcoming Lenten season, which begins on March 5, 2025.
Father Mike is a host on Ascension Presents and the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Duluth, Minn.
Rachel Campos-Duffy asked Father Mike Schmitz how Catholics can prepare themselves before Ash Wednesday to make the most of the Lenten season.
The popular social media priest and speaker explained that Catholics can become holier during Lent through the lens of “training” or a “Jesus bootcamp.”
He first explains the concept of asceticism, or ascetic practices.
“I was digging in deeply to the word asceticism. Asceticism comes from a Greek word, askēsis, which means training,” he begins. “What if my mentality was this lens that I'm going to train?”
Father Mike then suggests setting a goal for the Lenten season.
Sometimes, we walk into Lent without a goal, without a vision,” he explains. “At the end of this Lent, how can you and I look a little bit more like Christ?”He then encourages viewers to reflect on the training method the individual hopes to pursue.
Father Mike Schmitz provides these Lenten goals and/or reflection questions as examples:
1) How does my heart look like Christ? Do I spend time with Jesus in prayer? If I pray, my heart will become like Jesus.
2) I will make these resolutions: I will look someone in the eye when I speak to them and listen to them.
3) How can I eliminate distractions? For example, social media?