By refraining from Facebook, I was able to follow the message set out by Christ. I had more time to focus on the things and people that bring love, hope, faith and forgiveness in my life. I enjoyed quality time with loved ones and spent more time in reflection and prayer.

My Friday nights during Lent consisted of going to Mass where we would recreate the Stations of the Cross, along with attending practices for my parish’s re-enactment of Christ’s Passion, which we were to perform on Good Friday. This faithful devotion gave me a chance to experience a deep gratitude for God’s love.

As Catholics, the Church strongly recommends that we all go for reconciliation so that we may cleanse our souls and be absolved from our sins. This is especially important during the Holy Triduum — the three days from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.

Going to Confession has always been one of my biggest fears. How does the priest remain so calm after listening to my sins and the sins of other people? Talking to the priest helped me to truly understand God’s forgiveness for our sins. While many of us find it difficult to forgive someone when they have done wrong, God will never turn His back on us. He knows that none of us are perfect. His love for us is unconditional. My penance was to put a smile on somebody’s face each day. By just doing this I could live in love, hope, faith and forgiveness.

We are surrounded by materialistic things in life and when they no longer play a role, we learn and get accustomed to living without them. We realize that social networking, money and all the luxuries we have are not needed to fill our hearts. The most important thing in our lives is finding God. Preparing for Easter, through Lent, helps us to do this. Just as Jesus faced many temptations in the desert, so do we in our everyday lives. Our ability to turn away from these temptations brings us closer to Christ.

(D’Souza, 17, is a Grade 12 student at Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School in Toronto.)