Alas, we have reached #40 in our quest to post 40 ideas/activities in 40 days for the Lenten season! Recall that we began this process on Feb. 23, the Monday before Ash Wednesday, which explains why we have already reached 40 even though the 40 days of Lent are not yet over!

Along the way, a number of catechists weighed in with contributions of their own and this final day is no exception. I’m pleased to share the following activity with you from a catechist named Greg in my home state of Illinois! Thanks, Greg!

A Holy Week Gift Box

Hi Joe,

I teach my last class before Easter this week on Palm Sunday afternoon (to my 7th graders).

I would love to leave each of my students with something as both a “gift” and a daily devotional idea for each day of Holy Week since we won’t be seeing each other.

My idea is to take a gift box (cube shape….they are cheap enough at the craft stores) and put an idea on each face of the box for each day (Monday through Saturday) of Holy Week. They will have a message also on the box not to open the box until Easter Sunday. The inside of the box will likely have a simple votive candle and I think I am going to put in a personalized card (that I can cut and paste off the internet) with the religious (or Saint) meaning behind the name of each of my students as well as a plastic egg with something each student can do to carry on the spirit of Lent (got the plastic egg idea from you).

For the 6 faces of the box, Thursday, Friday and Saturday are obvious. Do you have any suggestions for Holy Week that I can put for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? Any other suggestions to enhance this idea would be greatly appreciated. <I suggested to Greg that he look to the Scripture readings for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week to draw symbols from. -joe>