March Religion Lessons: Engage Students in Faith this Spring

March is an exciting time in the Church calendar—it’s Lent, which means plenty of opportunities for deep reflection, prayer, and (let’s be real) trying to give up soda for the 15th time. It’s also packed with some amazing feast days, powerful Scripture lessons, and many ways to help students grow in their faith. If you’re looking for some engaging March Religion Lessons that will keep students learning, here are 10 great ideas!

1. Lent and Holy Preparation – The Spiritual Spring Cleaning We All Need

March is prime Lenten territory, which means it’s time to help students start strong on their Lenten journey. With Ash Wednesday kicking off the season, they might be deciding what to give up, what to take on, or just trying to remember why we do all this in the first place. Encourage them to set realistic, meaningful commitments—prayer that deepens their faith, fasting that truly refocuses their hearts, and giving that makes a difference. Remind them that Lent isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about daily choices to grow closer to God, one step at a time.

This is the perfect chance to teach about:

An Overview of All Things Lent: I remember in high school, I still struggled to remember whether it was Lent or Advent—and what exactly we were supposed to do for each. Even if you expect your students to be pros, it’s always helpful to review the basics. This skit covers all the essential information while throwing in some extra interesting tidbits, so even those students who think they know ALL THE THINGS will stay engaged.
Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – Why we do them and how they help us grow. These reading comprehension packets make those lessons easy.
Tracking Lenten sacrifices – Have students write or draw their Lenten journey to reflect on their progress. These Lent Sacrifice trackers are a way to let students choose their design and keep track of the 40 days.

March is an exciting time in the Church calendar—it’s Lent, which means plenty of opportunities for deep reflection, prayer, and (let’s be real) trying to give up soda for the 15th time. It’s also packed with some amazing feast days, powerful Scripture lessons, and many ways to help students grow in their faith. If you’re looking for some engaging March Religion Lessons that will keep students learning, here are 10 great ideas!

Remind them: Lent isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. God isn’t keeping score on who avoided sweets the longest. It’s about getting closer to Him!

2. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy – Faith in Action

Since Lent is all about loving God and others, it’s a great time to teach students how to help people in real, practical ways. This season is perfect for turning faith into action with March Religion Lessons.

Fun activities:

Make a Mercy Challenge – Have students complete one act of mercy each week, like helping a classmate or donating to a charity. Share experiences at the end of the week.
Match the works to Bible stories – Connect the corporal and spiritual works of mercy to Bible stories. For example, “Feed the hungry” and the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000.
Brainstorm service projects – Ask students how they can make a difference in your school or parish. Whether it’s a food drive or helping the elderly, find ways to serve together.

These activities help students live out Lent by loving and serving others, strengthening their faith along the way.

Bring the Story of the Annunciation to Life with This Engaging Reading Comprehension Packet!

Help students understand the Solemnity of the Annunciation and its importance in the Catholic faith with this interactive reading resource.

This packet explores the moment when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, announcing that she would become the mother of Jesus.

With three leveled passages and thought-provoking questions, students will reflect on the meaning of the Feast of the Annunciation and how Mary's "yes" to God changed the world.

What’s Included:

✝️ Three Leveled Passages – Read the story of the Annunciation at upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels to meet the needs of all students.

✝️ 10 Multiple-Choice Questions – Test comprehension with engaging, text-based questions.

✝️ 10 Discussion Questions – Encourage deeper thinking and class discussions about faith, trust, and God’s plan.

✝️ Mini-Poster Activity – Students can illustrate a key moment from the Annunciation and express their understanding creatively.

3. The Annunciation (March 25) – Mary’s Big “Yes”

Imagine you’re a teenager, minding your own business, and an angel shows up and says, “You’re going to be the mother of the Son of God.” That’s next-level shocking. But instead of freaking out, Mary responds with complete trust in God.

Ways to make this lesson memorable:

Read & Discuss: Get this Reading Comprehension packet and have students read, then discuss and make posters for an easy bulletin board.
Write a modern-day version – What would Mary’s “yes” look like if it happened today?
Talk about saying YES to God – How can we be open to His plans in our own lives?

Mary’s “yes” changed the world. What if ours could, too?

4. Saints to Highlight in March Religion Lessons

March is packed with great saints! Here are a few to focus on, with links to Reading Comprehension Packets and coloring pages that make is SO EASY to teach about the Saints!

Saint Katharine Drexel (March 3) – Teach about her dedication to education and service to marginalized communities. She used her wealth to build schools and fight for justice for Native American and African American communities.
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity (March 7) – Share the story of these courageous martyrs who remained steadfast in their faith, even in the face of death. Their example of friendship and bravery can inspire students to stand up for their beliefs.
Saint Dominic Savio (March 9) – Highlight the importance of living a life of holiness even at a young age. Dominic’s joyful commitment to God, even in his teenage years, teaches that faith isn’t about age—it’s about heart.
Saint Joseph (March 19) – Discuss his role as the foster father of Jesus and a model of faith and humility. His quiet strength and obedience to God’s will make him a perfect example for students to follow in their daily lives.
Saint Oscar Romero (March 24) – Share his story of standing up for justice and the poor in El Salvador. Saint Romero’s powerful witness to fighting for human dignity, even in the face of danger, can inspire students to act with compassion and courage.
The Annunciation (March 25) – A perfect time to teach about Mary’s “yes” to God and how we can trust in His plan. Mary’s willingness to accept God’s call is a beautiful example of faith, humility, and trust that can deepen students’ own understanding of discipleship.

4. Saints to Highlight in March Religion Lessons

March is packed with great saints! Here are a few to focus on, with links to Reading Comprehension Packets and coloring pages that make is SO EASY to teach about the Saints!

Saint Katharine Drexel (March 3) – Teach about her dedication to education and service to marginalized communities. She used her wealth to build schools and fight for justice for Native American and African American communities.

Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity (March 7) – Share the story of these courageous martyrs who remained steadfast in their faith, even in the face of death. Their example of friendship and bravery can inspire students to stand up for their beliefs.

Saint Dominic Savio (March 9) – Highlight the importance of living a life of holiness even at a young age. Dominic’s joyful commitment to God, even in his teenage years, teaches that faith isn’t about age—it’s about heart.

Saint Joseph (March 19) – Discuss his role as the foster father of Jesus and a model of faith and humility. His quiet strength and obedience to God’s will make him a perfect example for students to follow in their daily lives.

Saint Oscar Romero (March 24) – Share his story of standing up for justice and the poor in El Salvador. Saint Romero’s powerful witness to fighting for human dignity, even in the face of danger, can inspire students to act with compassion and courage.

The Annunciation (March 25) – A perfect time to teach about Mary’s “yes” to God and how we can trust in His plan. Mary’s willingness to accept God’s call is a beautiful example of faith, humility, and trust that can deepen students’ own understanding of discipleship.

5. Spring and New Life – A Spiritual Makeover in March Religion Lessons

March marks the beginning of spring—a season of renewal in nature, and a perfect time to reflect on spiritual growth. Just like flowers bloom, our faith can experience a fresh start during Lent.

Discussion ideas:

Baptism and rebirth – How does our faith give us a fresh start? Discuss baptism as a spiritual rebirth and how Lent offers a chance to renew our relationship with God.
Spring cleaning for the soul – What’s one habit or attitude we can “clean out” this Lent? Encourage students to reflect on something they can let go of to make space for spiritual growth.
Lenten gardens – Have students create a garden with symbols of faith. Use simple materials to represent virtues or spiritual goals they want to nurture during Lent, like prayer, charity, or kindness.
Faith is always growing—just like the world around us! – Just as plants need care to grow, so does our faith. Encourage students to see Lent as a time to nurture and strengthen their relationship with God.