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LENT

 What is Lent?

“Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. For the Lenten liturgy disposes both catechumens and the faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery: catechumens, through the several stages of Christian initiation; the faithful through reminders of their own baptism and through penitential practices.” (General Norms 27)

During this season of Lent the suffering and sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ is contemplated in order to grow and renew our faith in preparation for the Day of Our Lord's Resurrection. 

 

 

 

When is Lent?

Our Lenten journey of preparation began with the sign of the cross in ash being placed on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the forty-day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Mar 2) and ends on Holy Thursday (April 14). This time leads us directly to the Sacred Triduum which are the three holy days before Easter: Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. Lent is a special penitential time we spend preparing our hearts and our minds for the Day of Our Lord's Resurrection, known as Easter.

For a brief history of Lent by Fr. John A. Hardon, click here.

 

 

How do we celebrate Lent?

Catholic traditional doctrine calls for repentance, penance, and a turning away from sin, in order to remain on the narrow path, return to God, and be saved (Jer. 18:11, 25:5; Ez. 18:30, 33:11-15; Joel 2:12; Mt. 3:2; Mt. 4:17; Acts 2:38). Christ Himself said that His disciples would fast once He had departed (Lk. 5:35). The general law of penance, therefore, is part of the law of God for man. 

During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to practice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this reflection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2446).

In Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

The key to fruitful observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

 

Remember, Renew, and Return to God

On these pages, you will find a variety of suggestions and resources to help you "raise up," "sacrifice," and "offer" during this Lent and to embrace your baptismal commitment.

Catholics are also encouraged to make going to confession a significant part of their spiritual lives during Lent.  The U.S. Bishops' statement, "God's Gift of Forgiveness: The Pastoral Exhortation on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation" can be distributed and shared in parishes.  Dioceses are encouraged to make the sacrament available often during Lent and to use these resources to promote participation.  We also have resources to help individuals who have not been to confession in a while "rediscover" the sacrament.

 

LENTEN RESOURCES: