On Ash Wednesday, 14 February, we once again begin the penitential season of Lent with the imposition of ashes on our foreheads as a stark reminder of our mortality and need for on-going conversion. The Church invites us to embrace the traditional Lenten practices of prayer fasting and almsgiving to turn away from sin and selfishness and prepare our hearts for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Our Lord’s saving passion, death and resurrection.
Ash Wednesday begins the time year for the solemn observance of the great central act of history, the redemption of the human race by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The beginning of the forty days of penance is marked with the symbol of ashes which is used in today’s liturgy. The use of ashes is a survival from an ancient rite according to which converted sinners submitted themselves to canonical penance. The Alleluia and the Gloria are suppressed until Easter. “The putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolize that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent”. — Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy
Confession Times during Lent
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday 11:00 am
Wednesday (except Ash Wednesday) 12:30 pm & 6:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am & 4:00 pm
Please consult the bulletin for additional Confession times during Lent.
Click this link for an Examination of Conscience & Act of Contrition.
An Examination of Conscience Booklet is also available to pick up in the Cathedral.
Lenten Observances of Fasting and Abstinence
Fast: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast.
On days of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two lesser meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. Catholics who have completed their 18th year are bound by this law until the beginning of their 60th year.
Abstinence: Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent are also days of abstinence. On days of abstinence, meats should not be taken at any meal. The law of abstinence binds all Catholics who have completed their 14th year.
#1 of the Seven Habits to Holiness – the Morning Offering:
Plan your Lent with this helpful worksheet:
SONGS FOR LENT: Daily Reflections on the Psalms
Ash Wednesday, which begins the penitential season of Lent, is on Wednesday, February 14. For the 11th year, St. Mary of the Annunciation parishioner Betsy Cahill will be offering “Songs for Lent,” daily reflections on a psalm verse or verses from the daily lectionary, enhanced with images and music, a link to the readings, and a prayer. This year, the reflections will loosely explore what the Psalms can teach us about prayer.
If you wish to subscribe, or if you have friends who may be interested, the sign-up form may be accessed through a link by CLICKING HERE
Reflections will begin on Ash Wednesday and go through Holy Saturday. There will be no reflection offered on Sundays. If you have further questions, you may reach Betsy at betsy@betsycahill.com
