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About The Joyous Season of Lent
Ash Wednesday is February 14, 2023 and Lent lasts until Holy Thursday, March 28, 2023
Lent is a season of the Church that begins on Ash Wednesday, and concludes the Wednesday before Holy Thursday which begins the Triduum (the three days – The Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday evening, Good Friday, Easter Vigil on Saturday, and Easter Sunday). During this time, Catholics and some other Christian denominations prepare themselves for Easter, the day that the Church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.Including Ash Wednesday, the Lenten season lasts 46 days. However, only 40 of those days are prescribed days for traditional Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The number 40 is significant because it recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert (Mt 4.1-11) before beginning his public ministry. Similarly, these Lenten practices are “tried and true” methods that can help shape our lives as Catholic Christians, so that the Lenten experience leads us to growth not only for 40 days but for our whole lives (from Pope Francis’ Homily at Basilica of Santa Sabina, 5 March 2014):
Prayer is the strength of the Christian and of every person who believes. Lent is a time of prayer, of more intense prayer, more prolonged, more assiduous, more able to take on the needs of the brethren; intercessory prayer, to intercede before God for the many situations of poverty and suffering.
Fasting makes sense if it questions our security, and if it also leads to some benefit for others, if it helps us to cultivate the style of the Good Samaritan, who bends down to his brother in need and takes care of him. Fasting helps us attune our hearts to the essential and to sharing. It is a sign of awareness and responsibility in the face of injustice, abuse, especially to the poor and little ones, and it is a sign of the trust we place in God and in his providence.
Almsgiving points to giving freely, for in almsgiving one gives something to someone from whom one does not expect to receive anything in return. Gratuitousness should be one of the characteristics of the Christian, who aware of having received everything from God gratuitously, that is, without any merit of his own, learns to give to others freely. (Read the full text here)
Helpful Resources:
Just a few things you and your parishioners can read, listen to, watch, do this lent.
To Read
- 5 Books to Read This Lent - Book List - Detroit Catholic
- Best Lent Ever - Daily Emails - Dynamic Catholic
To Listen To
- Lent With Your Littles - Podcast - Detroit Catholic
- Living Lent - Podcast - Detroit Catholic
- Songs to Pray With this Lent - Spotify Playlist - Detroit Catholic
- Lent Songs for Kids - YouTube Playlist - Catholic Kids Media
- Bible in a Year or Catechism in a Year - Podcast - Ascension Press
To Watch or Do
- Lenten Activities for Kids - Loyola Press
- Lent Videos for Adults and Families - Formed
- Lent on the Hallow App - 30 days free
More Resources:
- Click here for Tips for Family Prayer
- Lent in Three Minutes – (video)
- Where is Lent in the Bible (video)
- Holy Week in Three Minutes (video)
- Franciscan Media article - The Many Customs of Lent: For information on Ash Wednesday, fasting, going to Confession, etc.
- 4 Reasons for Fasting (video)
What are our Lenten Obervances?
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.
- “To fast” means eating two small meals and one regular meal, with no food in-between meals. The law of fasting binds all those who are between 18 to 59 years of age. Parents, pastors, teachers, and all who accompany younger people in their faith lives can help young children grow in their understanding of the meaning and practice of Lenten traditions.
- “Abstinence” from meat is also required on these two days, and Fridays during Lent. Fish is an accepted alternative. This law applies to all who are 14 years of age and older. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and persons with particular medical conditions may be dispensed from these laws.
Ash Wednesday
This year, Shrove Tuesday, also known as "Fat Tuesday" or in French "Mardi Gras" is traditionally our chance to use up rich foods and fats in anticipation of the beginning of Lent the next day. Ash Wednesday is a holy day of penance, fasting and abstinence for Catholics.
Lent is a liturgical season during which we prepare
ourselves to celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ by drawing closer to him through good works, repentance, prayer, and fasting.