2. Some History
By the 4th century, Lent developed as
a 40-day season, drawing from three
practices of the early Church:
• A two-day period of fasting
before Easter that was eventually
lengthened to 40 days;
• A period of intense preparation
for the Sacraments of Initiation;
• The Order of Penitents, for those
already baptized who had fallen
into serious sin.
3. Penance & Baptism
As we prepare for new members to celebrate
initiation at Easter, all members are called to do
penance in preparation for renewing their own
baptismal promises.
4. The details
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on
Holy Thursday prior to the Mass of the Lord’s
Supper.
Lent is 40 days (the counting does not include
Sundays) recalling Jesus’ 40 days in the desert.
Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy
Saturday) is the three-day season between Lent and
Easter.
During Lent, Catholics are called to pray, fast and
give alms.
5. Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the official start of Lent.
All who are baptized and preparing for Baptism are welcome
to receive ashes on their foreheads
Ashes are made by burning dried palms from the previous
years’ Palm Sundays.
Ashes are generally distributed following the homily.
As you approach the minister, he/she will make the Sign of
the Cross on your forehead, saying either of these:
Remember you are dust and to dust you will return…
Repent (Turn away from sin) and believe in the Gospel…
6. Ash Wednesday
They are a sign of penance (sackcloth and ashes)
Ashes remind us of our own mortality: we will
someday die to this life, and in order to be prepared
for heaven we must die to sin in order to rise to new
life in Christ.
7. Ash Wednesday
Masses/prayer services include these
Scriptures
Prophet Joel talks about rending hearts, not our
garments and return to the LORD
2 Corinthians: Now is an acceptable time for salvation
Matthew: do not let your right hand know what the left
is doing
At OLP – Masses are at 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
and
7 p.m. (bilingual)
9. Prayer
Giving more time to prayer draws us closer to God.
Some suggestions:
• Stations of the Cross
A devotional prayer which follows the journey of Christ to the Cross
Fridays, 7 p.m. in the Church (20-30 minutes)
• Adoration
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays in the St. Ann Chapel, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
• Prayer Resources
Available at Church exits and in the Mulligan Room today.
• Scripture Reading
Spending time reading and meditating on the Gospels.
• Daily Mass
10. Fasting
Fasting helps us hunger for God.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast (one full
meal, and two other meals that equal a full meal with no snacking.
Liquids are permitted) and abstinence (no meat)
Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence (no meat)
Binding for those between the ages of 14 and 60 who are
physically able to adhere to the regulations.
Exceptions for illness, chronic diseases such as diabetes,
pregnant or nursing mothers. Common sense should
prevail in following regulations.
Fasting helps us hunger for God.
Some people choose to fast from other things (or add
positive actions) during Lent as a prayerful discipline.
11. Almsgiving
In giving of our time, talent and treasure to the poor,
we show our care for those in need and express our
gratitude for all God has given to us.
OLP Blessing Boxes support our scholarship program
for young people in our sister community in El
Salvador.
Lent Fish Fry (on Friday evenings) support our youth
who travel for mission work during the summer
months.
