Lenten Regulations Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year until the beginning of their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have completed their 14th year of age. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare to share more fully and celebrate more readily his Resurrection. Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year. As always, anyone for whom fasting or abstinence would pose a health risk is excused.
Archbishop Broglio has dispensed anyone in combat from the obligation of fast and abstinence. Because no one, however, can be dispensed from Lenten penance, all those in combat are encouraged to use their hardships as penance.
“Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depth of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.” - Pope Benedict XVI
Opportunities in Lent Here are a few things we hope you do in place of those activities in which we usually participate in during Lent.
- We have the Little Black Books, a Lenten devotional, available in the vestibule of the Prairies Chapel to enhance your 40 days of reflection.
- Stations of the Cross on EWTN. The Stations of the Cross will be broadcast each Friday during Lent on the EWTN network at 7:00am, 2:30pm, and a Way of the Cross for Kids at 4:00pm. Fr Moss recommends the Stations of the Cross on EWTN. - At Simply Catholic, you can find an article titled “10 Tips for Making the Lenten Season More Meaningful.” It’s a short and simple list. 1. Slow down. Set aside 10 minutes a day for silent prayer or meditation. It will revitalize your body and your spirit.
2. Read a good book. You could choose the life of a saint, a spiritual how-to, an inspirational book or one of the pope’s new books.
3. Be kind. Go out of your way to do something nice for someone else every day.
4. Get involved. Attend a Lenten lecture or spiritual program.
5. Volunteer at your parish. Whether it’s the parish fish fry, cleaning the church or helping with the food drive. It will give you a chance to help others.
6. Reach out. Invite an inactive Catholic to come with you to Stations of the Cross, Confession, or Mass anytime during Lent.
7. Pray. Especially for people you don’t like and for people who don’t like you.
8. Tune out. Turn off the television (or other electronics) and spend quality time talking with family members or friends.
9. Clean out closets. Donate gently used items to the St Vincent de Paul Society.
10. Donate. Pick a Catholic mission and decide how you can help by sending money, clothing, or supplies. - Lenten Journal. The chapel has put together a Lenten Journal that you can use individually, with your spouse, and with your family. It gives you the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice and love of the Savior. I have attached the journal for you.