Lent
Next
Wednesday, February 17th, is Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent.
“By the
solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of
Jesus in the desert” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 540) – to his fasting,
prayer and overcoming the devil’s temptations.
There is
evidence back to the Second Century that since the time of the Apostles some
form of Lenten observance was followed by the Church in different forms in
different locations, always including prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The
observance probably had become standardized by the Fourth Century because the
Council of Nicea in 325 refers to “the 40 days of Lent,” indicating it was
universal by then.
Pope St.
Gregory the Great (c. 540-640 AD) is credited with giving us the Ash Wednesday
ceremony where the priest or other minister (typically, but not this year) marks
the penitent’s forehead with ashes to remind us of the Biblical symbol of
repentance (sackcloth and ashes) and mortality (“You are dust, and to dust you
will return” Gen. 3:19). But this year, because of the continuing Covid-19 epidemic,
and in order to avoid physical contact, the more ancient form of sprinkling
ashes on top of the penitent’s head will be done instead of touching the
forehead with the sign of the cross.
The 40 days
of Lent initially denoted the number of fasting days before Easter, which
exclude Sundays. Today the number of required fasting days is only two, but the
40 days for this penitential season remains.
During
Lent, Christians are to fast, pray, and give alms (acts of charity) “which
express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others” (Catechism,
1434). The Church requires Catholics to fast (ages 18 through 59) and abstain
from meat (age 14 and older) on Ash Wednesday (February 17) and Holy Friday
(April 2), and to abstain from meat (age 14 and older) on all Fridays of Lent.
This is minimal. Anyone desiring to put God first will do more, and so many
other customs and practices have developed such as giving up something extra during
Lent (one or more small sacrifices for the Lord), making the Stations of the
Cross (a devotional remembrance of Christ carrying his cross and his
crucifixion) (if we are not allowed back inside the church, you can still make
them at home), attending weekday Mass, taking extra time for personal prayer
and spiritual reading or devotional reading the Bible, and especially for making
a good confession. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is located in California City, CA. Visit our website at ollcalcity.org.