Religion

Mrs. Harrison

All About Lent

Lent – 40 Day period in the church year set aside for spiritual preparation for Easter. It is a time of renewal and penance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 2/13 and lasts until evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. Holy Week is Palm Sunday to Easter Vigil.

Traditional Lenten Practices

• Fasting – limiting the number of daily meals. Church law requires fasting on Ash Wed. and Good Friday.
• Abstinence – not eating certain foods. Abstinence from meat is required on Fridays.
• Self Denial – foregoing an important pleasure or limiting personal desires. Should be done for a good cause, not for its own sake.
• Good Deeds
• Almsgiving – giving to charity
• Prayer and Reflection

Some thoughts on choosing a penance and on observing Lent effectively:

• Set realistic goals – plan carefully before Lent begins. Don’t attempt more than you can carry out.
• Choose helpful penances – Make your sacrifices meaningful ones that help others.
• Examine your attitude – be positive and remember to make time for God.
• Be honest – choose a penance that really costs you effort, and then strive to carry it out with a selfless spirit.
• Observe Lent as a family – Pray together. Read and discuss scripture together. Attend church together.
• Observe Lent as a community – Find out ahead of time when your parish’s Lenten services will be held. Attend Mass and devotions such as Stations of the Cross as often as possible.

Many web sites are available.

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/
http://www.loyolapress.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3L3c23MfC0

or just Google “ practices for Lent” or “lent”

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• February 22, 2013

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