Lenten Resources

M i n i s t r y D a y 2 0 0 8

On this page:
Lenten Regulations
Las reglas cuaresmales para este año son las siguientes
Reflections on Lent
Related Web sites
Reflections on Lent from 2007 (but still excellent reflections for us in 2008)
Prayer and Sacramental Services in Parishes

Again we keep this solemn fast,
a gift of faith from ages past,
This Lent which binds us lovingly
To faith and hope and charity.

More sparing, therefore, let us make,
The words we speak, the food we take,
Our sleep, our laughter, every sense;
Learn peace through holy penitence.

– Peter Mazar

Lenten Regulations:

Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all the Fridays of Lent. 

Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59.  Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal.  Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. 

The special Paschal fast and abstinence are prescribed for Good Friday and encouraged for Holy Saturday.

By the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the evening of Holy Thursday.  All of the faithful and the catechumens should undertake the serious practice of these three traditions.  Failure to observe penitential days totally or a substantial number of such days must be considered serious.

Pregnant women, those with serious illness, and those younger or older than the appointed ages are exempt from strict fasting and abstinence. They should be encouraged, however, to eat and drink simply and as can be safely tolerated, in keeping with the idea of penance.

Our US Bishops issued in 1966 this statement on penitential observance: "On Weekdays of Lent, we strongly recommend participation in daily Mass and self-imposed observances of fasting. In light of grave human needs which weigh on the Christian conscience in all seasons, we urge particularly during Lent, generosity to local, national and world programs of sharing of all things needed to translate our duty to penance into a means of implementing the right of the poor to their part of our abundance."

Las reglas cuaresmales para este año son las siguientes:

Abstinencia : Todos los católicos mayores de 14 años, deben abstenerse de comer carne el Miércoles de Ceniza y todos los viernes de Cuaresma.

El Ayuno debe ser observado el Miércoles de Ceniza por todos los católicos que han cumplido los dieciocho (18) años pero no han llegado a los cincuenta y nueve (59). Estas personas sólo pueden hacer una comida completa, y dos comidas pequeñas si son necesarias para mantener las fuerzas, de acuerdo a las necesidades individuales, pero no se permite alimento sólido entre las comidas.

El ayuno y abstinencia Pascual especial son mandado el Viernes Santo y ecomendado el Sábado santo.

“La Cuaresma es una preparación de la Pascua. La liturgia prepara a los catecúmenos para la celebración del misterio pascual a través de las varias etapas de iniciación cristian; también prepara a los fieles, quienes recuerdan sus propios bautismos y hacen penitencia en preparación para la Pascua.”

(Normas Generales sobre el Año Litúrgico #27)

Por la tripe disciplina del ayuno, la limosna, y la oración, la Iglesia celebra la Cuaresma desde el Miércoles de Ceniza hasta la noche del Jueves Santo. Todos los fieles y los catecúmenos deben practicar seriamente estas tres tradiciones. Un descuido en observer días individuales de penitencia no se considera serio, pero no observare ningún día penitencial o un número substancial de tales días, debe ser considerado serio. 

“Los días entre semana de la Cuaresma, recomendamos vigorosamente la participación en la misa diaria y un ayuno por su propia cuenta. Debido a las graves necesidades humanas que pesan a la conciencia cristiana en todos las temporados, les urgimos, particularmente durante la Cuaresma, generosidad a los programas locales, nacionales, y mundiales de compartir bienes materiales. Es necesario para traducir nuestro deber de hacer penitencia a un modo de implementar el derecho de los pobres a su debida parte de nuestra abundancia.”

(Declaración de los Obispos Estadounidenses sobre practices penitenciales, 1966.)

Reflections on Lent:

“Experiencing the Season of Lent” by Virginia Meagher, Office for Worship

“As a Body is One” by David H. Springer, Chair, Diocesan Liturgical Commission

“The Baptismal Font and the Lenten Environment” by Rev. J. Philip Horrigan, Archdiocese of Chicago

“Liturgy Preparation: A Working Model” by D. Todd Williamson, Archdiocese of Chicago

Related Web Sites

1. www.sacredspace.ie/
   The Jesuits created this site some years ago and it has grown in depth and inspiration over the years. Go here for daily inspiration during Lent. You are able to access short prayers, or longer reflections depending on time available.
   
2. www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/
   Lent: Call to Conversion, a site with daily meditations and many book reviews, Lenten devotions such as Stations of the Cross, a Thought for the Week and Sunday Sound bites.
   
3. www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/
   Praying Lent from Creighton University. This site has weekly audio conversations as well as a new feature “When time permits, only one, brief prayer a say”. This site also has Lenten audio retreats by Fr. Larry Gollick, SJ.
   
4. To find good reading material, use this web site: www.ltp.org
   
5. Another web site with many resources as well as books and official publications, this site is sponsored by our US Bishops: www.usccb.org/liturgy/lenteaster.shtml This web site also has Pope John Paul’s homilies for Leant and Easter from 2000 – 2004.
   
6. For creative ideas to use with the family in praying through Lent, go to:
   www.archspm.org/family/lr_res_ap_least.html
   
7. www.usccbpublishing.org
   The official website of the US Catholic Bishops, this has many resources to offer, including links to “Operation Rice Bowl” and to help in deepening our understanding of our call to “Faithful Citizenship”. These and many other specific ideas are offered for Lenten reflection.
   
8. www.silk.net/RelEd/lent.htm
   Lent Resources for Catholic teachers and parents
   
9. www.catholicmom.com/lent.htm
   This is a site specifically addressing mothers and gives numerous resources for your own Lenten journey as well as help to guide your children
   
10. http://www.worship.ca/easter.html
    Lift up your Hearts: Lent, Holy Week and Easter Resources This is an ecumenical website with many linked resources.
11. http://www.crs.org
    Catholic Relief Services - promotes the Lenten practice of Operation Rice Bowl (http://orb.crs.org/)

Reflections on Lent from 2007 (but still excellent reflections for us in 2008):

1. “How do we Keep Lent?” by Msgr. John Armistead
   

   Why Do We Pray?

2. Reflections on Lent by Fr. Dean McFalls
   
   A. Lent: Preparing again to Celebrate Our Salvation

   B. Fasting: A Grace-full Way to Freedom

   C. Lent: A Time to Get Back on Track (This was originally written for the Manteca Bulletin)

   D. A Little Laugh (A bit of humor helps…)

3. Fr. Harmon Skillin uses the unique image of the garden to explore the meaning of Lent.
   
4. Fr. Quinn offers a Lenten Homily
   
5. Deacon Mike Wofford - Who is Invited to the Table?
   
6. An Empty Place at the Table
   Rev. Mike. Walsh, CM
   Sacred Heart Church , Patterson
   

Prayer and Sacramental Services in Parishes

Northern Parishes:

St. Luke’s in Stockton

Southern Parishes:

Mother Lode Parishes:

St. Patrick’s in Angels Camp

Last Update February 15, 2008