Season of Lent

LENT is a pilgrimage which Christ personally invites us to make. This journey is not just for a few hours of carrying ashes on our foreheads, but rather an invitation to follow Jesus more closely.  This invitation is to a journey of discovery, a journey that Christ has already made. To seriously enter Lent is to face two significant realities. First, we will encounter the ministry, sacrifice and resurrection Jesus undertook for us.       Second, we are invited to face ourselves. This journey is no place for falsehood. During Lent we are guided by the Spirit of God to look at things that ultimately matter and to leave in the ashes those things blocking our full participation in the life God is giving us.  Explore the opportunities our parish is offering during Lent. In particular, I encourage you to consider participating in weekday Mass and confession.  

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. 

For this penitential season, the Church draws on the wisdom of the Scriptures and tradition in suggesting a time of intense prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
 
Abstinence: On days of abstinence eating of meat is not allowed.  Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent.  Catholics are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended, as is abstinence from meat on all Fridays of the year. 
 
Fasting: On a day of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal the other full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are permitted.  The obligation of fasting binds Catholics who are 18 - 59 years old.  The obligation of abstinence applies to those 14 years and older. The law does not oblige when health or ability to work would be seriously affected.

HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!