Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Right Around the Corner

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes

We receive ashes because they are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

To go along with these practices of penance during lent, we Catholics have also been taught that we should make an examination of conscience every day before we retire for the evening. And lent is a great time to get into the habit of examining our consciences for the next 40 days along with prayer and fasting so that we can put it into practice the rest of the year.

This year we need to focus our prayers to fight abortion and to offer up our sufferings to God in reparation for the sins of those who promote abortion, starting with the Catholic pro-choice politicians and pray that they will not be enacting the FOCA bill that will destroy a lot of freedoms along with the unborn.

So, to overcome our failings during lent, we must know them. We must do a daily check of our service to God so that we begin to know what we must watch, in order to root out of our lives imperfect or sinful habits. Below are some suggestions.

• Have I tried to live this day mindful of the presence of God?
• Have I tried in all things to do His will?
• Have I murmured or been impatient with the reverses or the difficulties I have met?
• Have I been guilty of any act or word contrary to truth, honesty or purity?
• Have I given way to pride, envy or hatred?
• Have I spoken of the faults of others?
• Have I hurt anyone's feelings by my words or actions?
• Have I encouraged those who were speaking of the faults of others?
• Have I been seriously trying today to lead a holy life - by avoiding sin, loving God, and being concerned for all with whom I come in contact?
• Do I live selfishly, as though the people with whom I come in contact did not matter to me?
• Am I concerned over the salvation of the souls of those around me?
• Am I willing to inconvenience myself to help others?
• Am I kind only to my friends, or do I help also my enemies?

Here is a nice Act of Contrition we can pray each day as well. It's a little different than the usual one we say at Confession.

ACT OF CONTRITION

Have mercy on me, according to Thy great mercy. Behold, I am deeply sorry for all my sins, because I have deserved to be punished by Thee, the all-knowing and just Judge, in this life and in the life to come, but much more because I have offended and grieved Thee, the most high and most loveable Good.

And according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquities. Cast me not away from thy face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. I am firmly resolved never to offend Thee again. Help me with Thy grace. O Jesus, for Thee I live; O Jesus, for Thee I die; O Jesus, I am Thine in life and death. Amen!

Lent Draws Near

It seems like we fly through the Church seasons. We barely finish with Advent, and then it's the Christmas season for a few weeks. A little over a month later, Ash Wednesday is upon us and then it's 7 weeks of Lent, then the Easter Triudum, then eight weeks for the Easter season until Pentecost. I always look forward to these seasons because sometimes I think ordinary time gets to be a tad boring. It's fun to see the Church decorated for each event and it always seems to bring new life into our Churches.

I know you've seen these before, but here is a refresher on the guildelines for fast and abstinence during Lent. Ash Wednesday falls on February 22 this year, with Easter falling on April 9.

ABSTINENCE: Abstinence is a penitential practice consisting of refraining from the consumption of meat and is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. Pastors and parents are encouraged to see that children who are not bound by the obligation to fast and abstain are led to appreciate an authentic sense of penance.

FAST & ABSTINENCE: In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years (inclusive). On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition.