Firstly, an extract from the message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2020:
In this Lent of 2020, I would like to share with every Christian what I wrote to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit: “Keep your eyes fixed on the out-stretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved over and over again. And when you go to confess your sins, believe firmly in his mercy which frees you of your guilt. Contemplate his blood poured out with such great love, and let yourself be cleansed by it. In this way, you can be re-born ever anew” (No. 123). Jesus’ Pasch is not a past event; rather, through the power of the Holy Spirit it is ever present, enabling us to see and touch with faith the flesh of Christ in those who suffer.
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP FOR LENT?
Many of us will be asked this question over the next few days but instead of giving the reply of ‘chocolate’ or ‘alcohol’ how about embracing the pope’s wish that we do more to care for our environment?
- Go vegetarian two days a week.
- Have two car free days a week.
- Reduce the time you have the shower running.
- Don’t keep the tap running whilst you are brushing your teeth.
- Stop buying bottled water
- Take your own cup into the coffee shop
I am sure that you can come up with your own ideas.
FRIDAY PENANCE
Every Friday is set aside as a special day of penitence as it is the day of the suffering and death of the Lord. Our bishops believe that it is important for us all to be united in a common identifiable act of Friday penitence. Church law requires that Catholics abstain from meat or some other form of food and that this is accompanied by prayer.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season Lent which for us all is a time of penitence and preparation for the Paschal Mystery.
During Lent we do not have flowers in the church and musical instruments are used only to support the singing in church. (Laetare Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent is an exception to this and is also known as Mothering Sunday)
The word alleluia will not be said in church until Christ has risen.
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