Lenten Regulations

Praying, fasting and almsgiving are the three longstanding, biblical practices during the season of Lent. We begin with the Ash Wednesday reading from Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18, wherein Jesus is making a clear exhortation to his disciples to focus on what is essential.

Prayer

It is through prayer that the Christian enters into dialogue with a loving and merciful God. During the Lenten season, it is commendable to use all of the pathways of prayer that are available through our rich spiritual Catholic heritage. Regardless of the style or method of prayer, Catholics are encouraged to take up the challenge anew, to take the extra time to seek growth and depth through prayer. We are blessed with many on-line resources to accomplish this. We may want to focus more intensely on The Liturgy of the Hours (the prayer for all Christians), on the psalms in general, the Stations of the Cross, The Most Holy Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or the reading of a spiritual master who can serve as a guide to prayer. If it is available, adoration is highly commendable, and pastors can offer special opportunities for Exposition and Benediction during the Lenten season.

Fasting (& Abstinence)

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection. (USCCB). Fasting and abstaining help the Christian enter into the sacrificial way of life that is shaped by Christ crucified.

Almsgiving

Throughout the Gospels Jesus encourages his followers to consider the poor, the sick and the downtrodden with attention and care. The response of a generous heart will be rewarded at the Final Judgment (Matthew 25). As Catholics, we have many well-organized charitable organizations, from those featured throughout the year in the special national collections, to St. Vincent de Paul Societies, and local food banks and missions for the homeless. During the Lenten season, we are called to become aware of the needs of those around us who are less fortunate, and then to respond in concrete acts of generosity and almsgiving.