LENTEN REGULATIONS

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.  Catholics between the ages of 18-59 are obliged to abstain from meat and fast on these days by not eating between meals, consuming only one full meal a day and two small meals “sufficient to maintain strength”.  The two small meals should not equal the amount of food consumed in the full meal.

 

Catholics 14 years old and older are obliged to abstain from meat on the Fridays  during Lent.  Present law does not include milk or egg products under the category of meat.

 

The observance of the laws of fast and abstinence during lent is a serious obligation. The individual conscience can decide if there is proper cause to excuse, however a more serious reason should be present to excuse from observing the laws of fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday   Those whose work or health would be impaired are excused from fasting and abstaining.

 

Other forms of penance, such as acts of self-denial and works of charity and piety are appropriate as penitential acts.  Fasting on other weekdays of Lent is recommended as well.

 

“Since every sin is an offense against God that disrupts our friendship with him”, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged during the season of Lent.  This gift is offered to the faithful so that they may “obtain from God’s mercy pardon for having offended him and at the same time reconciliation with the Church , which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, example, and prayer seeks their conversion.” (Rites, Vol I  page 528).  Pastors should provide adequate time for the faithful to receive the sacrament of penance prior to Easter.  You will be receiving a copy of an examination of conscience through the mail in your Mission Letter to help prepare for Lenten confession opportunities.

 

Funeral Masses are not allowed during the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday).  However, the Funeral Rite Outside of Mass can be held in church during these days with a celebration of a Funeral Mass later. It is usually preferred to have the funeral after Easter Sunday in this case as there is a lot of practices, setting up of the churches and other necessary preparations filling up these 3 days.

 

Flowers are not permitted in church during Lent except for Laetare Sunday (the 4^th Sunday of Lent – rose colored vestments are used) for that day alone. Flowers may be used for funerals but must be removed immediately after the funeral and do be distributed elsewhere.

 

The Gloria is not to be sung during Lent and the word Alleluia (or Halleluja) may not be used in the Gospel Acclamation or any hymn during lent.  Instrumental music should only be used to support singing. Periods of quiet prayer are appropriate.  Easter hymns are not permitted until Easter Sunday.

 

OPERATION RICE BOWL: Extra cardboard rice bowls to put your lenten sacrifices in, to be sent in at the end of lent to help feed the poor, are found in the entry of the churches. Some of the parishes gave them to the children in their education classes. If you did not get one just use any container to drop in what you saved from fasting, giving up smoking, or other sacrifices to  help those in need.

 

THERE WILL BE A SECOND COLLECTION NEXT SUNDAY FOR AID TO THE CHURCH IN EASTERN EUROPE .  The 50 to 70 years of Communism and official atheism has divistated the church in Eastern Europe . Masses could not be said or only in secret. The children could not be educated except under peril of imprisonment or persecution. Many churches were destroyed, many are in need of serious repair, schools, colleges, seminaries, monastaries and convents were closed. The whole system needs rebuilding. Please be generous with your faith to rebuild the faith of these good people who suffered so much for Christ.- Fr. Bob