...and from the Quad Parish Communities
"Welcome Home"
The word “Lent” comes from Old English through Middle English to modern
English. Looking at its’ origin, “lent” is a shortening of the word
“lengthen”, used to describe the increasing amount of daylight each day.
It was used to describe the harbinger of spring and new life.
When we think of spring, we often think of sap running in trees, buds
opening, green grass, tulips and daffodils popping out of the ground and
we also think of spring cleaning. Lent is a time for spiritual
spring cleaning. We clean out the clutter that has accumulated
in our lives and our hearts, to make more room for God and one another.
We are asked to do this through the Lenten practices of prayer,
fasting and almsgiving.
Prayer
Prayer is described as the raising of the mind and heart to God or
conversing with God. Lent is a time to make a conscious daily effort to
pray more and with greater regularity.
Almsgiving
Almsgiving is much more than giving money to the poor or to your
favorite charity. It is all the things we can do to make the broken
world whole again. The aim of giving alms is to right the wrong
distribution caused by greed or power or whatever else. The three modes
of giving alms are: time, talent, and treasure.
Fasting
Fasting is making do with less food. The result of not eating so much
and getting hungry is that we have a heightened sense of awareness. When
we eat too much, we have a sluggish feeling. When we fast, we are more
alert and open to the activities of God in our life. Fasting cleanses
our bodies and prepares us to pray more deeply.
(Text c Art Zannoni,
2010. Used with permission)
Fasting Guidelines for Lent
Abstinence:
Catholics
age 14 and older abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and
all the Fridays of Lent.
Fasting:
Ages 18-59 fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, limiting themselves to
one full meal and two small meals each day, if necessary, but no solid
foods between meals.