Lent and Penance

The season of Lent begins on Wednesday March 2nd, 2022. During Lent, the Church encourages that penance is to be considered an important requirement of the Christian Life. Fulfillment of this requirement involves prayer, works of piety and charity, and self-denial by fulfilline one's obligations more faithfully, and especially by observing the prescribed fast and abstinence.

There are some forms of penance that are considered privileges and they are recommended during Lent because they are based on the teachings of the gospels (fasting, almsgiving, prayer, works of mercy) or because of their traditional value among the people of God (for example, abstinence from meat).

Why fast?
"Christian fasting obtains its full meaning when we deprive ourselves of food in order to be more open for prayer, to share more in the suffering of those who are starving, and to save money to give to the poor. Fasting among Christians is a penitential discipline intended to open our hearts to God and others, a means of purification and spiritual liberation, a witness to the depth of our faith?"
(Guidelines for Pastoral Liturgy, Note 29, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Fasting involves eating leass than normal portions on certain days throughout the season especially Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It can also mean "giving up" something we particularly enjoy, such as desserts, candy, or potato chips. IT reminds us that "we hunger for God to fill us."

Did you know?
All Fridays of the year are days of abstinence from meat, but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity of piety on this day. During Lent, the faithful are encouraged to observe this penitential discipline more faithfully. The law of abstinence from meat binds those who are 14 years old and older; the law of fasting (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday) binds those from 18 to 59 years of age.

ASH WEDNESDAY and GOOD FRIDAY are days of fasting and abstinence from meat. You are encouraged to make these two days, ones of true penance.