Lent, Holy Week, and Easter

Lent is a period of spiritual "combat," which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the Word of God and penance. In this way, we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.

- Pope Benedict XVI

The Season of Lent typically begins in February or March and concludes with the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday). The season lasts 40 days to represent the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his public ministry.

Lent has three pillars: Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer. We are called to fast to limit our consumption and practice moderation. We are called to give alms to serve the needy and less fortunate. We are called to pray for others and to draw closer to Christ. Often, people will "give up" a bad habit, certain foods or drinks, or try and implement a good habit or practice in their lives during Lent.

During Lent, we also focus on our repentance and how our sins affect our relationship with God and others. Like Jesus in the desert, we are always tempted by the devil. It's important to seek out the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ask for God's forgiveness. Through confession, we renew and cleanse our soul and ready ourselves to receive Jesus into our hearts.

The day before the start of the Season of Lent is referred to as Mardi Gras Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday. On this day, it's tradition in the Catholic faith to celebrate with a pancake supper before beginning a contemplative and fasting period during Lent.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics and Christians receive ashes in the form of a cross on their forehead as a reminder of our beginning and end. The priest or minister will say, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation; however, for practicing Catholics, ages 14 to 59, Ash Wednesday is a Day of Fasting and Abstinence. That means a person can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal to a full meal. Meals also cannot contain meat. Additionally, on Fridays during Lent, Catholics abstain from eating meat. 

During Lent, we offer certain opportunities, such as:

• Extended confession times
• Stations of the Cross (Fridays during Lent)
• Soup Supper (Fridays during Lent/hosted by different ministries)
• Knights of Columbus Fish Fry
• Almsgiving Weekend (Food collection for local charities)

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and concludes on Easter Sunday. It is a period of intense reflection on the life, death, passion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palms are blessed and distributed during Mass. Sometimes these palms are collected, burned, and used as ashes for next year's Ash Wednesday.

The Paschal Triduum begins the evening of Holy Thursday and concludes the evening of Easter Sunday. On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which is a reminder of Christ's Institution of the Holy Eucharist with the breaking and sharing of his Body (bread) and Blood (wine) at the Last Supper. In addition, on Holy Thursday, the priest washes the feet of 12 individuals (representing the 12 apostles) as a symbol of the service and charity of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve.

On Good Friday, we recall Christ's passion and death on the Cross for our sins and the salvation of the world. There is no Mass on Good Friday, however, we offer a Good Friday Service and Veneration of the Cross. Good Friday is also a day of abstinence and fasting.

On Holy Saturday, we wait patiently for Christ's Resurrection. In the evening, we celebrate Easter Vigil Mass. At the start of the Mass, people carry and hold candles in a dark-lit church as a symbol of Christ's light overcoming the darkness of the tomb. Candles are lit from the Paschal candle symbolizing new life. The Mass is longer and often has several readings starting from the beginning of the Bible with the Book of Genesis. Those in the RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), who have completed their preparation, will often receive their sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass and enter as full members of the Catholic Church. 

On Resurrection Day, Christ is risen! Alleluia! We celebrate Jesus' triumphant return and his victory over sin and death. We are reminded of the importance of hope, faith, and trust in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!