PRAYER
Stations of the Cross
An ages-old devotion recalling the last day of Jesus' earthly life, from his condemnation to his death and burial.
Eucharistic Adoration
The Body of Christ is placed upon the altar so the faithful may come and spend time in quiet prayer with the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is about "returning to the Lord," by admitting our tendency to stray from his love and guidance, and asking for pardon and peace from our very merciful God.
Daily Masses
Daily Masses are offered four days a week; however, during Lent there is an extra Mass offered on Friday evening, so people who work during the day might have a chance to come to the altar of God's mercy during the week.
Holy Triduum
The Holy Triduum is the most sacred time of our Church year. It consists of: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday / Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. During these days we celebrate the central Mysteries of Faith.
FASTING
(From the US Catholic Bishops' website)
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence from meat 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.
A Reflection on Lenten Fasting
ALMSGIVING
(From the US Catholic Bishops' website)
The foundational call of Christians to charity is a frequent theme of the Gospels. During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on "almsgiving," which means donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity. As one of the three pillars of Lenten practice, almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462).
Good Friday Holy Land Collection