Lent is a 40-day penitential season that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. During Lent, we, the faithful is called to cultivate their relationship with God through prayer and Scripture reading; to give to the poor any way we can; and to detach themselves from worldly distractions through fasting. They are called to rediscover the Mass and to come back to the Sacrament of Penance. It is also a special time when we welcome the new members of the Church who have prepared themselves for Baptism through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Catholics who are 14 and older are obliged to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. Further, all persons between the age of 18 and 59, are required to fast by only having 1 full meal and 2 light meals on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday,
However, pregnant or nursing women and persons with physical or mental illness are exempted from fasting. It is important to remember that people who suffer from any illnesses should not do anything to endanger their health by fasting.
ASH WEDNESDAY – February 26, 2020
Ash Wednesday is on February 26, 2020. Ashes will be distributed after the homily at the 8:00am, 9:00am, and 7:00pm Tri-lingual Mass.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The ashes that we receive on our foreheads serve as reminder that we are sinners and that we need to repent from our sins and live our lives according to the Gospel. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Catholics of certain age are required to fast and abstain from meat.
MONDAYS
Mass, 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration, after the 8:00 AM Mass until the 7:00 PM Mass Angelus, 12 noon Benediction, 12:05 pm Confessions, 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm, 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm, after the 7:00 pm Mass
FRIDAYS
Stations of the Cross
English, 12 noon in the Chapel
Spanish, 7 pm in the Chapel
Vietnamese, 7 pm in the Lower Church
FORGIVEN – The Transforming Power of Confession
There are two ways to participate in the program this Lent:
DVD program
Fridays in Lent, after the English Stations of the Cross in the Rectory 1st floor meeting room.
