The season of Lent begins this year on Ash Wednesday, February 26th, and ends prior to the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9th, when the Easter Triduum begins. Lent is the principal penitential season of the Church year. All the Christian faithful are urged to develop and maintain a voluntary program of self-denial (in addition to the Lenten regulations which follow), serious prayer (addition of daily Mass when and if possible, Scripture reading, Stations of the Cross, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, etc.), and the performing of deeds of charity and mercy, including the giving of alms (increased attention to the needs of our brothers and sisters).
Lenten Regulations
Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, each Friday in Lent, and on Good Friday. Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, in addition to abstaining from meat, should fast, i.e., eat only one full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Small quantities of food may be taken at two other meals but no food should be consumed at any other time during those two days. Liquids do not break the fast and nourishment needed for special needs (such as illness or pregnancy) should always be taken. The obligation of fasting ceases with the celebration of one’s 59th birthday.
Lenten Prayer
Mass Schedule
The Weekday Mass schedule during Lent is as follows:
Monday through Friday – 7:00am, 12:05pm, and 5:15pm; Saturday – 8:00am
Sunday Mass times during Lent are as follows:
Saturdays – 4:00pm; Sundays – 7:00am, 10:00am, and 5:00pm
Reconciliation
The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered daily in the Cathedral church:
Monday through Friday – 4:15pm to 5:00pm
Saturdays – 9:00am to 10:00am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Sundays – 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Stations of the Cross
Take the time to walk the Stations of the Cross, the final steps Jesus took to Calvary, each Friday during Lent immediately following the 5:15pm Mass
Lenten Almsgiving Collections
In following our past practice of almsgiving during Lent, a second collection will be taken up each Sunday. Collections this year will be as follows: Ash Wednesday, February 26th – Church in Eastern Europe; March 1st – St. Martin de Porres Center; March 8th – Catholic Charities; March 15th – Helping Hands of Springfield; March 22nd – Catholic Relief Services; March 29th – The Pregnancy Care Center; April 5th – Cathedral Parish Student Assistance for Catholic Education
Easter Triduum Schedule
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 6:30pm
The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday – 3:00pm
The Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday Night – 8:00pm
Easter Sunday Masses – 7:00am and 10:00am
Stations of the Cross will also be held at 12:05pm on Good Friday, and the sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered after the 3:00pm Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday.
More Lenten resources can be found throughout this issue of the Weekly, as well as on the inserts provided. Please continue to watch the Cathedral Weekly and Cathedral website (www.spicathedral.org) throughout this Lenten season for additional resources.