This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 22. Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting for many Christians. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of preparation and fasting before Easter. Unlike Christmas, Ash Wednesday and Easter do not fall on a fixed date.
What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period from Ash Wednesday and before Easter. It is marked by praying, fasting, abstinence, and other acts of penance.
⇒ During this time, a fast in terms of abstinence from food, is defined by one meal a day, and two smaller meals which if added together would not exceed one full meal.
⇒ Abstinence is defined as refraining from eating meat. Meat is considered to be the flesh and organs of mammals and fowl.
⇒ Days of abstinence include Ash Wednesday, All Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday.
⇒ Catholics from age 14 upwards are mandated to participate. However, the sick are excused from fasting.
⇒ Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are essential to Lent. Please be generous to Catholic charities. Try to go out without luxuries during the 40 days. Save them for Easter.
⇒ Remember that Sundays are not included in the 40 days, and Solemnities and Feasts are also not fasting days.
⇒ Read a spiritual book day-by-day during Lent.
⇒ Read a passage from one of the Gospel each day. Click Here to read the daily Mass Reading
⇒ Recite the Rosary every day.
⇒ Come to Mass during the Week, not just on Sundays.
⇒ Make the Stations of the Cross.
⇒ Make a daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament.
⇒ COme to the extra services and devotions provided.
⇒ Make an effort to do something extra (and good).
⇒ Above all, ask God for the help you need to make a good Confession before Easter.
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