FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Instruction before the Celebration
At the start of the celebration, the commentator says
Good morning/afternoon/evening, brothers and sisters.
Today/tonight is the First Sunday of Lent.

Our presider for this celebration is Fr. N.
Let us all stand and unite our hearts, minds and voices as we begin our celebration.

INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance
After the people have assembled, accompanied by a song, the presider and the ministers walk towards the sanctuary, reverence the altar and go to their places.

If there is no song, the antiphon is said

Psalm 90: 15-16

When he calls to me, I will answer; I will rescue him and give him honor. Long life and contentment will be his.

Everyone remains standing and makes the sign of the cross, as the presider says
In the name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
The people answer
Amen.

Greeting
Then, the presider, facing the people, extends his hands and greets all present with
The Lord be with you.
The people answer
And also with you.

Introduction to the Celebration
The presider or deacon or other suitable minister may very briefly introduce the Mass of the day in these words
As we begin the holy season of Lent – this spiritual journey that prepares and leads us to share in Christ's suffering and death and his eventual glory in the resurrection, we hear the story of Christ's forty-day spiritual preparation in the desert where the devil tempted him. Temptation is always around us – we are tempted to do wrong to fill our needs, to get power in society or workplace, to have a comfortable life and all the pleasures of wealth and popularity. But temptation is always a moment of grace – an opportunity to choose good over evil. Jesus' rejection of his temptation for personal gain manifests his faith in the Father, something we should also have so that we too may reject the many temptations we encounter and go on with the mission God entrusted to us. This season of lent, we are given forty-days to prepare our selves by journeying with Christ to his cross and resurrection bringing with us prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Act of Penitence
The priest invites the people to recall their sins to repent of them in silence with
As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s love,
let us acknowledge our failures
and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
Please kneel.
After the silence, the presider leads the people in saying the Confiteor
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do; and I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord, our God.
The presider then says
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
The people answer
Amen.

Kyrie
The presider says Lord, have mercy.
The people answer Lord, have mercy.
The presider says Christ, have mercy.
The people answer Christ, have mercy.
The presider says Lord, have mercy.
The people answer Lord, have mercy.

The commentator says
Please stand.

Opening Prayer
The presider, with hands joined, sings or says:
Let us pray.
Everyone pray silently for a while. Then, the presider extends his hands and says or sings
Father, through our observance of Lent, help us to understand the meaning of your Son’s death and resurrection, and teach us to reflect it in our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
or
Lord our God, you formed man from the clay of the earth and breathed into him the spirit of life, but he turned away from your face and sinned. In this time of repentance, we call out for your mercy. Bring us back to you and to the life your Son won for us by his death on the cross, for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.
The people respond
Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD
Introduction to Reading I
The commentator says
God is gracious to his people, which is why we should turn to him and not give in to temptation, for he is our savior and our provider.

Reading I Dt 26:4-10
The lector proceeds with the proclamation.
A reading from the book of Deuteronomy.
A short pause follows. Then, the lector continues with the reading.
Moses spoke to the people, saying:
“The priest shall receive the basket from you
and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God.
Then you shall declare before the Lord, your God,
‘My father was a wandering Aramean
who went down to Egypt with a small household and lived there as an alien.
But there he became a nation
great, strong, and numerous.
When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us, imposing hard labor upon us,
we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers,
and he heard our cry
and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.
He brought us out of Egypt
with his strong hand and outstretched arm,
with terrifying power, with signs and wonders;
and bringing us into this country,
he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.
Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits
of the products of the soil
which you, O LORD, have given me.’
And having set them before the Lord, your God,
you shall bow down in his presence.
A short pause follows. Then, the Lector ends the reading with
The Word of the Lord.
The people answer
Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
The lector says
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
All say
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
The lector says
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress,
my God in whom I trust.”
All say
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
The lector says
No evil shall befall you,
nor shall affliction come near your tent,
For to his angels he has given command about you,
that they guard you in all your ways.
All say
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
The lector says
Upon their hands they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;
you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
All say
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.
The lector says
Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him.
All say
Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.

Introduction to Reading II
The commentator says
We are saved with God’s grace and our choice to resist and reject sin when we are tempted.

Reading II Rm 10:8-13
The Lector proceeds with the proclamation.
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
A short pause follows. Then, the lector continues with the reading.
Brothers and sisters:
What does Scripture say?
The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart,
that is, the word of faith that we preach,
for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
For the Scripture says,
No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
A short pause follows. Then, the Lector ends the reading with
The Word of the Lord.
The people answer
Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation
The commentator signals the people for the gospel
Let us honor the Holy Gospel.
The music ministry leads the people in singing the appropriate song. The priest/deacon carries the Gospel Book to the Ambo.

Gospel Lk 4:1-13
The deacon/priest says or sings
The Lord be with you.
The people answer
And also with you.
The deacon/priest says or sings
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke.
The people answer
Glory to you, Lord.
All make the gospel sign. If incense is used, the proclaimer incenses the book of gospels.
The gospel is proclaimed.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,
to be tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing during those days,
and when they were over he was hungry.
The devil said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered him,
“It is written, One does not live on bread alone.”
Then he took him up and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.
The devil said to him,
“I shall give to you all this power and glory;
for it has been handed over to me,
and I may give it to whomever I wish.
All this will be yours, if you worship me.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“It is written:
You shall worship the Lord, your God,
and him alone shall you serve.”
Then he led him to Jerusalem,
made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him,
“If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, for it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,
and:
With their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“It also says,
You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
When the devil had finished every temptation,
he departed from him for a time.
A short pause follows. The deacon/priest ends the proclamation with
The Gospel of the Lord.
The people answer
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily
The presider or the homilist gives the homily.

Profession of Faith
The presider from the chair initiates the common recitation of the creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful
The presider gives a brief introduction, then invites the people to pray.
My brothers and sisters, we should pray at all times, but especially during this season of Lent: we should faithfully keep watch with Christ and pray to our Father, let us say: LORD, HAVE MERCY.
The intentions are proclaimed by a deacon, lector or some members of the faithful from the ambo.

1. That Christians everywhere may be responsive to the Word of God during this holy season, we pray to the Lord:
2. That people everywhere may work for peace to make these days the acceptable time of God’s help and salvation, we pray to the Lord:
3. That all who have sinned and grown lukewarm may turn to God again during this time of reconciliation, we pray to the Lord:
4. That we, as individuals and as a community, may learn to repent and turn away from sin with all our hearts, we pray to the Lord:
5. That our community may take this opportunity during the season of Lent to be reconciled to the Father, let us pray,

After the intentions, the presider says the concluding prayer.
Lord, may your people turn again to you and serve you with all their hearts. With confidence we have asked your help: may we now know your mercy and love in our lives. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The people respond
Amen.

Panalangin ng Bayan
Aanyayahan ng tagapamuno ang lahat na manalangin
Mga kapatid, nararapat na manalangin tayo nang tuwina, lalo pa ngayong panahon ng kuwaresma: may pananalig tayong makiisa kay Kristo at manalangin sa ating Ama, sabihin natin: PANGINOON, KAAWAAN MO KAMI.
Ipahahayag ang mga luhog mula sa Ambo.

1. Upang maging bukas ang lahat ng Kristiyano sa Salita ng Diyos ngayong banal na panahon ng kuwaresma, manalangin tayo:
2. Upang magsikap ang lahat para sa kapayapaan, para ang mga araw na ito ay maging katanggap-tanggap na panahon para sa tulong at kaligtasan mula sa Diyos, manalangin tayo.
3. Upang ang lahat ng nagkasala at naging malayo sa Diyos ay magkusang magsisi at magbalik-loob sa kanya, manalangin tayo:
4. Upang matutunan nating pagsisihan at talikuran ang kasalanan nang buong puso at diwa, manalangin tayo:
5. Upang ang ating pamayanan ay magsikap ngayong panahon ng Kuwaresma upang makipagkasundo sa Ama, manalangin tayo.

Pagkatapos ng mga luhog, sasabihin ng tagapamuno.
Panginoon, magbalik-loob nawa ang iyong bayan sa iyo at paglingkuran ka nang buong puso. Lakas-loob kaming humihingi ng iyong tulong: Makita nawa namin ang iyong habag at pag-ibig sa aming buhay. Hinihiling namin ito sa pamamagitan ni Kristong aming Panginoon.
Tutugon ang lahat
Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Prayer over the Gifts
Standing at the center of the altar, facing the people, the presider extends and then joins his hands, saying
Pray, brethren*,
that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
The people respond
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of all His Church.
With hands extended, the presider says
Lord, make us worthy to bring you these gifts. May this sacrifice help to change our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
The people answer
Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface for First Sunday of Lent - Temptation
Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I

Communion Rite

Communion
If there is no song, the antiphon is said

Mt 4:4

Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Ps 90:4

The Lord will overshadow you, and you will find refuge under his wings.

Prayer after Communion
Then, standing at the chair or at the altar, the presider says or sings
Let us pray.
Everyone prays in silence for a while. Then, the presider extends his hands and sings or says
Father, you increase our faith and hope, you deepen our love in this communion. Help us to live by your words and to seek Christ, our bread of life, who is Lord for ever and ever.
The people respond
Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE
Greeting
Facing the people, the presider extends his hands and sings or says
The Lord be with you.
The people answer
And also with you.

Solemn Blessing
The deacon/presider says
Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.
The presider extends his hands over the people while he says:
The Father of mercies has given us an example of unselfish love in the sufferings of his only Son. Through your service of God and neighbor may you receive his countless blessings.
The people answer
Amen.
The presider extends his hands over the people while he says:
You believe that by his dying Christ destroyed death for ever. May he give you everlasting life.
The people answer
Amen.
The presider extends his hands over the people while he says:
He humbled himself for our sakes. May you follow his example and share his resurrection.
The people answer
Amen.

Blessing
The presider blesses the people with these words
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
The people answer
Amen.

Dismissal
The deacon or presider says
Go in peace.
The people answer
Thanks be to God.

Liturgy Preparation Aid for Lent

Given that Lent is a season of preparation for Easter, a certain difference should be seen, heard and felt in the church. We are setting aside the usual festivity of decorations, color and music so that we could focus on preparing ourselves through intensifying prayer, meditating on the Word of God and fasting to clear our minds. Moreover, we should emphasize not just the personal but also communal aspect of penance during Lent.

Liturgical Environment

The sanctuary should not be decorated with flowers. As much as possible, the sanctuary should be left as it is so that we can focus on the tables of the Word and the Eucharist as opposed to having other things to look at. The point is to remove what could distract us. We should also avoid decorating the niches for images/statues with flowers.

Floral decorations, however, may be placed in the sanctuary during the Solemnities of St. Joseph (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25) and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.

Before the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the parish may opt to cover images and the cross with violet or black cloth. If the cross is to be covered, the processional cross may serve as the altar cross.

Liturgical Color

Violet is used for the Season of Lent. Lenten Violet is different from that used in Advent. Lenten Violet is more reddish than bluish while that of Advent looks bluish. Violet accents may be used to decorate the church but the decoration must be arranged in such a way that they do not distract from the purpose of the season.

White is used in Solemnities and Feasts within Lent, namely, the Chair of Peter (feast), St. Joseph (solemnity) and the Annunciation (solemnity).

Pastoral Notes

To highlight the communal and penitential aspect of the season, parishes may opt to kneel during the Act of Penitence and the first form (Confiteor + Kyrie) may always be used. Another option would be to remind the faithful of their baptism using the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling Holy Water (instead of the Act of Penitence) but there must be catechism whenever this is used as the Sprinkling of Holy Water acquired other meanings in the course of time. It is also recommended that any of the two Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation be used. They may be found towards the last part of the Sacramentary.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. In the readings, we are called not just as individuals but as a community to return to God with fasting, mourning and weeping, with sacrifice (Reading I) and reconciling with God now (Reading II) for we have sinned and he is merciful (Responsorial Psalm). In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to us on how to pray, fast and do righteous deeds.

The Act of Penitence is omitted. Ashes are imposed within the Mass after the Homily. If done outside the Mass, it should be within a Celebration of the Word of God. Simply imposing the ashes without the person hearing the Word of God makes the ritual an empty gesture. It is not proper to impose ashes on latecomers. They should be made to attend a succeeding Mass or a Celebration of God’s Word and receive the ashes from those celebrations.

The Rite may be found on page 6. The same rite must also be used for those who could not come to Mass due to sickness.

Ashes on the forehead are imposed in the form of a cross with any of the two formulae.

First Sunday of Lent

The First Sunday of Lent is an overture of what Lent is and a paradigm of a believer’s life. We are called to cling to God and his Word in times when we are tested. In the first reading, the Israelites profess their faith and respond to the God who saved them from Egypt. The second reading tells us that we who profess our faith in Christ will not be put to shame. The Gospel is the narrative of the Lord’s Temptation in the desert according to Luke.

As the First Sunday of Lent, the Entrance Song may be the Litany of the Saints. Also, those who are to be baptized may be introduced to the community.

In places where there is such an Initiation, readings from Cycle A may be used.

Second Sunday of Lent

The Second Sunday of Lent gives us a preview of the glory of the resurrection. In the Gospel according to Luke, the emphasis is Jesus’ willingness to pass through suffering and death. This passage and the resulting resurrection should be the lens by which the faithful should also see their own passage from death to life. The first reading speaks of a promise of God to Abram, a promise he fulfills once Abram goes into covenant with him. The second reading speaks of a glorification of our earthly bodies just as Christ’s earthly body was glorified after he suffered and died.

Third Sunday of Lent

The Third Sunday of Lent for Cycle C has the theme of the necessity for repentance. The Gospel speaks of the parable of the fig tree after comments about the death of certain Galileans. Jesus teaches us that it is not just those who are punished that die but everyone who does not bear fruit like the fig tree. God, however, gives time for repentance. The first reading speaks of Moses’ call to free the Israelites from Egypt in the name of God. The second reading picks up from the first – it teaches that the Israelites got lost in the desert because God wasn’t pleased with them. And so we who know better should repent and be pleasing to God.

When there are Catechumens, the first scrutiny is done during this Sunday and the readings from Cycle A are used.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

The Fourth Sunday is Laetare Sunday, the Sunday of praising. The sanctuary may be decorated with flowers and musical instruments may be played in the usual manner but still subdued compared to the full blast on Easter.

The theme for this Sunday is reconciliation as reflected in the Gospel passage which is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The parable is situated after Jesus is questioned for eating with public sinners. The image of Jesus eating with sinners is an appropriate image of the eucharist. Jesus welcomes all of us who are sinners into his table and feeds us just as God feeds the Israelites, who had reconciled with him, with manna and the fruits of his land (Reading I) and the merciful father in the parable who welcomes back and makes a feast for his prodigal son who has come back from death. The second reading calls us to be reconciled with God.

When there are Catechumens, the second scrutiny is done during this Sunday and the readings from Cycle A are used.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

The fifth Sunday of Lent has the theme of forgiveness. The Lord does something new and forgets the things of the past and by his grace, gives life back to the barren desert (Reading I). It is through Jesus who makes it possible for us to be reconciled to God that we are forgiven; we leave the things of the past and hold on to our faith in him (Reading II). The Gospel is about the adulterous unnamed woman whom Jesus saves from stoning and admonishes to sin no more.

When there are Catechumens, the third scrutiny is done during this Sunday and the readings from Cycle A are used.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

This Sunday is both an opening for the Holy Week and the celebration of the Passion for the Sunday Cycle. The first part of the Eucharistic celebration commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the week before he died. The second part celebrates his passion and death.

Holy Week

Holy Week has as its purpose the remembrance of Christ’s passion, beginning with his Messianic entrance into Jerusalem. At the chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning the bishop, concelebrating Mass with his body of priests, blesses the oils and consecrates the chrism (GNLYC 31).

During Holy Week the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his life on earth, beginning with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. The Lenten season lasts until the Thursday of this week. The days of Holy Week, from Monday to Thursday inclusive, have precedence over all other celebrations. It is not fitting that Baptisms and Confirmations be celebrated on these days (PS 27).

Feast of the Chair of Peter (22 February)

The Feast of the Chair of Peter finds its origin in the Roman feast of Paternalia, which is a commemoration of the dead ancestors, the dead father. The feast of the chair of Peter is a Christianized version of this Roman feast, this time celebrating the chair of the Romans’ father in faith – Saint Peter, its first bishop, and the office of the Pope as the father of faith of the entire Church.

The sanctuary may be decorated with flowers. During the Mass, the Gloria is sung but the alleluia is not. The Credo is also not said.

Solemnity of Saint Joseph (19 March)

Refer to the article on page and to the Ordo. The sanctuary may be decorated with flowers. One image of Saint Joseph may be placed in the sanctuary adorned with flowers. The Gloria is sung and the Credo is said. The Alleluia is still not sung.

Solemnity of the Annunciation (25 March)

This solemnity is not so much a Lenten feast than a feast in anticipation of Christmas. The Annunciation is part of the Christmas cycle as it marks the event wherein the angel of the Lord announced to Mary her role in the work of salvation and the start of Mary’s pregnancy. On this day, the sanctuary may be decorated with flowers. The Gloria is sung and the Credo is said. The Alleluia is not sung.

Penitential Celebrations

During the season of Lent, celebrations that are meant to foster meditation on God’s Word and prompt the faithful to be reconciled with God are encouraged. The Order for these celebrations may be found in first volume of the Rites of the Catholic Church. Copies may be requested from the DMLA office or through email.

On the Issue of “Baccalaureate” Masses

“Baccalaureate” Masses must follow the liturgy of the day according to the Ordo. The Eucharist is always a celebration of the Paschal Mystery and not merely a backdrop for another occasion.

Since most, if not all, “Baccalaureate” Masses occur during the Season, it is a must that the spirit of the season be observed. The Gloria, unless it is a solemnity, and the Alleluia should not be sung.

Diplomas and medals may be brought in procession during the Entrance and not the Preparation of Gifts. Bread and wine and gifts for the poor may always be brought in the procession of gifts. Symbolic offerings are liturgically unsound.

The proper of the Baccalaureate Mass is found in the Supplement to the Roman Sacramentary.

Jeffrey Velasco

Quadragesima: Lent, a 40-day preparation for Easter

To understand the Season of Lent and to celebrate it more meaningfully, we must first look at the event that follows it - the Easter Triduum.

The Easter Triduum celebrates the Paschal Mystery (Jesus Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection), which is at the heart of the Christian Faith. The Easter Triduum is the most important and solemn of all celebrations and is the summit of our Liturgical Year.

Lent is a season of preparation and repentance. For catechumens, Lent provides the time for final preparation before baptism at Easter. For the baptized, it is a time for recalling the promises of our baptism, realizing how we have failed to live up to them sometimes, and being led to repentance for these faults. Thus, Lent is a time of spiritual purification, conversion, and preparation to worthily celebrate the salvation that Christ won for all.

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday and ends on the afternoon of Holy Thursday. The forty days of Lent are reminiscent of certain events in our Faith: the 40-day great flood during Noah’s time, the 40-year journey of the Israelites in the desert and Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert. We begin the season by putting crosses made of ashes on our foreheads as a reminder of our baptism (cross) and our repentance for failing in our promises (ashes). This sign of penance signifies the human condition of the sinner (guilt before the Lord and inner conversion expressed exteriorly). This sign also marks the beginning of the way of conversion (developed through the sacrament of penance).

During these forty days, catechumens prepare for their baptism with intense prayer, catechism, and participation in the rites of the Lenten Liturgy by which they are gradually initiated into the Church as the Christian community prays for them.

Be More Attentive to God’s Word

The readings for the season of Lent have been carefully chosen to prepare the faithful for Easter. We are therefore encouraged to have greater attentiveness to the Word of God. Sunday homilies are good opportunities for catechesis on the Paschal Mystery and the sacraments. As much as possible, the texts of the Lectionary are carefully explained, especially the diverse aspects of baptism and the other sacraments in connection with the mercy of God. The faithful should attend weekday Mass. If Mass attendance is not possible, we are encouraged to do the readings, privately or with our families.

Be Reconciled

Penance is defined as the detestation of sin as an offense against God. The virtue and practice of penance is a necessary part of the preparation for Easter. According to law and tradition, the faithful should approach the sacrament of Reconciliation during this season so that with purified hearts, we may participate in the Paschal Mystery. Pastors should devote themselves to the ministry of reconciliation and provide sufficient time for the faithful to avail of this sacrament.

Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving are the tripod of Christian spirituality. All Christian faithful are bound to do penance by virtue of divine law. Penitential days are prescribed in which the Christian faithful pray, exercise works of piety and charity, and deny ourselves by fulfilling our responsibilities more faithfully, especially by observing fasting and abstinence (CIC 1249). All Fridays throughout the year are penitential days throughout the universal Church (CIC 1250).

Proclaim a Fast

Fasting is eating only one full meal for the entire day and just smaller meals or snacks to sustain physical activity. It does not prohibit taking food in the morning and evening, observing local custom (Poenitemini III, 1-2). We fast so we can share, not for aesthetic or superficial purposes. Fasting clears the mind to make it more focused on Christ. We share the food or money saved from voluntary fasting with those who are forced to fast because of poverty. Fasting is obligatory for those who have reached the age of majority (18) until the beginning of their sixtieth year (midnight of 59th birthday and the next day) (CIC 1252).

Fasting is also reflected in the liturgical environment during Lent. We fast from the usual festiveness of Sunday. The altar is not decorated with flowers (fasting of the eyes) and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to singing (fasting of the ears). We also omit the alleluia in all celebrations even in solemnities and feasts. The chants to be sung in the celebrations, especially in the Eucharist, and devotional exercises should be in harmony with the spirit of the season and the liturgical texts.

Abstinence

Abstinence from meat is to be observed on Fridays throughout the year unless they are solemnities (CIC 1251), Ash Wednesday and Friday of the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ (CIC 1251). Abstinence forbids the use of meat but not of eggs, the products of milk or condiments of animal fat. Abstinence is a must for all persons who have completed their fourteenth year (CIC 1252).

Pray More

During this season, we are encouraged to pray more. Besides attending weekday Mass and reflecting on the Word of God, we are encouraged to do devotional exercises that are in harmony with the Lenten season such as the Way of the Cross and the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows. Lenten observance should witness to and foster the life of the local Church.

Give More

This season challenges us to do Christian charity through almsgiving. We sacrifice and deny ourselves food and certain luxuries so we can give more to those in need. In Isaiah 58, 5ff, the Lord says that the fasting that he is looking for is ‘releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke, sharing bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless, clothing the naked, and not turning the back on one’s own.’ Almsgiving should not just be giving from our excess or surplus. Real charity is giving even if it hurts. And almsgiving is not simply giving for the sake of giving, but giving because of love and the desire for the development of the recipient.

Come Back to Life

In conclusion, the word Lent means “spring,” the change from the deadness of cold winter to the warm rays of summer. It is a return to life. Our Lent is also our transition from sin and death to life – the life that Christ gained for us through his passion and death and triumphant resurrection. With fasting, prayer and abstinence, we renew ourselves and turn back to God so that we may fully celebrate the joy of Christ’s redemption on Easter Sunday.

based on the lecture of Fr. Michell Joe Zerrudo, prepared by Jeff