Ash Wednesday Prayer

Merciful God,
You called us forth from the dust of the earth;
You claimed us for Christ in the waters of baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days
Bearing the mark of ashes,
And bless our journey through the desert of Lent
To the font of rebirth.
May our fasting be hunger for justice;
Our alms, a making of peace;
Our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus,
For in his cross you proclaim your love
For ever and ever. Amen.

Lenten Celebrations

Know the season and our practices.

The annual Lenten season is the fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, both with the rite of election and scrutinizes, and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for their renewal of their baptismal promises (Cæremoniale episcoporum, 249).

• Lent runs from Ash Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper exclusive on Holy Thursday.
• Lenten weekdays are not commemorated on solemnities and feasts. Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week take precedence over all solemnities and feasts.
• All memorials of saints occurring during Lent are observed as optional. Hence, they may be omitted or observed as commemorations.
• Alleluia is not sung or said from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil.
• During Lent the altar should not be decorated with flowers and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing. On the Fourth Sunday of Lent (“Lætare”) and on solemnities and feasts, musical instruments may be played and the altar decorated with flowers.

Fast and Abstinence Regulations

• Catholics who have celebrated their 14th birthday are to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent and Good Friday.
• In addition to abstaining from meat, Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday, until they celebrate their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to this regulation may eat only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals in not permitted.

On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, drinking liquids during the day is permitted.
When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. If you are in doubt concerning fast or abstinence, a priest assigned to pastoral ministry or confessor should be consulted. In the spirit of penance, the faithful should not lightly excuse themselves from this obligation.

Baptisms and Marriages During Lent

Baptisms and marriages are not forbidden during Lent, however, the unique character of the season prompts us to make some adjustments to our regular patterns of celebrating these Sacraments.

Baptism: Canon 867 obliges parents “to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks.” Therefore, it is understandable that infant baptisms might be scheduled during the first few weeks of Lent, but perhaps put off from the later weeks of Lent until the Easter Season. It is not fitting that infant Baptisms be celebrated on the days of Holy Week leading up to the Easter Triduum. However, at all times, an infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

Marriage: Marriages may be celebrated within Mass during Lent, however, the prohibition against floral decorations at the altar during Lent, with the exception of the fourth Sunday, must be observed. Likewise, in accord with the penitential character of the season, lavish wedding decorations of any sort are discouraged during Lent.