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Lenten regulations assist our spiritual life
archived from: 2013-02-08
by: FATHER LAWRENCE A DINARDO

Ash Wednesday is coming Feb. 13 The liturgical season of Lent is less than a week away. Its message and reality will be felt when, on Ash Wednesday, we hear the reminder of the church, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.” The Lenten call to repentance is a continuing challenge of the Gospels, so that we may grow and develop in our spiritual life. None of us should remain satisfied with our level of Christian awareness or the quality of our Christian living. The grace of God awaits us. We can let Lent pass unheeded or grasp it with faith and love.

Since Lent retains its ancient appeal to the penitential spirit of the people of God, priests and deacons are asked to remind their people urgently and prayerfully to make the entire Lenten season a period of special observance and prayer.

Ash Wednesday

Pastors are reminded that Ash Wednesday is celebrated on Feb. 13. Ashes are to be distributed on that day either during the celebration of the Mass or at a Liturgy of the Word. One cannot anticipate Ash Wednesday by the distribution of ashes on Tuesday evening nor can one distribute ashes during the Sunday Masses on the First Sunday of Lent. This norm is to be interpreted strictly.

Lenten regulations

1. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence in the United States.

2. The obligation of abstinence (refraining from eating meat) begins at the age of 14. The law of fasting (limiting oneself to one full meal and two lighter meals) obliges all between the ages of 18-59. No one should consider this obligation lightly.

3. Those individuals who have a medical condition in which fasting may be considered harmful are not obliged to fast, but should perform some other act of penance or charity.

4. Pastors and parents are to see to it that minors, though not bound by the law of fast and abstinence, are educated in the authentic sense of penance and encouraged to do acts of penance suitable to their age.

5. All members of the Christian faithful are encouraged to do acts of penance and charity during the Lenten season beyond what is prescribed by the law.

6. As a general rule, a request for a dispensation from the obligation of abstinence on Fridays of Lent will not be considered unless some serious reason is present. The attendance at social events, banquets, wedding rehearsals or receptions, or funeral wakes are not considered sufficient reason to request a dispensation.

Father DiNardo is diocesan vicar for canonical services.

 

 

 

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