Ash Wednesday marks the start of a liturgical season of preparation before Easter. During Lent, the Catholic Church calls upon the faithful to observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline, as they reflect upon the life, teachings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As the Why Catholic? program launched last fall in the diocese resumes the second half of its Year One sessions, many will find the program a perfect fit during Lent. In the program, people gather in small groups in parishes throughout the diocese to increase their understanding of what the church teaches, and how it directly relates to the Scriptures.
A number of people participating in the Why Catholic small study groups received the bulk, if not all, of their formal Catholic faith education prior to Vatican II. But participants in the program are not just those who once memorized the Baltimore Catechism. There are people who received their Catholic education in the early years after Vatican II, young adults, and people who became Catholics through RCIA. These group sessions afford people a great opportunity to broaden and improve their understanding of not only what the church teaches, but why. Linking Scripture to the Catechism teaching, as this program does, fills in the blanks for many.
Wonderful resources are available in Catholic bookstores, through Catholic Web sites, and by seeking suggestions from pastors, DREs, or on the diocesan Web site (www.dio.org) on the right side on the blog section, click on Lenten Resources.
Fasting, having only one full meal a day, with the other two meals not equaling a full meal, is required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence forbids the use of meat on Ash Wednesdays and on Fridays in Lent, but eggs, milk products and condiments made of animal fat are not considered meat.
Prayer should an integral part of Catholic life throughout the year. But during Lent some people make a special effort to pray a little more. Praying the rosary together as a family, blessing yourself before you start your car, or blessing your children before they leave for school, might take some time to become a routine in your home. But what a routine it could be!
Attending Mass daily or prayer services several times a week, making the Way of the Cross, or volunteering at a food pantry or a soup kitchen like St. John's Breadline, are things some people choose to do during Lent.
Throughout the year, no matter where we go, what we do, we all have an opportunity to be ambassadors for our Catholic faith. During Lent we have the opportunity to show others what Catholics are really all about. We are children of God.