Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by web manager
THE IDEA BEHIND ASHES
Ashes signify three things: penance, cleansing and insignificance. When speaking to God, Abraham said, “I am but dust and ashes (Gen 18:27).” He humbled himself before the Lord. Ashes are used to express sorrow for sin. In earlier times, those who had caused great scandal by their sins were required to do public penance. Part of their penance included standing before the church door covered in ashes. From this practice grew the custom of placing ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent as a sign of humility and penance. The words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” remind us of this.
PRAY MORE DURING LENT
Spend more time in prayer during Lent. Attend daily Mass. Mass is celebrated at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Saint Patrick’s and Tuesdays and Thursdays at Saint Luke’s. Daily Mass is also celebrated at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays at Saint Patrick’s. Say a daily Rosary. Go to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration at Saint Patrick’s is on Fridays from 7 am to 6 p. and at Saint Luke’s on Thursdays from 9 am to 8 pm. Attend Stations of the Cross and Benediction. Stations at Saint Patrick’s are on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm followed by a soup supper and at Saint Luke’s on Fridays at 5:30 pm. Pick up and use a copy of “The Word Among Us.” It has daily prayers and devotions for Lent you can use at home or at Mass.
PERFORM ACTS OF PENANCE DURING LENT
Make extra Sacrifices during Lent. Give up something such as alcohol or candy or TV or Facebook, or do something extra such as visiting the sick or assisting at a food shelf.
GIVE ALMS DURING LENT
You are encouraged to give alms during Lent. One way you can do this is by participating in the Rice Bowl program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. Your contributions will go to help the world’s poor.
TAKE TIME TO STUDY YOUR FAITH DURING LENT
Learn more about your faith. Read a chapter of the Bible each day or a few pages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
GO TO CONFESSION DURING LENT
Make sure you use the Sacrament of Penance and go to Confession sometime during Lent. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and He offers us His mercy and forgiveness in this great Sacrament. All of us should use this Sacrament regularly, but especially during Lent.
LENTEN REGULATIONS
- Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in Lent are days of Abstinence from eating meat. All persons 14 and over are required to abstain from eating meat on these days – this includes those over 60 – there is no upper age limit. Note that this law also pertains to most high school students. If meatless meals are not served at school, parents should see to it that their children bring a bag lunch.
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of Fasting. All persons from the age of 18 up until their 60th birthday are required to fast on those days. This means eating one normal meal and two smaller meals equal to one normal meal. No food may be taken between meals.
LINK TO THE UNITED STATES BISHOPS ARTICLES AND INFORMATION ON LENT
VIDEOS EXPLAINING LENT:
