Just Lent

This year the Dublin Diocesan Office of Mission & Ministry is inviting us to use the Just Lent Resource, with a strong focus on social justice. Each week there is the same prayer and a connection with the Sunday scriptures, with a short reflection. There is also a key quote connecting to the theme. This is followed by questions for reflection following the method of see, discern and act.

Lent is a season of penance, reflection and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Pope Francis on the importance of Confession:
‘In life we all make many mistakes. Let us learn to recognise our errors and ask forgiveness.’ (on Twitter)

‘God never tires of forgiving us; it is we who get tired of asking for pardon.’

‘Forgiveness of our sins is not something we can give ourselves...The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing...I tell you, each time we go to confession, God embraces us. God rejoices! Let us go forward on this road. May God bless you!’ (at a general audience in 2014)

desert

The Meaning of Lent

The English word ‘Lent’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Lencten, meaning ‘Spring’. In other languages (French carême, Italian quaresima, Spanish cuaresma) the word comes from the Latin, Quadragesima – a period of 40 days. In the Christian tradition, the 40 days is understood to refer to a time of intense prayer and preparation; we remember the biblical stories of Noah and the flood of 40 days, the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness and Christ’s 40-day fast in the desert in preparation for his earthly ministry.

Why we do penance

Penance arises from the Lord’s call to conversion and repentance and is an essential part of all genuine Christian living:

  • in memory of the passion and death of the Lord
  • as a sharing in Christ’s suffering
  • as an expression of inner conversion
  • as a form of reparation for sin.

Lent is the traditional season for renewal and penance but Catholics also observe each Friday of the year as days of penance. The link between Friday and penance is extremely ancient and is even reflected in the Irish word for Friday – An Aoine (the fast).

Some suggestions on observing Friday Penance during Lent are:

  • Make a special effort at family prayer
  • Make the Stations of the Cross
  • Do something to help the poor, sick or lonely
  • Make a special effort to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Abstain from meat or some other food.

Why we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday

‘Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.’

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us to develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolise penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

(from www.catholicbishops.ie; or visit the Lent page on Facebook)

 

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Today’s Mass Readings .
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Weekday Mass at 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays only for
the coming weeks.
No Mass on Mon, Wed or Fridays. Weekend Masses as usual.
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Building Hope
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Pilgrim God, we give you thanks and praise.
You constantly journey with us even in our darkness and doubts.
We seek your way of loving kindness to walk together as one family.
Open our eyes to recognise you in the faces of one another,
in the breaking of bread and in the splendour of creation.
May the risen Christ sow seeds of hope and new life deep within us.
May our hearts and minds be filled with your Word, bringing forth truth, justice and peace.
May the Holy Spirit working in and through us do much more
than we can dare to imagine as we live out our baptismal calling in humble and loving service.
We make this our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
St Laurence O’Toole, pray for us.
St Kevin, pray for us.
St Brigid, pray for us.

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