A CATHOLIC COMMUNITY EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS.
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Video: What is Lent?
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Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving
Lent is the Church's primary penitential season in the liturgical year. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. The season has six Sundays: the final one, known as Passion (or Palm) Sunday, begins Holy Week. The origin of Lenten observances dates back to the fourth century or earlier. The length of the season reflects the forty days Christ spent praying and fasting in the desert (see Matthew 4: 1-11) and is a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter.
In order to be fully immersed in the Lenten experience, the Church gives us three extraordinary ways to draw closer into this mystery: Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.
Prayer: Prayer is conversation with God. It is essential for fasting and almsgiving because prayer gives us the strength to fast. Pope Francis said, “Lent is a privileged time for prayer.” In prayer, we draw closer in relationship with God. Relationship with God makes us grateful for the blessings we have received. Prayer is the cornerstone of our Lenten journey and is vital to all of our actions in life.
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Fasting & Abstinence: In addition to the above traditional forms, try fasting from social media, technology, gossip, and excessive screen time. Fasting reminds us of our hunger for God.
Almsgiving: Almsgiving (giving) is a response to God, one that we can come to through prayer and fasting. It is a way to live out our gratitude for all that God has given us, reflecting on the realization that we are the Body of Christ, responsible for each other.
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