| Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Ash Wednesday / Miércoles de Ceniza Lent begins Join us to hear the Word of God and receive ashes as a sign of repentance. 7 a.m. Mass in English 8:30 a.m. All-School Mass in English 2 p.m. Liturgy of the Word in English 6:30 p.m. Mass in English 8 p.m. Misa en español at Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago |
Fridays in Lent
beginning Friday, February 19, 2010
6:30 p.m. Stations in English
7:30 p.m. Viacrucis en español
Lenten Fast Laws
These laws are to be seriously observed unless there is a significant reason of health which would dispense a person from these laws. Or, if you find yourself at a function where the menu is out of your control, such as a Friday wedding or business luncheon and meat is served, Catholics may eat meat at that one, particular meal on that Friday and choose another meal on another day at which they would not eat meat to make up for the Friday meal at which meat was eaten.
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday:
All Catholics who are between the ages of 18 and 58 are to fast, or take only one full meal on these days with two other meals being substantial enough only to maintain minimal strength according to one’s needs. All Catholics between the ages of 18 and 58 are not permitted to eat solid foods between meals on these two days. Liquids are permitted. All Catholics not included in the above age span of 18 to 58 who are physically able to keep the laws are encouraged to do so as their own choice.
On Ash Wednesday, All Fridays of Lent and Good Friday:
All Catholics who have reached the age of 14 are not to eat meat at any meal or between meals. Fridays are totally meatless days unless a diet for the maintenance of health must include meat. All Catholics, even those under 14, with their parents’ consent and encouragement, are invited to join this Lenten sacrifice of not eating meat on Fridays.
Personal Sacrifices:
The Bishops of the United States have written: “We strongly recommend participation in daily Masses or Communion Services. We recommend personally chosen, self-imposed observing of fasting and self-denial during Lent. Also, in light of the great human needs which weigh on the Christian conscience, we urge particularly during Lent, generosity to local, national and world programs of sharing things needed to translate our duty to penance into a means of implementing the right of the poor to their part of the world’s abundance.” You are urged to choose your own personal Lenten sacrifice or prayer.
