Lent

Lent is a season of preparation for Easter renewal as we are invited to undergo conversion of mind, heart and ways of acting.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends just prior to the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday when the Paschal Triduum begins.  Lent is the principal penitential season in the Church year.  All the Christian faithful are urged to develop and maintain a voluntary program of self-denial (in addition to the Lenten regulations found below), serious prayer, and the performing of deeds of charity and mercy, including the giving of alms.  Let us give prayerful consideration as to what we need to do as we enter this holy season.  Fr. John Nolan

Lenten Regulations:

Abstinence Everyone 14 years of age and over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.

Fast Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 is required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is permitted.  Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each person’s needs, but together these two meals should not equal another full meal.  Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids (including milk and fruit juices) are allowed.

For ideas on how you can make this Lent more meaningful look through the various pages on our website:

Lenten Activities (at St. Joe's and beyond)

St. Joe's Lenten Challenge

Family Lenten Activities

Lenten Reading Plan with Church Fathers